Land Use
Fighting the ‘Loneliness Epidemic’ in Cities
While urban design alone can’t mend the tears in our social fabric, planning decisions and thoughtful, inclusive design can offer or hinder opportunities for interaction.
Mixed-Use TOD Planned in Jacksonville
The project will include affordable housing and retail space near the Rosa Parks transit station.
All We Want for the Holidays is…
Here are a dozen timely gift ideas for creating better communities.
Planetizen’s Top Posts of 2023
The most-read articles on Planetizen in 2023.
Texas Judge Reverses Three Austin Zoning Reforms
The ruling impacts ordinances passed in 2022 aimed at increasing housing density and supporting mixed-use development.
DC ‘Vacant to Vibrant’ Properties Remain Vacant
The city auctioned off 58 lots at low prices to stimulate housing development. Half are still vacant.
Will Salt Lake City’s Zoning Reforms Create More Affordable Housing?
The city’s new rules allow for more flexibility in housing development, but other market forces could limit production.
Gila River Canal Project Pairs Water Conservation With Solar Energy
Local leaders view the first solar panel-covered water canal in the Western Hemisphere as a ‘major win’ for Indigenous water sovereignty.
Austin Approves Upzoning
Combined with the recent decision to eliminate parking minimums, the move to end single-family zoning could help make housing more affordable.
How Effective are Philadelphia’s Keystone Opportunity Zones?
The impacts of a tax break designed to create jobs, stimulate development, and reduce blight are proving hard to track.
A New Vision for a South LA Oil Drilling Site
A local land trust wants to transform the defunct drilling site with a park, community center, and housing.
Zoning Driving Housing Costs, Water Consumption in Arizona
Regulations that prohibit multifamily housing and smaller lot sizes contribute to a growing gulf between housing supply and demand.
North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park Could Upzone for Mixed-Use, Housing
A new proposal reimagines the primarily industrial and office-oriented area to a ‘15-minute city.’
NYC Approves Carbon Neutrality Plan
The zoning amendment, part of the ‘City of Yes’ plan, will make it easier and more affordable to make efficiency retrofits and reduce emissions.
California Cities Cite Historic Preservation to Block Development
Are some cities using historic designations disingenuously?
How Design Can Help Mitigate Extreme Heat
To prepare for hotter summers, designers and architects can build resilience into the urban environment.
Want Less Traffic and More Parking? Start Charging for It!
Cities often fail to effectively manage parking—and the public pays for it.
Sacramento Council Approves Upzoning Proposal
If given final approval, the plan would increase the allowable floor area ratio to permit denser housing development in single-family neighborhoods and near transit.
Green Spaces Benefit Neighborhoods—When Residents can Reach Them
A study comparing green space and walkability scores found that, without effective access to local parks, residents of greener neighborhoods don’t reap the health benefits.
Eugene Ends Parking Minimums
In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.
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.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
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
