Controversies

Marvin Braude Bike Path

Los Angeles Councilmember Chooses the Side of Traffic Safety

Los Angeles Councilmember Mike Bonin sent a clear message to commuters upset about traffic calming projects in his district: "We don’t have to lose one more precious life."

June 23, 2017 - Los Angeles Council District 11

Frisbee Golf

Why the Controversy Over a Planned Disc Golf Course in New Jersey Is a Big Deal

America's freedoms allow Americans the right to complain, vociferously, about things like a planned disc golf course.

June 16, 2017 - The Record

Portland Weird

How Not to Solve a Housing Crisis

More trouble in River City, as Portland and Oregon struggle with rising housing costs and come up with a puzzling solution.

June 8, 2017 - Michael Mehaffy

Brutalism

Brutalism Becoming a Source of Preservation Controversy

Brutalism might not be anybody's idea of beautiful, but that doesn't mean examples of the architectural style aren't beloved by many. As Brutalism comes of age as historic, preservation battles are heating up—especially in Washington, D.C.

May 30, 2017 - AP via SFgate

Sloan Lake

Conspicuous and Controversial Condo Building Breaks Ground in Denver

Sloan Lake is getting a new neighbor.

May 26, 2017 - The Denver Post

Interstate Highway

L.A. Metro Board Removes Support for Controversial 710 Freeway Tunnel Plan

The saga of the 710 Freeway will continue, as it has for decades. Now, however, a proposal to build a 6.3-mile tunnel from El Sereno to Pasadena, has lost key support from the regional transportation agency.

May 26, 2017 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Purple Line Extension

Court Ruling Could Be a Final Setback for Maryland Purple Line Extension

A recent ruling by a U.S. district court could be a deathblow for the 16-mile Purple Line extension into Maryland, as well as for transit planning in general.

May 23, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Forest Lightning

Inside the Interior Department's Review of National Monuments

The fate of 26 national monuments hangs in the balance, as the Interior Department holds a review process. Public comment is open until July 10.

May 19, 2017 - CNBC

Denver Cap Park

I-70 Expansion in Denver Still Facing Scrutiny

A planned expansion of Interstate 70 through Denver might have federal approval, but a growing coalition of local groups and state political leaders are pushing back on the idea.

May 18, 2017 - The Denver Post

U.S. Census

Turmoil at the U.S. Census Bureau as Director Resigns

John H. Thompson resigned on Tuesday from his position as director of the U.S. Census Bureau. Thompson served as director of the Census Bureau since 2013.

May 10, 2017 - The Washington Post

Los Angeles

Lawsuit Closes Popular Hiking Trail to the Hollywood Sign

Closing today: one of the most popular hiking trails in the Hollywood Hills, another case of the antipathy between public access and private property.

April 18, 2017 - KPCC

Oregon

Multi-Family Development in Portland Stalls at a Controversial Crossroads for the City

On the one hand, the city of Portland is facing pressure to add new housing and development to meet the needs of a growing population and an expensive real estate market. On the other hand, change is never easy.

April 17, 2017 - Portland Tribune

D.C. Metro

D.C. Metro's Recent Controversial Decision: Painting Over Brutalism

Controversy erupted last week in Washington, D.C., after D.C. Metro decided to paint Union Station's vaulted ceilings—a famous icon of the District, it's regional transit system, and the architectural style of Brutalism.

April 6, 2017 - WAMU

San Francisco

Leading San Francisco Architect Picks a Fight With the City's Planning Department

Architects and planners have to work together, as everyone on both sides of the equation knows. Even though the fields often speak the same language, there still seem to be many moments and ideas lost in translation.

April 5, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

New York City

The Great Debate: Are Liberal Cities Good or Bad for the Country?

A contentious debate broke out this week, after a pundit proposed breaking up the consolidation of economic and political power of the country's liberal cities.

March 30, 2017 - The New York Times

Never Built New York: The Pier 55 Park Project for the Hudson River

The Pier 55 proposal made a big splash in New York when it was proposed in 2014, but now it appears headed for the trash bin of history.

March 28, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

Halloween

Sesame Street vs. Donald Trump

Sesame Street, which would lose federal support if some of the cuts proposed by the Trump Administration's draft budget go into effect, has been lampooning Donald Trump since long before he became president.

March 22, 2017 - The Boston Globe

Austin Cycle

SXSW Attendees Troubled by Austin's Lack of Uber

What happens when SXSW stops being polite, and starts getting real?

March 20, 2017 - Next City

Charlotte Lynx

Light Rail Opening Next Year, More Lines Proposed—Transit Debates Keep Finding Charlotte

An extension of the Lynx Blue Line is schedule to open to the public on March 31, 2018. Controversy regarding sales taxes have traditionally followed transit projects in the region.

March 12, 2017 - Charlotte Magazine

Los Angeles Grand Park

L.A. Planning Referendum, Measure S, Soundly Defeated

Measure S and an oddly timed election brought planning and development to the center of the public consciousness in Los Angeles for a few months. The voters resoundingly supported one side of the issue.

March 8, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

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.