Development Incentives
Boise Plans for 'Urban Renewal District'
The proposal seeks to sustainably manage development along State Street, support local businesses, and improve public transit and pedestrian infrastructure in the area.
Reducing Car Trips in L.A.: Transportation Demand Management Ordinance Could Be Expanded
The proposed expansion would affect smaller multi-family developments and include incentives for reducing travel during peak hours and encouraging transit, walking, and biking.
Building on Recent Planning Success in Akron
Following the success of Planning to Grow Akron, spurring the development of thousands of housing units in the previously stagnant city, Planning to Grow Akron 2.0 will leverage federal stimulus funds to further stabilize the city's housing market.
Study: New Markets Tax Credit 'Does What it Promises, Most of the Time'
The program, which gives tax credits to investors, has resulted in added jobs, increased incomes, and low rates of displacement.
What Is Floor Area Ratio?
Floor area ratio (FAR) is a critical measurement to the field of planning. FAR defines development intensity and determines numerous other regulations and development outcomes.
Sweeping Zoning Reforms Adopted in Olympia
The Olympia, Washington City Council adopted a new Housing Options Code Amendments ordinance, effectively eliminating single-family zoning in the city.
Researchers Flaunt the Benefits of Reduced Minimum Parking Requirements
Seattle is one of the U.S. cities shrinking minimum parking requirements to allow for denser, more affordable development near transit.
Loopholes in Texas Development Tax Break Break Affordable Housing Promises
A tax break approved by the Texas Legislature is delivering massive benefits to developers in the state, but advocates say the public isn't getting the promised return on investment.
Early Returns on Austin's New Density Bonus Program: 2,337 Affordable Housing Units
Since late 2019, developers who deliver affordable housing units in Austin have received bonuses in height, density, parking, and other regulatory metrics, leading to a large number of new affordable housing units in the pipeline.
Developers Rush to Build in Final Days of Philly's Tax Abatement
Neighborhoods that have been stubbornly resistant to investment for decades are suddenly the scene of waves of permitting activity as the city of Philadelphia prepares to tighten its tax abatement program.
Report Assesses Equity Outcomes for the Opportunity Zone Program
Critics have raised doubts and concerns about the potential misuse of the federal Opportunity Zone program since it was approved in 2017, but a new report finds some evidence that the program is working toward its promoted intention.
Debating Public Incentives for Private Developments
A debate common in growing cities around the country is taking place in Atlanta in answer to the question of how much support private developers need from the public.
Opportunity Zones Under Investigation by Treasury Inspector General
Along with other members of congress, one of the authors of the law that established the federal Opportunity Zones program has asked the Treasury Department to investigate potential abuse of the program. The Treasury inspector general is obliging.
Arlington Greenlights $810 Million Hotel and Convention Center Project
The public-private partnership is a massive expansion of the city’s entertainment district.
Planning for Infill Growth Doesn't Guarantee Development: a Case Study
The city of Santa Rosa has made a concerted effort to plan for new development, but projects have yet to materialize.
San Diego Could Eliminate Height Limits Near Transit
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is following up on an idea first pitched during a State of the City address, but with a few teaks.
Transit-Oriented Housing Development Plan Falls Flat in San Francisco
The Home SF plan was supposed to usher in a wave of new housing development on transit corridors in San Francisco. Now, 2.5 years later, that promise might finally be ready to become reality.
Expert Opines on the Fiscal Disincentives Undermining Local Approval of Housing Development
Larry Kosmont identifies the fiscal dysfunction driving city resistance to state-mandated density and offers institutional explanations for California’s current housing crisis.
Numerous Development Subsidies Approved, Despite Controversy, in Cincinnati
The lengths to which the city of Cincinnati should go to attract development investments was up for debate this week.
Choosing Incentives Over Mandates for Minimum Urban Densities
Washington's House Bill 1923 is one of a number of bills under consideration this year on the West Coast that attempts to leverage the power of the state for the sake of new development.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
