The Ivy District is notable for its scale as well as for the funding mechanisms that made the project happen.
Darla Guillen reports on the beginning of construction at a massive new master planned development in Pearland, located just west of Texas 288 and south of Beltway 8. The Ivy District, as the development is called, "will offer office space, retail shops, restaurants and residential options that include townhomes, apartments, senior living and condominiums," according to Guillen. "A hotel is also tentatively in the works as well as a 15- to 18-acre park."
In addition to its size, the project is notable for its developer: "The $300 million project comes courtesy of America Modern Green, an American affiliate of the Beijing-based investment holding company Modern Land China. China has become a leading investor in Texas, specifically Houston, having spent $7.4 billion in this state over the last 15 years…"
The company will also make use of the federal EB-5 investment program, "which makes U.S. visas more accessible to foreign citizens who invest heavily in America."
FULL STORY: China-based developer breaks ground on $300M development in Pearland

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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