Land Use

Aerial view of San Jose, California with mountains in background.

Managing Unsheltered Homelessness in San Jose

As California and other Western states await a SCOTUS ruling that will greatly affect how cities deal with tent encampments, a new stakeholder is causing big changes in how Northern California's largest city deals with its unsheltered population.

June 26, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

Burned car sits in front of burned house in forest in Paradise, California after the Camp Fire.

Paradise Lost: Long-Time Residents Priced out of Fire-Devastated Town

The California community lost 85 lives and tens of thousands of homes. Now, high housing and rebuilding costs are forcing many former residents out.

June 26, 2024 - SF Gate

Downtown Fort Worth, Texas skyline.

Preserving Fort Worth’s Historic Black Settlements

Communities dating back to the 1830s are under threat from development, pollution, and zoning regulations.

June 26, 2024 - Governing

Three dark brown wild horses stand in a meadow near Farson, Wyoming.

Utah and Wyoming Sue BLM Over Conservation Rule

The states allege the agency overstepped federal regulations in its attempt to boost conservation efforts on public lands.

June 25, 2024 - WyoFile

Rendering of plus-shaped floating pool next to Brooklyn Bridge in East River.

NYC Launches Public Swimming Plan

The city’s efforts to bring more pools and beaches to its residents could have rippling effects across the state.

June 25, 2024 - Fast Company

Two wood-frame houses under construction.

Commentary: When Neighborhood Change is Inevitable

Changes in the size and type of housing can accommodate different living arrangements and offer opportunities for multigenerational living and aging in place.

June 24, 2024 - Strong Towns

Faded image of vacant storefront in rural area with American flag stars painteind on windows.

COVID Isn’t to Blame for the Retail Vacancy Crisis

A drop in demand for retail space began well before the seismic shifts of the pandemic.

June 23, 2024 - Slate

The Basilica of St. Joseph in San Jose, California.

Faith-Based Housing Movement Grows

More churches and municipalities are saying ‘Yes in God’s Backyard.’

June 21, 2024 - Vox

Two-story homes on residential street in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

British Columbia Cracks Down on Short-Term Rentals

Provincial leaders say the new rules could open up as many as 19,000 units for long-term rental.

June 20, 2024 - CTV

Small backyard cottage with gabled roof in San Diego, California.

San Diego Sees Continued Growth in ADU Permits

Recent changes to regulations have made it easier and more affordable for homeowners to build ‘granny flats,’ and San Diego’s housing stock is benefiting.

June 20, 2024 - Axios San Diego

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Mississippi Opens Its First Utility-Scale Wind Farm

The 184-megawatt wind project will help supply power to Amazon’s growing data center operations and logistics hubs in the region.

June 20, 2024 - Canary Media

View of Mount Hood at golden hour with Happy Valley, Oregon homes in foreground.

Clackamas County Votes to Allow ADUs, Residential RVs

County officials hope the zoning changes will help boost the housing supply in the region.

June 18, 2024 - Mountain Times

Rendering of proposed linear park in New Rochelle, New York.

NYC Suburb Plans for New Linear Park

An update to the city’s zoning code makes way for a project that would reclaim a former highway and create new green space and recreation opportunities.

June 18, 2024 - City of New Rochelle

Looking up at black multi-story building with Industry City neon sign on corner.

‘Emergent City’ Documentary Highlights Rare Anti-Gentrification Victory

The film charts the saga of a Brooklyn site called Industry City.

June 17, 2024 - Next City

Line of cars at a McDonald's drive-thru at night.

St. Paul Considers Drive-Thru Restrictions

Limiting drive-thrus can make streets more dangerous for pedestrians and snarl traffic.

June 12, 2024 - Axios

Coyote resting (and yawning) on top of wall covered in morning glories, Huntington Beach, Orange County, California.

California Bill Would Make Wildlife Connectivity Part of General Plans

The ‘Room to Roam Act’ would require cities and counties to consider local habitats and the impact of development on wildlife corridors and connectivity.

June 11, 2024 - Nossaman LLP

Civil engineer in yellow hard hat and safety vest talks on radio while looking up at freeway ramps.

Traffic Engineer's Rap Takedown of His Profession

Transportation planner Buff Brown challenges common traffic engineering practices in a rap video which demonstrates how the Engineering Bingo Card of Excuses helps maintain the status quo of street design.

June 11, 2024 - The Barrier of the City Engineer

Two-level stack of shipping containers blocking off People's Park in Berkeley, California.

California Supreme Court Rules in Favor of People's Park Housing

The decision paves the way for a controversial student housing development.

June 10, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

An aerial view of a park and the streets and high-rises of Downtown Omaha.

Omaha Program Promotes Infill Development

Budding developers can access funding and low-cost vacant lots for affordable housing construction.

June 10, 2024 - Nebraska Examiner

View of Louisiana state capitol building and downton Baton Rouge, LA

May’s Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month

The month of May featured a lot of stories on local and state bans, as well as a controversial move to split Baton Rouge in two.

June 7, 2024 - Mary Hammon

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.