Anchorage

Anchorage Theater

Historic Anchorage Theatre Inspires State-Level Preservation Support

The Anchorage Historical Commission declared the 4th Avenue Theatre in downtown Anchorage a culturally and historically significant building that needs state protection.

April 27, 2017 - Alaska Dispatch News

Anchorage Joins the Cohousing Movement

After five years of development, the Ravens' Roost Cohousing in Anchorage is now a reality. There are approximately 163 cohousing communities in the United States.

December 28, 2016 - Anchorage Dispatch News

Anchorage Theater

Anchorage Reconsiders Iconic 4th Avenue Theatre Development Proposal

Request for tax breaks to redevelop deteriorated property in downtown Anchorage are recommended for denial by Chief Financial Officer Robert Harris.

June 9, 2016 - Alaska Dispatch News

Anchorage Town Square

Anchorage to Renovate a Prominent Public Space in the Name of Public Safety

A popular public meeting space in downtown Anchorage faces renovations due to claims of illegal activity. A now defunct water fountain feature has created conditions that some believe are unsafe with a need for more eyes on the street.

May 27, 2016 - Alaska Dispatch News

Expected Budget Cuts Hurt Port Modernization Prospects in Anchorage

The Alaska Legislature snubbed the Port of Anchorage due to a huge state budget shortfall. The port handles 90 percent of the state's freight and is a vital national security facility.

April 23, 2016 - Alaska Public Media

Anchorage Alaska

Anchorage Plans for the Future

Municipal officials and staff in Anchorage, Alaska, are hard at work drafting an updated land use plan that incorporates modern planning principles in the city's vision for development.

April 17, 2016 - Anchorage Press

Anchorage Updates Land Use Plan Map

After 34 years the Municipality of Anchorage is updating its land use plan map, a companion piece to its comprehensive plan adopted in 2001. The land use plan map sets the stage for future growth and development in this Northern City of 301,000.

March 23, 2016 - Alaska Public Media

Op-Ed Details Sordid Anchorage Development Deal

Local officials accused of being "gullible" as they mull a proposed development deal that would redevelop an iconic downtown theater and knock down a derelict hotel in Midtown Anchorage, Alaska.

January 29, 2016 - Anchorage Dispatch News

Anchorage Officials Seek State Lands to Ease Housing Crunch

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has asked Alaska Governor Bill Walker to transfer more than 24 parcels of state land for high density housing.

January 8, 2016 - Alaska Dispatch News

Anchorage Considers Densification

In a city of sprawling surface parking, increased density may help close a serious affordable housing gap as Anchorage, Alaska, seeks ways to make development more affordable.

December 23, 2015 - Next City

Shut It and Gut It: Anchorage Takes Hard Look at Transit Center

After 500 hours of analyzing its downtown transit center, Anchorage officials have come to one conclusion: The only way to fix this building is to shut it and gut it. The transit center, over three decades, has become a blight on Downtown.

December 18, 2015 - Alaska Commons

Anchorage Changes Policies for Cell Towers in Neighborhoods

Draft regulations under consideration in Anchorage "would prohibit building large cellphone towers next to homes in dense urban settings."

December 8, 2015 - Alaska Dispatch News

Anchorage to Provide Permanent Housing for the Homeless

Newly elected Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has unveiled a new plan to end homelessness in Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. It focuses on providing permanent housing over the next three years for 300 adults who are living on the street and in camps.

November 22, 2015 - Alaska Public Media

Medical Marijuana Sign

Anchorage Releases Draft Land Use Regs for Marijuana

Commercial marijuana operations to be restricted to industrial areas.

November 19, 2015 - Alaska Dispatch

Anchorage Tweaks Land Use Regulations for More Infill Development

The Anchorage Assembly has updated its land use regulations to allow taller apartments and spur redevelopment and infill in neighborhoods near major transit corridors and the employment centers of Downtown and Midtown.

October 16, 2015 - Alaska Dispatch News

Woman on Transit

How Planning Can Reduce the Threat of Gender Violence

A piece from Anchorage, Alaska discusses problems that can arise when planners don't address gender-based safety. Walkable, populated, well-lit streets and transit are the best remedy.

April 12, 2015 - The Arctic Urbanophile

Anchorage Alaska

Where to Go in the Event of Climate Change

Anchorage, Seattle, and Detroit will be pretty cozy compared to just about everywhere else in the United States if climate change models hold true.

September 23, 2014 - New York Times

Anchorage Alaska

Infographic Compares How Cities Prioritize Urban Parks

The latest installment of the GOOD Cities Project has produced an infographic that provides a look at the "ever-vital urban park" by comparing the park efforts of cities around the country.

August 27, 2014 - GOOD Magazine

Preserving Native Culture Amidst a Commercial Building Boom

The city of Anchorage, Alaska has a number of new developments in the pipeline—some of which are located adjacent to residential neighborhoods. Can new development respect the values of native culture?

March 10, 2014 - Arctic Urbanophile

New Zoning for Design Stirs Controversy

In Anchorage, Alaska, planners are rolling out a substantial new version of their zoning code, which includes some design requirements like no blank walls. Business owners are up in arms over the proposed changes.

February 21, 2010 - Anchorage Daily News

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.

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.