Design Guidelines

Chicago Mayor Emanuel Pondering New Sign Regulations in Trump Fallout

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his intentions to create ordinances that would prevent future design controversies like the maligned Trump sign above the Chicago River.

June 27, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Trump Sign

Trump's Controversial Sign of the Times in Chicago

The most conspicuous example of Chicago's recent spat of troubling signage is a 2,891-square-foot sign 200 feet above street level on the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago.

June 13, 2014 - Chicago Tribune

Los Angeles Smog

Developer Defeats Planning Expertise in Downtown Los Angeles

The Los Angeles City Council recently approved a pedestrian footbridge for a large development west of Downtown. The approval came suddenly and despite the protests of advocates, planning professionals, and the volunteer City Planning Commission.

May 25, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Toronto Curates its Skyline With Tall Building Design Guidelines

An update to Toronto's Tall Building Design Guidelines seeks to address problems with the seven-year-old planning document, while strengthening the protections afforded historic properties, key sightlines, and local context.

May 29, 2013 - The Toronto Star

Los Angeles Debates Controversial Citywide Design Guidelines

James Brasuell discusses the contentious proposal to adopt citywide design guidelines for use by L.A.'s City Council. While the guidelines are intended to raise the level of design throughout the city, some argue they will stifle good design.

February 28, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

"Creating Places for People"

That's the title of a draft report from the Australian Dept. of Infrastructure and Transport presenting model processes for creating high-quality urban environments.

October 21, 2011 - Architecture and Design

LA Weighs New Design Guidelines

Some critics say the proposed voluntary measures don’t have teeth, while others worry they lay the groundwork for overdevelopment.

October 26, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Can Design Guidelines Fit On Two Pages?

Brookhaven, New York received a 43-page Design Guideline document from their consultants. The city asked to have it all boiled down to one sheet, front and back.

September 10, 2010 - New Urban Network

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.