The Daily Source of Urban Planning News

Quarry House nestled among trees in Park City, Utah

Winners of the 2022 American Society of Landscape Architects

The Society’s annual awards highlight projects focused on reconnecting communities to the landscape and creating healthy community spaces.

October 4 - American Society Of Landscape Architects

Woman in wheelchair working at a home office desk

How Remote Work is Changing the Playing Field for Workers With Disabilities

The more widespread acceptance of working from home is helping millions of Americans with disabilities get back into the workforce and find better job opportunities.

October 4 - Bloomberg

Aerial view of East Boston shoreline

Study To Assess Climate Mitigation Options for East Boston

A grant-funded research team will evaluate solutions for shoring up the area’s flood protection strategies and improving access and service on the Blue Line for local residents.

October 4 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

People post for photos in front of a colorful mural in the evening.

FEATURE

Placemaking: Building on the ‘Soul’ of a Place

Placemaking is often mistaken for a form of manufacturing. Every place already has a story to tell—placemaking just brings that story forward.

October 4 - Brian Chambers

California Public Trnsit

Affordable Housing Now Legal By-Right on Commercial Lots in California

One of the nation's most ambitious and sweeping statewide laws intended to spur affordable housing development was signed into law in California at the end of September.

October 3 - Los Angeles Times


Los Angeles sprawl

The Inflation Reduction Act Missed a Chance to Rein in Car-Dependent Sprawl

The federal government is so far unwilling to reverse course on car-dependent sprawl. The Inflation Reduction Act is the latest example.

October 3 - Metropolis

Nighttime shot of decorative fountain with horses and Country Club Plaza tower in background

FEATURE

Three Planning Innovations, a Century Later

Three events turning 100 this year have had a long-lasting impact on the shape of American urban design and land use.

October 3 - Diana Ionescu


 The Young Apartments — 1621 South Grand Avenue, at the southern end of Downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Tenant Harassment Law Yields No Prosecutions

A year after the law was passed, the city has failed to prosecute any of the more than 2,000 complaints filed by tenants.

October 3 - L.A. Taco

Lake Mead 'bathtub ring'

Colorado River Water Crisis Deepens

The states that rely on the Colorado’s water must make drastic cuts in water usage to maintain use of the West’s most important—and most threatened—water source.

October 3 - NPR

Rendering of hydrogen storage tank with solar panels in background

Two New Clean Energy Programs Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Unveiled

The U.S. Department of Energy announced two new programs last month that are funded by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: $7 billion to create regional ‘hydrogen hubs’ and $4.9 billion to ‘manage and store carbon pollution.’

October 3 - U.S. Department of Energy

The centerfield gate of Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team, is shown closed and devoid of fans.

Nationals Park Survives Permitting Scare, Remains Open for Final Games of the Baseball Season

The Washington Nationals, winners of the 2019 World Series, almost needed to find a new home for the final games of the 2022 baseball season after Events D.C. failed to meet the terms of the certificate of occupancy for Nationals Park.

October 3 - Washington Business Journal

The flag of Prince George's County00a red croiss in a white field with a crest of arms in the upper left corner, blows in the wind.

Zoning Controversy Ahead of November Election in Prince George's County, Maryland

The Prince George's County Council is facing a dramatic overhaul in the November election, so current councilmembers are trying to solidify their zoning legacy, while making it harder for future councilmembers to do the same.

October 3 - The Washington Post

Rendering of Culdesac Tempe development

PLANOPEDIA

What Is a Variance?

Variances allow for development projects to deviate from the zoning code on a case-by-case basis—if the project developer can prove a unique economic or physical hardship.

October 2 - James Brasuell

Aerial view of downtown Omaha, Nebraska with lake in foreground

Omaha to Lose its Only Protected Bike Lane

With an 18-month pilot program coming to an end, local officials plan to dismantle the city’s only protected bike lane.

October 2 - Omaha World-Herald

Front of brick elementary school building in Texas

Austin School District Properties Could Host Affordable Housing

The District is weighing early proposals to include housing units for teachers and staff in the redevelopment of a group of six ‘underutilized’ district properties.

October 2 - CBS Austin

Brutalism

Zoning Board of Appeals Overhaul One Step Toward Approval Process Reform in Boston

Mayor Wu recently overhauled the makeup of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals, but bigger changes will be necessary to depoliticize the city’s development approvals process.

October 2 - The Boston Globe

Runway and plane taking off at Paine Field, Everett, Washington

Will Snohomish County Light Rail Bypass the Airport?

Some county leaders rejected two proposed routes that would skirt Boeing and Paine Field, citing the area’s high potential for travelers and jobs.

September 30 - HeraldNet

Aerial view of small rural community in Kentucky with ild rolling hills and sparse development

Senate Bill Would Support Rural Tenants

With housing costs skyrocketing, a proposed bill would extend assistance and help preserve affordable rental housing in rural areas.

September 30 - The Daily Yonder

Rendering of Innovation QNS with landscaped open public space on corner and glass-clad building

2.7-Million-Square-Foot Astoria Project Approved

The development will include over 2,800 housing units and 2 acres of public open space.

September 30 - Urbanize New York

Flooded street with palm trees bending in the wind during Hurricane Irma in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Ian's Test

One of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the mainland United States in decades will be a major test for a governor with presidential aspirations as well as his constituents in the nation's third most populous state.

September 30 - Politico

Post News

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.

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.