Urban Development

Bad Mortgages and Gas Prices = Good For Cities?

The article suggests that rising gas prices, enduring subprime mortgage crisis, and some changing demographics (i.e., the aging of Baby Boomers) are all contributing to the greater popularity of central city neighborhoods.

July 1, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Honolulu Gets Higher

A new condo proposal in a Honolulu neighborhood is 70 feet over the current height limits. Developers say new heights are necessary to make projects pencil out with rising construction costs.

July 1, 2008 - Honolulu Advertiser

Should Public Meetings Offer Translation?

Rezoning in New York's Lower East Side brings the issue of language to the fore, as members of the Spanish and Chinese communities find themselves unable to participate in important decisions about their neighborhoods.

July 1, 2008 - The New York Times

The Shaper of Boston

The Boston Globe features an extensive profile of Kairos Shen, the city's new chief planner. Shen has had a hand in shaping most major projects in Boston already, and is poised to be a key player in Boston's future.

June 30, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Land Use Takes Back Seat In CA's Global Warming Plan

Energy-efficient vehicles,buildings, appliances, low carbon fuels,and renewable energy took center stage in the Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan released June 26 by the CA Air Resources Board, a major step in meeting the landmark AB 32 climate goals

June 29, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

How Much Is Green Worth?

A recent conference in Austin, Texas, of real estate appraisers explored how they should incorporate green-building techniques and features into their assessment of properties.

June 27, 2008 - Austin Business Journal

Are Churches Causing Sprawl?

By moving out to areas where planning approvals are faster, rapidly-expanding churches are creating suburban sprawl, according to a recent study from researchers at Ryerson University.

June 27, 2008 - The Toronto Star

Bahamians Face Gentrification in Miami

Gentrification along Grand Avenue, the heart of Coconut's Grove Black and Bahamian community, has many residents fearing displacement and pushing for affordable housing inclusion.

June 26, 2008 - The Miami Herald

New San Francisco Parks Key to Neighborhood Vibrancy

Two new parks in San Francisco show how great neighborhoods are defined by their public spaces, according to this article from the San Francisco Chronicle.

June 25, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

One Blight Down, One To Go

In this op-ed piece, Kevin C. Phelan and Yanni Tsipis argue that Boston's 'Big Dig' has only fought half the battle, calling for a more proactive approach to building over the city's other auto sewer, the Massachusetts Turnpike.

June 24, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Presidential Candidate Calls on Mayors to Embrace Urban Growth

Building a strong country is reliant on strong urban regions, according to Senator Barack Obama, who recently spoke with a conference of U.S. mayors about the importance of urban growth. Federal funding, however, will be limited, he said.

June 23, 2008 - The New York Times

San FranYuppyland?

San Francisco's rapid loss of low and middle-income residents is taking a toll on the city's social fabric.

June 23, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

U.S. House Debates Smart Growth

The House Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming met Thursday to discuss smart growth and its ability to reduce energy use and emissions.

June 22, 2008 - Grist

'Alarming' Increases In Shopping Center Vacancies

Empty retail space increased dramatically over the last six months, according to data compiled by commercial real estate brokers and investment advisors.

June 20, 2008 - Home Town Advantage Bulletin

An Italian View of U.S. Planning

An Italian city planner visits San Diego to analyze sprawl-fighting techniques first-hand.

June 20, 2008 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Hong Kong's Challenges

Dwell talks with a prolific Hong Kong architect about his city and its development.

June 20, 2008 - Dwell

The Incredible Shrinking Home

A new AIA report shows that new homes under construction are getting smaller in response to market forces.

June 19, 2008 - AIArchitect

Creating a Place for Public Debate of City Planning and Design

Baltimore considers following in the footsteps of Paris, San Francisco and Copenhagen by opening a "design center", a place for people to gather and debate the design of their city.

June 17, 2008 - The Baltimore Sun

Does TOD Create More Traffic?

In Boston, the MBTA and city planners are weighing the benefits and drawbacks of creating transit-oriented development along a major traffic corridor.

June 17, 2008 - The Boston Globe

New Urbanism at 15

New Urbanism as a movement is fifteen years old this year; a state by state analysis by New Urban News shows steady growth (in some places more than others) and produced some surprises as well.

June 17, 2008 - New Urban News

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.