Development

Strand Bookstore

Gentrification Enters Preservation Debate Surrounding NYC's Strand Bookstore

The Renaissance Revival building that houses New York City's beloved Strand Bookstore is under consideration by the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission. The case has provoked debate between rival advocates.

July 19, 2019 - Pacific Standard

Portland

Uncertain Future of Portland’s Neighborhood Associations Causing Controversy

A proposal to dissolve the groups has led to a debate about their purpose and who really benefits from them.

July 18, 2019 - Oregon Live

Oakland Architecture in Music Video

Does Oakland Have a Future as a Public City?

The city is experiencing significant growth and development, but it has a complicated history of booms and lags and its civic future is uncertain.

May 30, 2019 - Places Journal

Multi-Family Building

Buildings Full of Empty Apartments Pose Problems in China

Failed investments and buildings with no tenants sit on the outskirts of Beijing and Shanghai.

March 4, 2019 - CityLab

Surface Parking

Four Parking Spots for Every Car in Phoenix

A new study quantifies just how much of the city of Phoenix is parking.

March 3, 2019 - Streetsblog USA

Central Park - Manhattan, New York

Private Developers Building More Public Parks in New York City

Private developers are building parks around New York to satisfy zoning laws.

June 15, 2018 - The New York Times

Texas Suburb

Study: There's a Lot of Vacant Land in Texas Cities

All that empty acreage means that these big, rapidly developing cities don’t really have to sprawl.

June 11, 2018 - CommercialCafe

Mountain Lion

The Best Locations for L.A.’s Mountain Lion Freeway Bridges

A coalition of researchers have identified one area near the 101 and other near I-15 that would help keep the big cats alive and healthy.

May 28, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

San Francisco Bay

How SB 827 'Cleaved the California Environmental Movement'

Even before the bill was defeated, it exposed a major generational divide between anti-development environmentalists and their pro-density, pro-housing heirs.

April 23, 2018 - San Francisco Magazine

Rainy Wetlands

Why Would Arizona Deregulate Groundwater Now?

For decades the arid state has required most new construction projects to demonstrate adequate water supply, but at the edge of the next dry spell, two lawmakers are trying to get rid of the rules.

April 9, 2018 - The Arizona Republic

The Wharf D.C.

$2 Billion Riverfront Development Now Open in D.C.

The first phase of Washington D.C.'s The Wharf is now open, bringing glitz to a formerly quiet section of waterfront.

November 2, 2017 - The Architect's Newspaper

Los Angeles Traffic - The Newhall Pass

Massive Newhall Ranch Deal Will Expand L.A. County's Footprint

FivePoint Holdings will pay $25 million for environmental preservation, in exchange for access to the undeveloped L.A. County land.

October 20, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Houston Texas

Up and Running: The Speedy Recovery of Houston's City Hall

Following Hurricane Harvey, Houston's City Hall became flooded with four feet of water, rendering the building's electrical and mechanical equipment useless. Restoring power back to City Hall quickly was crucial in aiding the recovery efforts.

October 6, 2017 - Doggerel

Washington D.C.

A Relentless D.C. Zoning Activist

Chris Otten says change doesn't come from "being nice to decision makers," so he's comfortable being confrontational with developers and City Council members he sees as taking advantage of the poor.

May 30, 2017 - The Washington Post

Scaffolding

The Costs of California Building Codes

Reconciling accessibility and safety with costs and innovation in the Golden State.

May 1, 2017 - The Bay City Beacon

Portland

Relief for the High-End Renter in Portland

Portland has built many new apartments in the city's core, and that seems to be slowing down rent growth in the area.

March 14, 2017 - The Oregonian

110 Freeway

In Building Homes Near Highways, L.A. Ignores a Public Health Issue

Los Angeles seems primed for a development boom, but when developments are built near highways there can be serious health consequences.

March 6, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine

Black Entrepreneurship in a Gentrifying Cincinnati Neighborhood

As Over-the-Rhine becomes a more prosperous neighborhood, some have undertaken efforts to make sure the long-time residents don't get left behind.

February 5, 2017 - Next City

Clear-Sky Flood

Houston's Rapid Growth Will Make Future Floods Worse

Houston's development has meant the loss of many wetlands, a key factor in protecting the against floods. This, coupled with climate change, will mean more floods, causing more danger and damage to the growing city.

December 15, 2016 - ProPublica

Goose Island Chicago

Map: Chicago Has a Lot of Developable Land

An interactive map from Chicago Cityscape shows all of the city's parking lots, vacant spaces, and city-owned land. Not all of it is truly vacant, or developable, but the map shows how much scope remains for new construction.

November 27, 2016 - Chicago Cityscape

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.