Urban Development

Planning the Paris of the Future

French President Sarkozy's call for 'audacious' plans for a Paris of the future has been answered by some of the world's top architects and designers, but some wonder how any of the plans can work within the constraints of the existing city.

June 3, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

What IS Mixed-Use, Anyway?

"Mixed-use"? "transit-oriented development"? Development in Farmington, Utah hits a wall while the planning commission debates definitions.

June 2, 2008 - The Salt Lake Tribune

On the Brink? Miami's Downtown Struggles To Revitalize

While mega-condo developments are enlivening districts in and around Miami's urban core, a long moribund downtown business district struggles to keep up. Many hope that small improvements will make a big difference in the area's quest for vitality.

June 2, 2008 - The Miami Herald

New Palestinian City Planned in West Bank

A developer has plans for a new Palestinian city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which he says would be the first new city in the West Bank in thousands of years. But he is still awaiting approval on a crucial road.

June 1, 2008 - NPR

The Job Of Quenching Las Vegas' Thirst

With some predicting that this fast growing metropolis will run out of water within the decade, the head of the region's water authority has a tough job ahead.

May 29, 2008 - Metropolis Magazine

Did Houston's Lack Of Zoning Shield It From The Housing Meltdown?

A recent report by a Federal Reserve Bank senior economist argues that Houston's resiliency during the ongoing housing crisis is due in part to its lack of zoning regulations.

May 29, 2008 - The Houston Chronicle

A 'One Size Fits All' Rule For Affordable Housing Doesn't Work

Requiring all cities and towns to building affordable housing is bad policy. The focus should be on building housing in existing urban areas near jobs and transit, not in rural and suburban towns.

May 29, 2008 - The New York Times

The Bronx Pushes to Revitalize the 'Highway to Nowhere'

A remnant of Robert Moses' famous push to raze neighborhoods and build highways in their place, the Sheridan Expressway is ripe for revitalization. A local advocate believes that now "the stars are aligned" for it to happen.

May 28, 2008 - The Gotham Gazette

A Green And Solar Roof How-To

The installation of a green roof and solar array on the rooftop of the new WGBH building in Boston is captured on video.

May 27, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Debating Architecture In Las Vegas

This article from the Las Vegas Sun asks whether siting two blatantly different architectural styles right next to each other is necessarily a bad thing.

May 27, 2008 - Las Vegas Sun

Prefab Apartments Slated For Seattle

A local commercial property developer has built two prototype units and announced plans to erect a 62 unit complex -- claiming the factory built units will cost 15 percent less then traditional housing.

May 27, 2008 - The Seattle Times

Will LEED-ND Discourage Affordable Housing?

Critics worry that cities who require new developments to meet LEED-ND standards will sacrifice affordable housing for sustainability.

May 27, 2008 - Washington Business Journal

Chicago's Michigan Avenue Endangered

One of Chicago's most famous streetscapes is threatened by proposed new towers.

May 25, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

UK 'Eco-Towns' May Encourage Sprawl

Plans for the construction of "eco-towns" in the UK have sparked protests from groups who argue that they will be too spread out and will encourage sprawl.

May 23, 2008 - Telegraph

Oklahoma City Highway to Be Replaced with Park

At one time, Oklahoma City is doing two things many cities have only hoped to: the city's getting rid of one of its aging inner-city highways and replacing it with a park.

May 22, 2008 - USA Today

Duany Plans For 'Urban Agriculture' in B.C.

Andres Duany led a recent charrette in Tsawwassen, B.C., resulting in a unique plan focused on walkability and local agriculture.

May 21, 2008 - Delta Optimist

Is New Urbanism A 'Last Gasp' Attempt to Reform Suburbanism?

Plans to bring New Urbanist designs into British Columbia will do little to stem suburban sprawl, according to this column from the Globe and Mail.

May 21, 2008 - The Globe & Mail

The Sprawling Megapolitan Region of Utah

Sprawl is consuming small towns in Utah, and creating one of the largest megapolitan regions in the U.S.

May 21, 2008 - Deseret Morning News

Engaging The Public In Land Use Decisions

A committee in Baltimore charged with the task of encouraging more public involvement in land use decisions is learning how difficult that can be as it faces criticism that its own meetings didn't get enough participation from residents.

May 21, 2008 - The Baltimore Sun

Developer To SF: Let's Make A Deal On Affordable Housing

Hoping to head off a competing ballot measure, Miami-based developer Lennar Corp. has voluntarily agreed to set aside 3,200 of the planned 10,000 homes on San Francisco's Hunters and Candlestick Point for low- and moderate-income families.

May 20, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

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.