Land Use

Biden Announces New National Monument on Havasu 'Baaja Land
Almost 1 million acres of land near the Grand Canyon will now be protected from mining and extraction as part of the country’s newest national monument.

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.

Anchorage Considering Consolidation of Residential Districts
If changes to Title 21 of the city’s municipal code are approved, Anchorage could go from having 15 types of residential zoning to one.

New Park Breaks Ground Under L.A.’s Sixth Street Viaduct
The park will connect to the Los Angeles River bike path and transit projects coming to the area.

State Regulators Reject Palo Alto’s Housing Element a Second Time
More analysis and more equity will be required for Palo Alto to finally adopt a Housing Element that complies with state laws.

Colorado Erases Local Growth Limits
Colorado legislators passed a law earlier this year that preempts local limits on the number of building permits issued every year.

D.C. Residents Heavily Subsidize Residential Parking
The District is losing out on hundreds of thousands in potential revenue while encouraging residents to store cars on valuable public land.

Letter Reveals Changes to I-35 Expansion Plan in Austin
In addition to new HOV lanes and a proposed boardwalk, TxDOT agreed to engineer the freeway for caps in some areas, but the city would have to fund their construction.

New York City Legalizes Outdoor Dining
Some restaurant owners worry the new requirements will make it too expensive to maintain outdoor dining structures.

The Walkable Urbanism of Big Box Stores
For residents of many U.S. small towns and exurbs, the local Walmart offers a surprising benefit missing elsewhere in their communities: walkability.

Op-Ed: How to Make Over Pennsylvania Avenue
The Washington, D.C. street briefly regained its former vibrancy during the pandemic. A proposed redesign could bring it back once again.

Why an Eldercare Facility Turned to Employer-Provided Housing
Providing temporary housing in tiny homes has helped a Washington long-term care facility keep its doors open in the face of a growing housing crisis.

Report Links Zoning and Land Use to Structural Racism
The historically comprehensive study outlines the policies that have shaped homeownership, generational wealth, and economic development in the Puget Sound region.

A Reckoning for Southwestern Golf Courses
Amid a growing water crisis, more cities are cracking down on ornamental uses of grass and golf course greens.

Majority of Americans Prefer Larger Homes and Longer Trips, Survey Says
The percentages have fluctuated on either side of the pandemic, but most Americans prefer to live in communities with larger houses, located farther away from schools, stores, and restaurants, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.

$2 Billion Theme Park to Rival Disney World Planned for Northeast Oklahoma
The "American Heartland Theme Park" is planned for 125 acres along Route 66 on the Cherokee Reservation in Oklahoma.

San Diego Park Funds to Finance Freeway Exit Ramp
City staff say the damaged ramp’s location in Balboa Park makes it eligible for funding from a regional park improvement pool.

Lessons for Software UX From Ancient City Planners
Cities have been designed for user experience (UX) for millennia, and contemporary UX designers have plenty to learn from planners, according to a recent article in Fast Company.

‘Cool Community’ Project Yields Promising Results
A ten-block area in one of L.A.’s most heat-prone neighborhoods saw significant reductions in surface and air temperature thanks to an innovative street treatment that could help communities around the country mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.

New Highways Are Still Tearing Communities Apart
Residents of a historic Black South Carolina town are being displaced by a road widening project.
Pagination
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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