Urban Development
River Walk Leans Away From Tourism in San Antonio
San Antonio's River Walk is getting a new stretch of revitalized riverfront, but it's neither the utilitarian drainage ditch of the past nor the heavily sculpted tourist attraction of recent years.
'Smart Meter' System Not Popular With New York Landlords
In an effort to track and reduce energy use, large buildings in New York City have been eligible for a system that monitors energy use by the hour. But few building owners have signed up.
City Officials Try to Thwart Apartment Buildings
Officials in Reynoldsburg, Ohio are pushing through strict design guidelines with expensive requirements in an attempt to encourage high-end condos over rental apartments.
Exurbs Will Rise - Again
Grist writer Lisa Selin Davis argues that now is the time to make public transit a priority in serving outer suburbs, because the rebounding economy will inevitably lead to increased demand.
Auckland to Become "Party City" for Rugby World Cup
Already criticized for its sprawl, the largest city in New Zealand is putting on its game face as it prepares to host its largest sporting event ever - the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Inchvesting in Detroit
$1 will buy you one square inch of a vacant lot in Detroit, and membership in Jerry Paffendorf's club of "inchvestors." It may sound like a scheme, but Paffendorf calls it a way to network, invest in Detroit, and attract entrepreneurs.
Infrastructure Spending, Policy Benefit Suburbs and not Cities
Harvard economics professor Edward L. Glaeser argues that the United States has a long, pervasive pattern of anti-urban behavior that needs to change.
Boston Neighborhood Transforms Church into Housing
How grassroots organizers beat out commercial bidders, and overcame zoning hurdles to redevelop Catholic church into affordable housing.
Urbanites Make the Case for Goats as Pets
The don't bite. They don't need much space. They follow kids around like a dog. We're talking about miniature goats. Planning commissions across the country are being asked to moved the hooved animals into the "pet" category.
Las Vegas Land Worth 75% Less Than 2007 Peak
About half of commercial mortgage defaults in Las Vegas last year were for vacant land. With loans impossible to get and construction at a halt, vacant land is a hard sell.
Long Island Can Build Up, Or Out
That's the conclusion of a new report by The Long Island Index. Equal development can be achieved by building into the island's last greenfields or upwards from infill opportunities like underused parking lots.
A Bust to Follow China's Building Boom?
The economic stimulus of China has focused billions of dollars on building skyscrapers. Some wonder whether a building bust may soon follow.
Notable Architecture to Watch in 2010
This piece from Business Week lists the most anticipated architecture projects to watch in 2010.
Town Futures in Photoshop
A picture's worth a thousand plans - at least when it's a "photo-realistic visualization." Designer Steve Price's detailed 3D flash animations show towns what empty streetscapes and drab buildings could look like with a little bit of planning.
Container Housing Approved to Aid Haitians
Officials in the Dominican Republic have approved the creation of cities made of home built out of shipping containers -- part of efforts to aid earthquake-rattled Haiti.
A Flying Tour Through Downtown Tokyo
This video takes a futuristic tour of Tokyo -- through an editing technique that parallels the imagery to give the impression of weightless flight.
Collage of the Past and Present
Through a photo collage of historical and current pictures, artist Alden Cudanin documents the changes that have happened in Toronto Since the early 1900s.
The Meaning of Authenticity
Architecture critic John King reads Sharon Zukin's new book "Naked City: The Death and Life of Authentic Urban Spaces" and ruminates on the meaning of authenticity in his own hometown, San Francisco.
Massive Redevelopment Plan for Thames Gateway
An extensive redevelopment program is planned for East London, in an area one commenter calls "the land that God forgot."
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
