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.
What IS Mixed-Use, Anyway?
"Mixed-use"? "transit-oriented development"? Development in Farmington, Utah hits a wall while the planning commission debates definitions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chicago's Michigan Avenue Endangered
One of Chicago's most famous streetscapes is threatened by proposed new towers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
