United States
Cashing In On Strangely-Configured Lots
With good land hard to find, developers are cashing in: on strangely configured sites. Think of a trapezoidal house, a 35-foot-wide golfer's retreat and a 'cow's face' plot.
What It Takes To Go Green
From countertops made of recycled paper to bamboo floors, learn from one couple who made their eco-friendly dream house.
Using Good Design To Reduce The Impact Of Parking
Parking requirements can overwhelm a housing development, particularly an affordable one. Design Advisor offers several design ideas to help reduce the impact of parking on development and your residents. [Includes photos and examples.]
Beyond the Gale?
Who will succeed Gale Norton as head of the Interior Department? Grist Magazine speculates.
Large Foreclosure Increase Linked To Risky Borrowing
A new study shows that the number of households entering some stage of foreclosure is up 45% over this time last year -- one for every 1,117 U.S. households.
Blondie -- The Next Great Urban Planner?
On the eve of her introduction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, music superstar Deborah Harry of Blondie says that her "future will be in architecture and urban planning".
Dreier: Katrina and Power in America
The Katrina disaster exposed the major fault lines of American society and politics: class and race. It offers lessons for urban scholars and practitioners, writes Peter Dreier of Occidental College in this academic journal article.
Waterfronts Revitalized Across U.S.
From East St. Louis to Louisville, Kentucky, cities are beginning to realize visions of riverfront glory.
Study: State Anti-Predatory Lending Laws Successful
A study of 5 million home loans made from 1998 to 2000 shows that state laws save homeowners billions of dollars each year.
First McMansions, Now McLofts
A deluxe imitation of the urban loft is coming to a suburb near you.
Can A Border Fence Curb Illegal Immigration?
Robert Sameulson is uneasy about advocating a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border but believes it may be a way to curb illegal immigration.
Then: Seat Belts; Now: Home Sprinkler Systems
Proponents argue that sprinklers should be mandatory for all new single-family homes, and predict a revolution in consumer safety.
Do New Stadiums Really Spur Economic Development?
Baseball team owners are having less and less success marketing their teams in new cities, or generating public funding for stadium construction. What gives?
States Step Up On Infrastructure
Lagging in other sectors, public financing of state roads and other infrastructure services has increased.
Traditional Neighborhood Development Soars In Popularity
TND -- often previously relegated to suburban communities like Celebration and Seaside -- is reappearing in inner cities, with positive results.
High Property Taxes Driving A New Revolt
Several states are eyeing moves to cap tax growth after property values have soared.
Time To Change American Zoning
Washington Post columnist Roger K. Lewis argues that antiquated zoning laws, often written by lawyers instead of planners or designers, need an extensive makeover.
Kotkin Discusses Creative Class, New Book
Michael Duffy, host of 'Counterpoint' on Australia's Radio National, interviews Joel Kotkin about Richard Florida's creative class theory and Kotkin's new book, "The City: A Global History."
Dark Side Of A Popular Artist
Former associates reveal a darker side to Thomas Kinkade, a popular artist who has inspired some suburban developments.
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
