Urban Development

Wal-Mart Proposed Near Civil War Site Angers Historians

A proposed Wal-Mart retail center near a Civil War battlefield in Virginia has preservationists up in arms.

August 25, 2009 - NPR

Larger Apts., Less Density

New "Lifetime Homes" standards in the U.K., which are designed to accommodate people at all stages of life, will lead away from ultra-small flats to larger apartments, says Builder Magazine.

August 25, 2009 - Building

Has Dubai Jumped the Shark?

Some estimate that almost 50% of current projects in Dubai are on hold or canceled. Can Dubai recover from the financial crisis?

August 24, 2009 - Fast Company

The Middle Ground Between Moses and Jacobs

This article from Triple Canopy looks at the unrealized urban planning ideas of former New York City Mayor John Lindsay, which were somewhere in between Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses.

August 24, 2009 - Triple Canopy

American Dream 2.0

From the increase of city living to the decrease in vehicle miles traveled, a "new American Dream" is developing, according to Carol Coletta. But without cohesion, the benefits of these developments aren't likely to make a big impact.

August 22, 2009 - Good

Creating 'Eco-Districts'

Green buildings are great, but don't do too much if they're located in grossly un-green places. The city of Portland is trying to address the issue by creating "eco-districts".

August 21, 2009 - Governing

Sprawling in Beijing

Beijing could be heading towards a sprawling future, according to a new report from the World Bank. Despite expanding transit options, the location of jobs is pushing more people out from the center of the city.

August 20, 2009 - The New York Times Style Magazine

St. Joe Company's Big Plans and Drastic Impacts on Florida's Panhandle

The construction of a new airport and industrial district on Florida's panhandle characterizes the impact of the St. Joe Company, the state's biggest landowner and one in the midst of drastically changing the area's landscape.

August 19, 2009 - Miller-McCune

Michael Bloomberg: The Un-Moses

The New Yorker offers a long profile of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and highlights his efforts to "undo" the work of Robert Moses.

August 19, 2009 - The New Yorker

Recasting the Station as the Neighborhood Nucleus

Zoning changes around the train station in New Carrollton, Maryland seek to redefine the city into a more vibrant, walkable area. The changes have received preliminary approval.

August 18, 2009 - The Washington Post

First Small-Scale Urban Wind Turbines Rising

Developers in Portland has begun installation of a set of wind turbines atop a new tower in downtown Portland.

August 17, 2009 - Portland Business Journal

Recovery Through Self-Discovery

Some economists are starting to believe that the U.S. is on its way to economic recovery. But recovery from what, asks William Shutkin in this piece. He suggests the recovery should really be a discovery of better ways of developing and using land.

August 16, 2009 - Citiwire

As World Expo Host, Shanghai Aims for Bigger Splash Than Beijing

As the host of the 2010 World Expo, Shanghai is sparing no expense. Civic investment and projects are expected to eclipse those of Beijing when it hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics.

August 15, 2009 - The New York Times

Losing Business Because of Pay Parking? Charge More!

Parking guru Don Shoup was invited to speak in Santa Rosa as an expert on parking policies. Though the city is the only one in Sonoma County to charge for parking (to the chagrin of downtown merchants), it is considering building a 545-space garage.

August 14, 2009 - The Press Democrat

Banks Holding On To Toxic Real Estate Assets

The Congressional Oversight Committee tasked with looking into the economic crisis says in a new report that there is a continuing risk of banks holding onto troubled assets, including real estate. Minnesota Public Radio talks to noted experts.

August 14, 2009 - Minnesota Public Radio

Denver to Replace Public Housing Project with Mixed Use TOD

The Denver Housing Authority is planning on demolishing one of the city's oldest low-income public housing projects to make way for a new mixed-use, transit-oriented housing development.

August 13, 2009 - The Denver Post

Huge Redevelopment Project Coming to Sacramento

12,000 new homes could be coming to Sacramento over the next two decades -- part of a $5.3 billion redevelopment focused on the city's historic railyards.

August 13, 2009 - The New York Times

Understated Impact of Olympics on Vancouver

Iconic Olympic venues may not be the best take-away from next Winter's games in Vancouver. The real benefit for the city may be its new rapid transit line, according to this article.

August 13, 2009 - USA Today

Developers Eye High-Density Opportunities in California's High Speed Rail Hubs

Southern California developers are gearing up to pounce on the areas surrounding proposed high speed rail hubs that will make up California's statewide high speed rail line.

August 12, 2009 - San Diego Business Journal

Redevelopment Funds Take a Hard Hit in California

More than $2 billion has been cut from redevelopment programs in California's budget, which many say will exacerbate the building slowdown in the state.

August 11, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.