Density
Is 'Walking Distance' Overrated?
The common wisdom about walkable neighborhoods holds that density – proximity to destinations – determines the number of walking trips. An ideal walking distance of a quarter mile is usually prescribed between residences and the nearest transit stop or retail center. I don’t dispute that walking distance is important, especially when I’m lugging an armload of groceries. However, some trendy high-density development favors compactness at the expense of comfort and safety.
Areas of Stability and Change
Two new classifications of land in Denver -- areas of change and areas of stability -- are moving the city's redevelopment and densification plans forward.
Two kinds of sprawl
Once every few semesters, I teach a seminar on "Sprawl and the Law." On the first day of the seminar, I ask students what "sprawl" is. After getting a variety of answers, I reveal the truth: most definitions of sprawl involve one of two separate definitions: "Where we grow"- Sprawl as movement from the core to the fringe of a region. "How we grow"- Sprawl as development oriented towards drivers as opposed to nondrivers.
Hollywood High?
Developers and politicians in L.A. are stealthily moving forward with plans to build a skyscraper in the heart of Hollywood -- a 40-story project that would tower high over existing development in the area.
Insuring Good Cities, One Mile At A Time
I once was consigned to a table full of business school students at a land-use conference at UCLA. Trying to be a good sport, I offered the only idea that I'd ever had about business: car insurance charged according to miles driven. I posited that since risk and mileage were more or less correlated, it only made sense that people who drove more and incurred more risk should pay more. My tablemates stared back at me as if I had just issued a rousing recitation of Das Kapital.
Los Angeles Official Takes Up Anti-Density Cause
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky has becoming increasingly outspoken against the city's new density bonus, saying it goes against the will of residents and will contribute to the destruction of stable neighborhoods.
Is Vancouver Ready For EcoDensity?
Already praised for its efforts at encouraging residential density in its urban core, Vancouver's mayor is pushing for a new EcoDensity charter that would push for higher densities citywide. But even in Vancouver, residents are wary of more density.
Residents Sue Over State Density Bonus Law
Upset about the effect of California State Bill 1818's override of local zoning restrictions, a Los Angeles resident has sued the city to overturn its density bonus ordinance. Others may soon follow.
A Look at L.A.'s Density Bonus
This segment from Which Way, L.A.? discusses Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's density bonus plans.
The Densest Cities in America
The blog post features a list of the top five densest cities in America, and looks at the conditions that have made them that way.
San Francisco's New PD Talks About City's Challenges
Architect Magazine talks with San Francisco's new planning director, John Rahaim, about the urban planning challenges and issues in the city.
A Rerun In The Campaign For Mayor Of L.A.
Twenty years ago, Los Angeles voters chose Tom Bradley's "world city" vision over a slow-growth councilman's carping about overdevelopment. Voters may face the same choice - and one of the same candidates - in 2009.
Viewing L.A.'s Density Debate From the Passenger's Seat
A Los Angeles Times columnist hears about the Los Angeles density controversy and sees its implications during a recent drive around town with County Commissioner Zev Yaroslavsky.
Suburban Detroit Builds Up, Not Out
The suburban Detroit town of Wixom is looking to lure in residents by creating dense downtown living.
Bringing Harlem Back
New York City officials hope that a recently approved rezoning for Harlem will revive the neighborhood.
Wilshire Grows and Traffic Follows
A swath of residential developments are ushering in a more dense and more lively atmosphere into L.A.'s Wilshire corridor. But many are concerned that the new residences will add too much traffic to an already congested area.
High Rising Along Toronto's Lakefront
Officials in Toronto have announced plans to densify the city's waterfront with a redevelopment effort that stands to create high rises along the lakefront.
Suburb Eyes Urban Density
Officials in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler are rallying behind proposals to increase density in the city, arguing that the urban shift will make the city more vibrant.
Canada's Ready for Urban Shift
The age of the suburbs may be coming to an end in America, and conditions in Canada are even more ripe for this transition to urban density.
Beneath the Surface of L.A.'s Densification
This article from the LA Weekly looks at efforts by the city planning department and key politicians to increase the density of the city.
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.
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