Urban Development
Transplanting The Vancouver Model To The Middle East
The man largely responsible for planning modern day Vancouver has found his next challenge in the Middle Eastern capital of Abu Dhabi.
Is Vancouver Ready For EcoDensity?
Already praised for its efforts at encouraging residential density in its urban core, Vancouver's mayor is pushing for a new EcoDensity charter that would push for higher densities citywide. But even in Vancouver, residents are wary of more density.
Keeping Construction Projects From Blocking Sidewalks
One Philadelphia councilman wants his city to follow the lead of more pedestrian-friendly New York and ensure that construction projects don't interfere with sidewalks.
Retail Space A Challenge For Many New Mixed-Use Developments
Mixed-use projects are all the rage, but often times, the ground floor retail storefronts remain empty long after residents have moved in.
The Biggest Parking Lots In The World
A rundown of the largest parking structures on the planet -- complete with photos and plans for a new 40,000 car structure in Dubai that is slated to take the crown when completed.
Urban Trends Erasing Rural Past
Rural communities in Ottawa are being wiped out as urban trends take over the minds of developers and consumers. Rural residents are looking at ways to preserve the character of their communities.
California's Growth Debate Continues Amidst Housing Slowdown
Sacramento Bee's political columnist Dan Walters discusses the California growth debate amidst the temporary development lull and questions whether the state is ready to embrace smart growth, despite recognizing that it reduces global warming.
Form-Based Zoning on Main Street
National Trust Main Street Center Program Officer Nick Kalogersis, AICP gives a primer on form-based zoning and its relavance to traditional commercial district revitalization.
City Accused Of Neglecting Community To Make Way For Redevelopment
Business and property owners in Willets Point, Queens have filed suit against New York City officials, claiming the city has deprived the area of basic services in order to declare the community blighted and begin redevelopment proceedings.
Missed Opportunity at D.C. Retail Development
In a part of D.C. that has been largely ignored as the rest of the city reinvents itself with mixed-use development and pedestrian friendly design, one new single-use retail development stands out as an example of what not to build.
Hollywood, Reborn and Transformed
By nearly any measure, the Los Angeles neighborhood of Hollywood has been radically transformed in the last 10 years, becoming a bar-hopper’s dream, a gourmet’s destination, and a rising shopping and housing district.
Downtown Salt Lake Will Get Its Sky Bridge
The controversial plan, which critics fear will hurt street life, gets the go ahead from the city council.
A Call For Smart Growth-Based New Towns
It's politics, not planning, that drives up housing costs. Rather than back away from regulations, more professional planning is needed to create healthy and affordable communities.
Encouraging Mixed-Use Big Box Retail
By requiring a minimum height of at least two stories, cities could force big boxes to redesign their buildings into more urban friendly forms.
40 Years Later, A Neighborhood's Comeback
The U street corridor in Washington D.C. was a flash point during the 1968 riots. Four decades later, the neighborhood is finally recovering from the aftermath.
Does Hiring A Starchitect Help Developers Get Approval?
Controversy surrounds a proposed 75-story tower designed by Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art in Midtown Manhattan.
From Parking Lot To Pedestrian-Friendly
The University of Utah wants to transform an eight acre parking lot near its stadium light rail station into shops, offices and condos.
When Redevelopment Plans Work
Once considered a backwater near Los Angeles' westside, Culver City has experienced a resurgence. Residents like the new restaurants, but aren't prepared to cope with all the effects of the successful redevelopment.
An Ambitious Plan For New Orleans' Riverfront
The city wants to remove unused warehouses and port-facilities and open up several miles of its riverfront for public enjoyment.
The Reality Of Infill
While planners generally sell plans with "integrated infill" and "elegant density" that pairs new development with public amenities, the reality of what gets built in neighborhoods isn't always what's promised.
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
