Commercial Uses

A conceptual rendering of a bus stop and bus-only lane on a downtown street.

Land Use Changes Could Improve Walkability Along Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in Denver

Denver councilmembers are proposing an overhaul of land use regulations along a long stretch of East Colfax Avenue—the route of a planned Bus Rapid Transit line expected to open in 2026.

July 20, 2023 - Denverite

Corner Store

‘City of Yes’ Zoning Changes Take Shape in New York

The signature zoning and planning effort of the Adams administration took a step forward recently, with changes meant to clear red tape for businesses in New York City.

July 12, 2023 - CityLand

A sign on the side of a street light reads “Woodley Park Historic District D.C.”

Zoning Changes Could Allow More Restaurants and Bars in D.C. Neighborhoods

Zoning can limit more than just multi-family housing.

May 21, 2023 - WAMU

A map of New Jersey focuses on Haledon and blurs our surrounding cities such as Paterson.

Zoning Changes Intended to Spur Redevelopment in Haledon, New Jersey

The borough of Haledon is hoping that less restrictive zoning will spur a new wave of development and economic activity along one of the city's commercial corridors.

October 26, 2022 - North Jersey

California State Capital

California Makes Planning History, Resets the Housing Status Quo

The California Legislature this week approved a historic package of bills, including a bill that allows affordable housing on commercially zoned properties and another that removes parking requirements near transit.

September 1, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Marijuana

Zoning for Marijuana: Retail Not Included

Local municipalities in New Jersey retain local control in response to a state law that legalizes marijuana businesses throughout the state.

December 23, 2021 - NorthJersey.com

Mount Rainier

Office Demand in Seattle Suddenly Back and Bigger Than Ever

The fortunes of commercial real estate in Seattle have completely reversed since February, according to a new analysis.

May 10, 2021 - The Seattle Times

New York City Tech Office

Big Tech Bets on the Big Apple

Amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic, the four biggest U.S. technology companies have leased or bought enough office space in New York City for 22,000 employees.

October 15, 2020 - The New York Times

Coronavirus Lock Down

Commercial Rental Market Teeters on the Brink

Large numbers of commercial renters in New York City are missing rent, according to reports.

May 26, 2020 - The New York Times

Marijuana

It's Easier to Consume Marijuana in Public in Colorado, Starting Today

This article pitches Colorado's new commercial marijuana regulations, including making more space for public consumption, as a way for the state to keep up with California.

January 1, 2020 - The Know

Manhattan Retail

Easing the Tax Burden of Commercial Renters in Manhattan

Some renters of commercial renters in Manhattan will get the equivalent of a month's rent back if the city approves a change to the commercial rent tax.

January 26, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

Boston innovation district banner with lofts

Tech's Expanding Footprint

A new report from CBRE identifies the extent of the tech industry's expanding footprint in the United States, and where it might be headed next.

November 2, 2018 - CBRE

New York Vacant Storefront

Small Business, Co-Op Apartments Mixed Up in New York Bill

The debate about the Small Business Jobs Survival Act continues in New York City.

May 26, 2018 - Crain's New York Business

Office Building

Report: Suburban Construction Will Dominate the Office Market in 2018

Despite reports that the office market is shifting to the center city, the suburbs will dominate the office market in 2018, according to analysis from Yardi Systems.

December 6, 2017 - The Dallas Morning News

Seattle Councilmember Wants a Temporary Development Moratorium While Rezoning Proceeds

The vision for Aurora-Licton Springs includes more pedestrian-friendly housing developments—not the drive-in businesses, recycling and solid waste, vehicle sales, and mini-storage business that currently get permitted and built.

October 3, 2017 - The Urbanist

Salesforce Tower and 181 Fremont

Facebook to Expand in San Francisco

While everyone's attention in recent weeks has been on Amazon, another huge tech company has made a big bet on San Francisco.

September 21, 2017 - San Francisco Business Times

Houston Texas

Houston Commercial Vacancies Outpace All Large U.S. Cities

Commercial vacancies have "ballooned" in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle, as the energy slump takes hold of the real estate market. The last time vacancies were this high: the oil bust of the 1980s.

August 8, 2017 - Houston Chronicle

Bushwick

Study: 'Eyes on the Street' Have Real Value for Neighborhood Safety

The first study to make an attempt at quantifying the value of "eyes on street"—an idea most eloquently described by Jane Jacobs—offers reason to support a mix of uses, with businesses operating later in the evening.

July 24, 2017 - Next City

Where It's Cheapest to Build Out a New Office

With so much attention paid to the nation's housing crisis, it's still important to keep an eye on other kinds of uses. The office market is full of surprises, like cheap office build out costs in a city infamous for residential gentrification.

May 5, 2017 - Globe St.

Making Better Retail Districts in Seattle

Ryan Packer argues that Seattle could do more to improve its retail districts by updating its building codes to encourage dense, welcoming shopping districts.

November 22, 2016 - The Urbanist

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.