New York

New York's Visionary Model of Utilities Reform
Utilities profit from building more power plants—a flawed model for a diminishing natural monopoly.
Explained: East New York's Big Zoning Changes
Some residents of East New York argue that mandatory inclusionary zoning and other changes proposed for the neighborhood will only help displace low-income residents.
New York Department of City Planning Adds an Office of Regional Planning
With hot-button issues like the Hudson Tunnel crisis forcing a new perspective about the connection of New York city to its surrounding region, Mayor de Blasio has responded by creating a new office of regional planning.
Large Capital Infusion for New York's Community Parks Initiative
$285 million in capital dollars through 2019 will help fund parks in New York not called the High Line and lacking high-profile private backing.
Editorial: Bike and Pedestrian Proposal for Verrazano-Narrows Bridge an Expensive Joke
A strong scent of snark is detected in a recent editorial criticizing the possibility of building a shared bike and pedestrian path on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to State Island.
The Law in New York: Close the Door When Running Air Conditioners
It's now illegal for businesses to use air conditioners on the sidewalks of New York City. Some see government overreach—some see common sense energy efficiency measures.

How to Reimagine the Skyscraper (and Why)
An essay identifies imperatives for a new theory of tall, dense construction, and begins to sketch out a theory that will reconcile the skyscraper with contemporary business ideals.
Glut of New Supply Shaking Up the Apartment Market
An industry report finds rising vacancies rates and lots of new supply coming down the pipeline. Could the nation's renters finally be in the market for some relief on the cost of housing?
A Flood Zone Real Estate Boom in Post-Sandy New York
Has New York done enough to continue to build new high-end buildings in flood zones around the city?

The Metamorphosis of Redlining
Redlining has been around for a long time, but across the country, local, state, and federal agencies are filing complaints against banks and other corporations for creative and subtle new forms of discrimination.
Amtrak Gateway Planning Is Coming Together
Initial planning steps toward replacement of the 105-year-old tunnels under the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York's Penn Station are underway, with New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, and the Port Authority of N.Y & N.J. all playing key roles.
Friday Eye Candy: Explore Manhattan in 1609
A new online interactive project allows new access to the history of Manhattan before Dutch settlers began taking residence on the island in 1609
Grand Central Terminal Owner Files $1.1 Billion Suit Against One Vanderbilt
A $1.1 billion lawsuit challenges the approval of plans for One Vanderbilt, adjacent to Grand Central Terminal, on the grounds that it circumvented the purchase of air rights from the adjacent Grand Central Terminal.

What 'Show Me a Hero' Teaches About Segregation and Race
David Simon believes the events depicted in his new HBO mini-series were the result of a history of systematic hyper-segregation in America. HUD Secretary Castro agrees.
Parking Requirements Among Changes in a Big Week for Planning in New York
Streetsblog NYC reviews new zoning and development rules proposed by the de Blasio Administration and finds incremental progress, not a major breakthrough, for parking policy.

Daylighting NYC's Most Dangerous Intersections
Legislation is proposed to reduce the number of fatal pedestrian and cyclist accidents in NYC.
Friday Funny: It Doesn't Get More New York Than Pizza Rat, Brooklyn Settler
The streets of New York lived up to their infamous reputation this week with two viral videos that seemed almost too perfect.

Attention Media: Neighborhoods Existed Before Gentrification
On the media's responsibility for narratives that enable displacement, rather than inclusion.
Moses and Jacobs: A Drama Fit for an Opera (Coming Soon to a Stage Near You)
Yes, the world of urban planning will soon get a star turn of epic proportions—as the focus of an opera currently in development and scheduled to debut in New York City in 2017.
Editorial Calls for the Gentrification of East New York
Unsurprisingly, an editorial titled "Gentrify East New York" provoked a strong response from the public.
Pagination
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