Urban Development
Drinking The 'Downtown Revitalization' Kool-Aid
Boosters like to sell downtown revitalization as crucial to a region's economic interest -- but for most cities, that's rarely the case.
The Left-Leaning NIMBY
In Marin County and other wealthy, liberal enclaves, many residents are vocally supportive of affordable housing and other causes -- unless its in their neighborhood.
California's Best and Worst Downtowns
San Francisco and San Diego are the No. 1 downtowns in California, according to California Planning & Development Report. L.A. is #4, behind Long Beach. Last? Fresno, Fresno, Fresno.
Salt Lake Sky Bridge Becomes Political Hot Button
The controversy over the proposed sky bridge in downtown Salt Lake City has worked its way into the race for mayor.
Creating A Sense Of Place With Modern Day Main Streets
In Missouri, towns are embracing New Urbanism and reviving main street districts or even creating new downtowns where they didn't exist.
Why Gentrification Is Good
Opponents to gentrification often have a romanticized view of neighborhoods that prevents them from seeing how development is beneficial to everyone in a community -- rich and poor.
The Rise Of The Surburban Slum?
William Fulton observes that while high-income households are flocking to the inner-city and gobbling up pricey condos, poor families are having to double and triple up just to afford a home in the suburbs.
A 'Giant Step Forward' For Downtown Los Angeles
City officials are considering ordinances that will allow builders to construct more housing units downtown.
Georgia Hill Country A Case Study For Stopping Sprawl
Planners and environmentalists are hopefully that the use of transfer development rights (TDR) in the Chattahoochee Hill Country south of Atlanta can serve as a model for land conservation efforts nationwide.
$500 Million Trailer Park Sale Falls Through
A developer that had offered to make the residents of a Florida seaside community overnight millionaires has walked away from the deal after negotiations stalled.
A Turning 'Ponte' for Jo-Burg?
Johannesburg's Ponte City, a once-exclusive whites-only address now at the center of a dangerous, abandoned part of the city, will undergo a major renovation project featuring affordable housing, with the aim of turning the neighborhood around.
New Orleans Riverfront Plan Sparks Excitement, Worries
An ambitious plan to redevelop the Mississippi Riverfront in New Orleans has locals excited about the prospect of a huge boost to the economy, but some are leery about the negative impact the project could have on the city's unique character.
The Importance Of Eco-Cities In An Urbanizing World
As urbanization increases, the importance of ecologically-considerate city building techniques has become more pronounced. Several examples of planned "eco-cities" are laying the foundation for embracing this model of growth and development.
Suburb And City Battle Over Airport Expansion
With expansion of nearby O'Hare Airport planned and moving forward, the suburban Chicago community of Bensenville is being slowly drained of residents and buildings to make way for the project. But some residents aren't going without a fight.
What Happened To Phoenix?
The once "model city" that promised good jobs and inexpensive housing now offers clog roads, poor schools and rising crime.
School District Developing Housing Subdivision
Trying to make the most of a real estate deal gone bad, a school district in North Carolina is building a new 88 home subdivision next to a new school.
Developers Look To Diversify Area Near Casinos
Developers in Connecticut look to Las Vegas as an example of how to most successfully develop land around nearby casinos.
Tax Breaks For Developers May Leave Parks Dry
Tax incentives of nearly $10 million have been approved for hotel and condo development on one of Georgia's struggling state parks, but some worry that providing tax breaks leaves little or no money left for park maintenance and improvements.
Is It Time For Transit In The Boise Valley?
The Treasure Valley metro area, centered around Boise, Idaho, is the latest region to explore the ideal of rail transit, with officials looking to Salt Lake City as a model.
Preserve Industrial Areas Or Allow Housing?
As the popularity of condos and lofts in industrial areas rises amongst both developers and buyers, cities such as Chicago, L.A., and New York are taking steps to protect their historic industrial zones.
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
