Landscape Architecture

People walking and biking on protected bike lane in Tenderloin District, San Francisco.

Tenderloin Greenway Closer to Reality

The Golden Gate Greenway will provide much-needed permanent park and community space in the dense neighborhood.

November 16, 2023 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Drought tolerant desert plants including large agaves in the front yard of a Spanish-style Southern California home with red tile roof.

California Agency Awards $38 Million for Turf Replacement

The grant funds grass replacement rebates for commercial and residential properties and water-saving devices for fire stations.

November 16, 2023 - Governing

Rendering of 11th Street Bridge Park in Washington, D.C. on old bridge across Anacostia River.

DC Park Aims for Equitable Development

Project leaders working on the 11th Street Bridge Park hope to prevent displacement of residents and bring economic and social benefits to the surrounding community.

November 14, 2023 - Fast Company

Aerial view of Redondo Beach Pier in Redondo Beach, California on the Pacific Ocean.

LA County Plans for Coastal Erosion

The Board of Supervisors says a proposal to build ‘living shorelines’ will help save the county’s beaches from erosion as coastal storms grow stronger.

November 13, 2023 - Los Angeles Daily News

Photo of Goat Blocks development, Portland, Oregon with five-story brick building and wide concrete staircase.

Goat Blocks: A Blueprint for Urban Placemaking and Walkability

How one development harnesses placemaking tactics to build community at the street level.

October 26, 2023 - Jason Roberts

Puente Hills Landfill as seen from the air

Creating a New Regional Park by Restoring Degraded Lands

Los Angeles County is transforming 142 acres of the Puente Hills Landfill into parkland, creating the first new regional park in the county in over 35 years. The recently released concept plan and renderings show what the park will look like.

October 23, 2023 - Puente Hills Landfill Park

Lush urban community garden with raised beds in dense New York City neighborhood with brick apartment buildings in background.

Even Small Urban Green Spaces Boost Biodiversity

A recent study from the University of Melbourne demonstrates the positive impacts small urban greening projects can have on city ecosystems.

October 23, 2023 - Earth.com

Green lawn and walkway in downtonw Houston park with skyline in background.

Opinion: How to Fund Better Houston Parks

Houston’s iconic signature parks mask a major underinvestment in green spaces for most of the city’s neighborhoods, according to a new report.

October 18, 2023 - Houston Chronicle

Rendering of Harwood Park in Dallas, Texas.

Downtown Dallas Gets A New Park

What was once parking lots and vacant buildings have been transformed into the four-acre Harwood Park.

October 5, 2023 - The Dallas Express

People lounging on grass in Alamo Square park in San Francisco overlooking painted ladies Victorian houses and city skyline

Drinking Water More Precious Than Grass in California

Ornamental grass—the kinds of grass that line medians and roadsides but never serves for recreation—is a vanishing amenity in a drought-stricken West.

September 14, 2023 - Los Angele Times

The Silver Lake Reservoir and surrounding neighborhoods in Los Angeles, as seen from high above

First Look: Silver Lake Reservoir Master Plan Adopted in L.A.

The Los Angeles City Council approved environmental review documents for the long-awaited Silver Lake Reservoir Master Plan, clearing the way to remake a defunct reservoir into active green and park space.

September 8, 2023 - Urbanize Los Angeles

Girl swinging on rope swing overlooking Los Angeles

Using GIS to Advance Park Equity and Prioritize Restoration of Degraded Lands

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation uses GIS technology to identify priority areas for land conservation and restoration as part of its 30x30 plan to fight climate change and protect biodiversity.

September 3, 2023 - Esri Blog

Los Angeles Sunset

The Importance of Accessible Trails

Not all trails are accessible to those with limited mobility. This article highlights eight trails and nature walks in Southern California that can be enjoyed by just about anyone.

September 1, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Greece

New Park Space for an Old City

After 3,400 years, Athens will soon get its first large urban park. When completed in 2030, Ellinikon Metropolitan Park will be 600 acres (243 ha), about three-fourths the size of New York City’s Central Park, an enormous addition of green space.

August 31, 2023 - ULI Urban Land Magazine

A hardscaped park with creative architectural featues is shown with the high-rises of Downtown Los Angeles in the background.

Pershing Square, Downtown L.A.’s ‘Forgotten Park,’ Begins Long Awaited Revamp

A makeover that began in 2015 is finally underway in 2023, but the process of reconstructing Pershing Square is expected to proceed incrementally.

August 30, 2023 - Urbanize Los Angeles

The tops of umbrellas for outdoor dining spaces are visible with large buildings in the background on a sunny day in the city of San Diego.

California Regulators Require Parking Replacement for Outdoor Dining Spaces

The city of San Diego’s Spaces as Places outdoor dining program includes a critical parking requirement mandated by the California Coastal Commission.

August 28, 2023 - La Jolla Light

Map of Panther Island flood control project

Report: Fort Worth’s Panther Island Should Emphasize Mixed Use, Walkability

Originally planned as a primarily residential development, the riverfront development could shift to a focus on entertainment, commerce, and outdoor recreation.

August 10, 2023 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Green Stormwater Infrastructure

What Is Green Infrastructure?

Green infrastructure harnesses nature to the benefit of the built environment as well as human and animal life.

July 25, 2023 - James Brasuell

View of docks on lake surrounded by green trees and lawns with one white house at right

A Primer on Suburban Urbanism

How one master-planned development used lower-density urbanism principles to build a community focused on affordability, sustainability, and conservation.

July 6, 2023 - Common Edge

Woman in leggings and long-sleeved jacket walks in public park among fall foliage

Parks and Recreation as a Health Solution

New research by the Trust for Public Land explores connections between urban parks and health, building on prior research and offering insights such as the growing importance of partnerships with health organizations.

July 4, 2023 - Governing

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.