Land Use
New California Law Alters CEQA in Favor of Student Housing
Following a heated legal battle over new student housing in Berkeley, Governor Newsom signed a new law removing ‘social noise’ as an environmental impact.
Phoenix Approves ADUs
The city hopes backyard ‘casitas’ can help alleviate the housing crisis.
An AI-Generated Vision of a Silicon Valley Utopia
A proposed plan to build a new city in the Bay Area is light on details and heavy on idyllic renderings.
Vancouver Day Care Rejection Poses Larger Questions
What does it mean for cities and civic life when neighborhoods are viewed as products geared for individual consumption rather than ever-evolving communities?
How the ‘Social Field of View’ Impacts Street Life
The vibrancy of a neighborhood may be defined by what people can see in their immediate vicinity.
Las Vegas Residents Push Back on Freeway Expansion
A state plan to widen an interstate that cuts through downtown Las Vegas would displace hundreds of homes and businesses.
Alexandria Draft ‘Zoning for Housing’ Plan Would End Single-Family Zoning
Alexandria planners have revealed a draft plan that would eliminate single-family zoning citywide.
Mesa General Plan Update Aims for Clarity, Accountability
The Arizona city’s once-a-decade update to its General Plan will clarify zoning boundaries left ‘fuzzy’ in its previous iteration.
Environmental Groups Win Court Battle Against the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan
A court ruling invalidated one of the most innovative comprehensive plans in recent memory, and now the city of Minneapolis must revert to its previous comprehensive plan.
Public Opinion on Housing: A Deeper Dive
Surveys on housing show that Americans give pro-housing or anti-housing answers depending on how questions are asked. More consistently, they show that Black Americans and young people are more pro-housing than older whites.
Capturing the Post-Pandemic City: The Power of 'Visual Prosecution'
Have you ever tried immersive photography to show how urban landscapes, with their ever-evolving stories, are changing post-pandemic? A three-time author of books about understanding the innate identities of urban places updates his perspective.
Austin Electeds Hope Site Review Improvements Achieve Affordability Gains
After receiving scathing reviews about the frustrations and inefficiencies of its site review process, Austin has contracted with McKinsey to begin the work of overhauling the process.
California to Invest $750 Million in 16 ’Jobs-Rich’ Areas
California is funding a sweeping package of investments expected to deliver big benefits in housing affordability and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Court Ruling Overturns Texas’ ‘Death Star’ State Preemption Bill
The Texas government’s attempt to keep bluer local governments in check has been delt a setback by the state’s judicial system.
700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah
A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.
More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus
Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.
Quantifying the Potential of California’s ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ Bill
A new report estimates that 171,000 acres of land would be available for housing development if California approves SB 4, Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act of 2023.
Edmonton Considering Sprawl Control Measures
Under a proposed standard, developing neighborhoods in Edmonton would be required to fully build out infrastructure and community facilities, like retail and amenities, before the city approves additional development.
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.
Pittsburgh Launches New Comprehensive Plan Process
Pittsburgh is starting from scratch on a new comprehensive plan, after stalling on the ForgingPGH plan in 2021.
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
