Urban Development

Living Well In The Era Of High Gas Prices

Want to learn how Americans can maintain a high standard of living in an era of sky-high gas prices? Just look at Europeans, who've been going it for decades, argues economist Paul Krugman.

May 20, 2008 - The New York Times

Trading Planning Tips With Shanghai

While the city's regional approach is the envy of many American planners, Shanghai is also guilty of top-down planning that may end up encouraging sprawl.

May 20, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

Did Smart Growth Policies Save Oregon's Housing Market?

Oregon's housing market has faired far better than other areas of the country, with some experts agreeing that the state's more restrictive land-use policies helped to prevent an oversupply of homes during the free-wheeling mortgage years.

May 19, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Coping With Vacant Big Boxes

To deal with the problem of vacant big-box stores that have proliferated across the country, one Milwaukee suburb is levying a fee on developers to help pay for demolition. Other cities are exploring similar options.

May 19, 2008 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Debunking The Myths About TOD

Responding to critics of Denver's planned TOD developments, TOD expert John Renne responds to four common misconceptions about transit-oriented development.

May 19, 2008 - The Rocky Mountain News

The Importance Of Street Parking

New research from the University of Connecticut shows that on-street parking is a key ingredient in a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly downtown.

May 19, 2008 - The Hartford Courant

California Land Conservation Agreement Will Create Sprawl

A recent agreement between developers and environmental groups puts the conservationists in the unfortunate position of not being able to oppose a plan that is the epitome of sprawl, according this editorial.

May 19, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Dirty Politics Keeping Sprawl Alive in Florida

This commentary claims that dirty politics have prevented Florida voters from being able to control sprawl in their communities.

May 19, 2008 - The Orlando Sentinel

Saving and Improving Slums

This article from the Harvard Design Magazine looks at slums in Latin America and discusses the important role they play in their cities. Preserving the positive qualities of these communities is increasingly preferred over slum clearance.

May 19, 2008 - Harvard Design Magazine

Redevelopment Induced Sprawl

In Kansas City, many tax increment financing zones are simply luring existing business to move and creating new sprawling development.

May 18, 2008 - The Pitch

Planning For The Sun Corridor

A new report focuses on the expected growth of the Phoenix-Tuscon "Sun Corridor" to 10 million residents by 2030, and highlights the challenges and opportunities for this megapolitan region.

May 18, 2008 - East Valley Tribune

The Newest 'Made In China' Item: Hotels

Hotel operator Travelodge is planning to build pre-fabricated hotels in Shenzhen that can be assembled in locales in need of a short term boost in rooms -- such as Olympic host cities.

May 17, 2008 - The Times

The Placemaking Power Of Artists

A recent conference focused on how planners use the transformative effect that artists bring to a community to help jump start urban revitalization.

May 16, 2008 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cities Want Banks To Pay For Blight Caused By Foreclosures

Minneapolis is one of several cities that have filed lawsuits against mortgage companies, seeking damages for the blight caused by the large number of foreclosures in some of its neighborhoods.

May 16, 2008 - USA Today

Cities Should Be Like Pizza

Keeping land uses separate is like keeping the ingredients of pizza separate, according to Congress for New Urbanism President John Norquist. The result is an urban pie that doesn't taste as good as it could.

May 16, 2008 - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

A Tale Of Two Visions For A Waterfront

Activists in Jersey City are suing over plans to replace a fledgling waterfront arts district with new high-rises. The city says the land, which is next to commuter and light rail stations, is best used for "smart growth" high-density housing.

May 15, 2008 - The New York Times

The Long Road To A Green Atlanta

Typically considered a poster child for sprawl, Atlanta's leaders and residents are now trying to steer the city's growth and development down a greener path.

May 15, 2008 - Grist.org

Sprawl Can Work, It Just Needs Fixing

If jobs and services are reoriented and public transport rethought, sprawling cities like Melbourne can mitigate the consequences of dwindling energy supplies, argues a recent column.

May 15, 2008 - The Age

Swapping A Sports Arena For More Vibrant Streetscape

Architects in Baltimore are arguing that the city should build its new arena near its other sports facilities, freeing up the old location for redevelopment that can help revitalize its downtown.

May 14, 2008 - The Baltimore Sun

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.