Urban Development
Construction-Defects Law Troubles Developers in Colorado
Aldo Svaldi reports on the beginnings of a condo boom in Denver, which faces risks of legal setbacks in the "litigious environment" created by Colorado's controversial construction-defects law.
'Showers on Wheels' and Other Design Interventions to Help the Homeless
Recent years have produced no dearth of design interventions to improve quality of life for wealthy urban dwellers, but some recent efforts in San Francisco are targeted to help the city's homeless population.
Michigan Economic Development Ideas Include Innovation Districts
Stakeholders in Michigan have bought in to the innovation district concept.

Outcry Over Manhattan's Latest 'Supertall' Developments
An article in The Guardian argues the side of New Yorkers opposed to a new round of high-rise development proposed for Manhattan.
Can the 2024 Olympics Help Boston Plan for a Better 2124?
Can the Olympic bid provide an impetus for long-range planning for the Boston metropolitan area?
The Evolution of Austin—Found on Sixth Street
A Dallas Morning News column illustrates the evolution of Austin by exploring the changes in the neighborhoods along the city's famous Sixth Street corridor.

Debunking Myths about NFL Stadium Construction
Political leaders in San Diego have spent years characterizing the city's NFL team as a regional asset, requiring a new stadium to keep in place. A column debunks some of the logic behind how and why behind some of that reasoning.
Critic: Development Proposal to Close for Comfort to Philadelphia's Rodin Museum
Architecture Critic Inga Saffron decries the development proposal making progress through the approval process in Philadelphia—a large, glassy residential building that would encroach on the tiny serenity of the Rodin Museum.

When 'Gentrification is Good'
Looking a little closer at a city not called New York, San Francisco, or Boston, one writer argues that gentrification is often a good thing.
Checking in on New York City's Affordable Housing Efforts
First, a new report from NYU's Furman Center details the evolving characteristics of subsidized rental housing in New York City. Second, the results from Mayor Bill de Blasio's affordable housing efforts are in from his first year in office.

A Small Town's Game-Changing Approach to Mapping
Portsmoth, New Hampshire has created textured, 3D maps of its historic district to help illustrate development impacts during the approval process.

Cleveland Skyscraper Design—with a Bridge at the 18th Floor—Raises Zoning Issues
A 54-story building currently under review in Cleveland would be city's the first skyscraper in a quarter-century—if it gains approval for some unique design components.
Can Atlantic City Rebound as a Family-Friendly Destination?
An ambitious Florida real estate developer has a plan to remake Atlantic City into a family-friendly destination by investing $500 million of his own money.

Three Cities Where New Immigrants Revitalized Main Street
Fusion lists three cities as examples of new immigrants becoming the face of community businesses in neighborhoods needing a boost.

Boston Getting a 61-Story Addition to its Skyline
Signaling Boston's new role in the global real estate market, a new $750 million high-rise began construction this week.
Bikeshare in Eugene Looking Like a Winner for 'ConnectOregon' Grants
Bike Portland reports that a state committee recommended a Eugene bikeshare system as a top priority for a new round of "ConnectOregon" grants.

A History of Non-Planning (and its Contemporary Effects)
An article by Woodbury University Professor Anthony Fontenot examines the effects of a history of opposition to planning as a centralized arm of the state, and proposes a way forward.
New Guide Provides Advice for Successful Regional Planning
Transportation for America has released "The Innovative MPO"—a guidebook of sorts that provides lessons in successful regional planning.

Study: For Transit Proximity, Think Beyond a Half-Mile
A recent study suggests that people consider transit proximity to be more flexible than planners often allow.

Never Built: The 1912 Plan to Expand Manhattan, Fill the East River
The blogosphere caught wind of a plan from 1912 that would have completely altered the geography of New York City as we know it. Make no little plans, indeed.
Pagination
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service