Landscape Architecture
Why We're Not Meant to Live in Boring Cities
Features like blank street facades literally turn us off, decreasing mental stimulation and bringing on restlessness and stress. Research points to worrying consequences for people who find their city, well, boring.
Revealed: James Corner Field Operations Designs of the 'Underline' in Miami
After transforming opinions about public space with the High Line in New York, James Corner Field Operations will shift focus below the tracks—the Underline park under the MetroRail line in Miami.
The Not-So-Public Legacy of New York's Privately Owned Public Spaces
More and more often, barriers have been erected between the public and POPS, as privately owned public spaces are known.
What Makes a Park Great?
One of the country's most passionate supporters of parks writes a review of a book that explores the characteristics and qualities of great parks.
Checking in on the Plans to Build the 'LowLine' Park Under New York City
Plans to transform 60,000 square feet of dormant space under New York's Delancey Street into a park could be ready to reemerge into the public discussion.
One Developer's Appreciation of Landscape Architecture
A planner and developer waxes poetic, and keeps it pragmatic too, about the importance of landscape architecture.
$19 Million Approved for Houston's Bayou Greenways Plan
An ambitious project Mayor Annise Parker calls "one of the most exciting things I've had the opportunity to work on as mayor" took a major step forward this week.
Meet Chicago's New Northerly Island Open Space
Chicago gains a new open space today, located on an island on Lake Michigan just across from Soldier Field and Burnham Harbor.
The Google Street View Perspective on Public Space Transformations
A recent trend in returning the use of streets and other public space to the use of humans and other modes of transportation other than the car is more striking with some historical perspective.
The Battle for Times Square—Why It Matters, Even Outside New York
The piece begins not in New York but three thousand miles west in Seattle with Janette Sadik-Khan explaining how she triumphed over auto interests by taking back precious road space and returning it to the people in the form of plazas and bike lanes.
Report Finds Tremendous Economic Benefits From Indy's Cultural Trail
A $63 million investment to build the Cultural Trail in Indianapolis has returned $1 billion in increased property value and other economic benefits since 2008.
De Blasio Could Open the Times Square Pedestrian Plaza to Cars
Exotic street performers in the plaza have caused Mayor Bill de Blasio to reconsider his initial opposition to street plazas. Unlike his police commissioner and the governor, de Blasio has yet to make a decision on the removal of Times Square plaza.
Sacramento Reconsiders Ban on Artificial Turf
Brown lawns may be less aesthetically pleasing than synthetic lawns, but are they safer?
Frank Gehry Hired to Plan the Los Angeles River—Controversy Ensues
Details are scarce—but reports are that Frank Gehry has been working behind the scenes to create a new vision for the Los Angeles River.
Dueling Proposals for Seattle's Waterfront Park
Eventually, Bertha will push through and create an alternative route for what is now Highway 99. Eventually, also, Seattle will decide on a plan to build a park where the viaduct now runs.
Innovating the Planning Process Through Community-Centered Design
Sean O'Malley and Andrew Watkins, of the landscape architecture, planning, and urban design firm SWA, describe the benefits of a design process that empowers people and communities to participate.
Guidance for Providing Safe Access to Parks
The American Planning Association has released new information on the role of planners in providing safe routes to parks.
Lessons in Waterfront Revitalization from Boston and Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's Riverlife recently hired Vivien Li from the Boston Harbor Association. Li's career trajectory helpfully informs the kinds of decisions that drive good waterfront planning.
TxDOT Ditches Proposal for Pierce Elevated Park
A proposal to transform the Pierce Elevated in Houston into a linear park joins the slag heap of Houston's history of never-built projects.
Celebrating Chicago's Must-See Public Realm (Part 1)
Chicago has recently opened some of the most exciting urban landscapes we have seen in a while. And, as with New York and other cities, landscape architects are leading the charge.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
