Historic Preservation

Washington, D.C. Historic District

Balancing Aesthetics and Affordability

Policies too narrowly focused on design can drive up the cost of construction and prevent the development of affordable housing.

April 20, 2021 - Slate

Washington, D.C. Rowhouses

Transformers Vs. Historical Preservation

A row over two Transformers statues in a D.C. neighborhood lays bare the "absurdities" inherent in historical preservation, one writer argues.

April 12, 2021 - Georgetown Metropolitan

CBS Television City, Los Angeles, Caliifornia.

L.A.'s Historic CBS Campus Will Undergo Billion-Dollar Expansion

The Television City revamp will more than double the currently available space and include a multi-modal mobility hub, pedestrian improvements, and a "robust" transportation demand management program.

April 5, 2021 - The Architect's Newspaper

Aerial of Wallingford, Seattle circa 1969

Historic Preservation as a Tool of Exclusion

The push for historic preservation districts often amounts to exclusionary zoning that exacerbates the housing affordability crisis.

February 14, 2021 - The Urbanist

National Register of Historic Places Plaque

It's Time to Diversify the National Historic Register

The network of historic sites honors important events in the nation's history but overlooks places related to women and minorities.

December 27, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Cement gravestones reading Father and Mother

The Race to Preserve America's Black Cemeteries

America's historic Black cemeteries, which have long fallen victim to displacement, relocation, and outright destruction, could have a new ally in the fight for preservation and recognition.

December 22, 2020 - Time Magazine

Washington, D.C. Historic District

Opinion: Historic Preservation's Climate Problem Reveals its Class Problem

A strongly worded opinion piece calls out historic preservation as a tool of the affluent urban elite.

January 29, 2020 - The New York Times

Brooklyn Open Space

What Is Adaptive Reuse?

Key to urban revitalization or harbinger of gentrification—whichever way you look at it, adaptive reuse has been a key development type in the transformation of U.S. cities throughout the 21st century.

January 22, 2020 - James Brasuell

5  Pointz New York City

The Urban Landscape New York City Lost in the 2010s

Over the last decade, many historic buildings and cultural institutions throughout New York City have disappeared. The result has been the transformation of neighborhoods and the city’s character.

December 29, 2019 - Curbed New York

Diner

Denver Looks to Landmark Designation Changes

In the aftermath of a battle around preservation of a Denver diner, local officials are considering changes to the city’s historic landmark law.

September 18, 2019 - The Denver Post

Elfreth's Alley

Philadelphia Planning Commission Approves ADU Bill

The commission recommended a trio of bills focused on historic preservation, including one that would permit accessory dwelling units on historic properties.

August 27, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Electric Scooters

Historic Preservation—A Reason to Nix Scooters?

Scooter opponents in Alexandria, Virginia, claim the devices threaten the historic character of the city, but supporters say the argument is nonsense.

August 21, 2019 - Greater Greater Washington

Union Terminal Cincinnati

Preservation and Redevelopment Can Work Hand in Hand

While historic preservation is often perceived to be a hinderance to development efforts, preserving buildings actually helps economic development, say advocates.

April 22, 2019 - Cincinnati Edition

Italy

A Good Read for Planners and Peers: Why Old Places Matter

A recent book brings a common sense framework to historic preservation debates.

February 13, 2019 - Charles R. Wolfe

MacDougal Street

Historic Preservation And High Rents

Although individual old buildings may be less expensive than newer ones nearby, historic preservation may make both old and new buildings more expensive.

February 4, 2019 - Michael Lewyn

Atlanta Aerial

Atlanta’s Planning Commissioner Won’t Tolerate Bad Design Any Longer

Tim Keane says quality design isn’t negotiable and developers need to aim higher.

December 23, 2018 - SaportaReport

Baltimore Demolition

The Pace of Chicago Demolitions Worries Preservationists

In neighborhoods with lots of new development, buildings cited in the Chicago Historic Resources Survey are coming down fast.

June 1, 2018 - Chicago Magazine

Trailer Park

How Mobile Homes Fill a 'Critical Gap' in Affordable Housing

Cities across America have a housing crisis on their hands—should they be talking more about trailer parks?

April 27, 2018 - CityLab

Georgia

Could Savannah Lose Historic District Designation?

The National Park Service (NPS) recently commissioned a study to assess the integrity and condition of the Savannah National Historic Landmark District. That report recommends the district be categorized as “threatened.”

April 13, 2018 - Modern Cities

Dead

Historic Preservation vs. the Housing Crisis

How can cities balance the benefits of historic preservation with the need for new housing?

January 2, 2018 - Sightline

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.