Urban Development
Private Golf Course Almost Goes Public Through Eminent Domain
Spurred by a desire to increase a wealthy New York village's worth and appeal, a string of politicians spent over 10 years trying to use the power of eminent domain to acquire a private golf course and make it public. Despite Kelo, the push failed.
D.C. Weighs Requiring More Residential Parking
Fairfax County planning officials in Washington D.C. are considering raising the amount of parking required in new residential housing developments, while other county officials are seeking a reduction.
Urban Fringe Development Debated In South Africa
A draft spatial development framework in Cape Town has created a rift between developers and city planners over how much and what type of development should be allowed to push out to the city's urban fringe.
Atlanta Greens With $2.8 Billion 'Beltline'
A plan is unfolding to create a 22-mile loop of green space and transit routes in downtown Atlanta, one of the most car-dependent cities in America. The plan started out as a graduate student's thesis and is now fully adopted by the city.
Duany Brings Charrette To Scotland
Scotland calls on Andres Duany and his firm to develop a housing plan for Inverness, which is facing rapid population growth. Duany plans to employ the charrette to hear the voice of the Scottish people, who have been engulfed in sprawl for decades.
Eminent Domain Threatened On Exclusive Golf Course In Caracas
Property rights in Venezuela's largest city continue to be strained by Caracas Mayor Juan Barreto who hopes to seize two elite, private golf courses and convert them to low-income housing to tackle Caracas' chronic housing shortage.
S.F. Buildings Rising Higher, Despite Terror Threat
High-rise developments are increasing across the country, refuting many critics who predicted the end of the high rise after September 11, 2001. In San Francisco, many planners and developers want to go up in a big way, despite the terror threat.
D.C. Developments Are Successfully Bland
Large housing developments popping up in Washington D.C. are gaining praise from the city's leadership for reinvigorating a once desolate area. But the developments are also garnering criticism for failing to weave residents in with the city.
Ratcheting Down Density
Without a viable mass transit system and concentrated employment centers, Atlanta should reduce allowable density and build more roads, says one columnist.
Australia's PM Says Sprawl Is The Price For Cheap Housing
Prime Minister John Howard says that a lack of residentially zoned land is to blame for Australia's growing affordable housing shortage.
Eminent Domain: Still A Useful Tool Despite Its Recent Thrashing
While the public and the media like to bring attention to a few controversial cases, rarely does anyone recognize the all the good that has come from the sound use of eminent domain by local officials, says David M. Lewis.
Using Concert Halls For Urban Revitalization
Cities across North America are opening new concert halls in hopes of sparking cultural and economic development and boosting civic pride.
Seattle Hosts 'Sustainable Neighborhood' Expo
High Point in West Seattle, the country's largest urban sustainable, mixed-income community, will be host to the first ever green living expo.
Building Lifestyle Centers Instead Of Malls
The Shops at Evergreen Walk creates a community gathering place, with fewer scary teenagers, among high-end retail shops.
Is Vancouver, Canada The New Model For Urban Planning?
Having recently shown off its vibrant and dense downtown at the 2006 World Urban Forum, planners from around the world are looking to Vancouver as a model for sustainable urban planning.
A Modern House On The Cheap
A new book from the former editor of Dwell Magazine details the search for a stylish, modern urban home for around $100 a square foot.
Inclusionary Housing In Queens, New York
130 blocks have been rezoned to include an inclusionary housing requirement in the New York City borough.
Zoning Wars: Taking On 'McMansionization'
The demolition of small homes and construction of mansions on the modest-sized lots is prompting a backlash in Southern California cities.
No Place To Do Dirty Work
Booming real estate values in Washington, DC are squeezing out the auto repair shops and salvage yards.
For Sale: 10 City Blocks In New York City
Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, two World War II era middle-class housing developments on Manhattan's lower east side, are up for sale -- with an estimated value of $5 billion.
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
