Phoenix

Google street view of vacant lot in Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix Facilitates School-to-Affordable Housing Development

Two Phoenix school districts are selling their underused properties to build over 200 units of affordable housing.

February 25, 2025 - The Copper Courier

Bus stop with agave mosaic in Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix Shade Plan Focuses on Bus Stops

The city’s updated Shade Master Plan calls for trees and built structures at bus stops to protect residents from heat.

January 9, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Phoenix, Arizona skyline with mountains in background.

Phoenix Announces Shade Action Plan

The city has outlined 11 strategic priorities aimed at addressing the risks of extreme heat and protecting vulnerable residents from its impacts.

November 22, 2024 - Environmental Energy Leader

Black and purple hybrid Phoenix Public Transit bus.

Phoenix Launches Hybrid Bus Fleet

The city aims to have a zero-emissions transit fleet by 2040.

August 13, 2024 - KTAR

View of city skyline with orange sky indicating extreme heat.

Addressing the Perils of Extreme Heat

With this year bringing on more record heat waves, governments at the local and federal levels are elevating extreme heat management as an urgent priority.

July 29, 2024 - Governing

Aerial view of downtown Phoenix, Arizona at sunset.

Phoenix Nonprofit Offers Medical Services to Unhoused Residents

The mobile medical units are administering IV fluids and treating heat-related illnesses as extreme heat blankets the Southwest.

July 10, 2024 - KOLD

Car-Centric Planning

Phoenix Seeks to Adopt AI for City and Regional Planning

An extension of the Phoenix metro region’s half-cent transportation sales tax by voters this November would give the city a green flag, and funding, to expand its use of AI as a planning tool.

June 11, 2024 - APM Research Lab

Aerial view of downtown Seattle, Washington.

Top 5 US Cities for Office-to-Residential Conversions

As more and more cities look to adapt vacant office buildings into homes, a new analysis from Urban Institute says some cities will benefit more than others.

June 7, 2024 - Urban Wire

Sunset view of downtown Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix Heat Deaths Rose by 1,000 Percent in 10 Years

The last decade saw a lethal combination of higher temperatures, rapid population growth, and rising eviction rates.

June 2, 2024 - Politico

Aerial view of downtown Phoenix, Arizona on a sunny day.

Video: Phoenix Sets its Sights on Vision Zero

The city hopes to eliminate traffic deaths in the next 25 years.

May 26, 2024 - ABC15 Arizona

Skyline of Phoenix, Arizona with mountains in background at dawn or dusk.

Phoenix: An Urban Planner's Guide to the City

A modern city with an ancient history, Phoenix became a booming desert oasis in the late 20th century. Now, extreme heat and dwindling water supplies require a new path forward.

May 15, 2024 - Planetizen

Yellow Cat heavy equipment working on light rail construction on road in Phoenix, Arizona.

Phoenix Grant Program Supports Small Businesses During Light Rail Work

Businesses impacted by light rail construction can still apply for grants to make up for lost revenue.

April 8, 2024 - KTAR

People ride bikes past outdoor restaurant patio with misters in Culdesac car-free development, Tempe, Arizona.

Car-Free Arizona Suburb Gains Residents

The project, dubbed Culdesac, offers EV rentals, free light rail passes, and other perks instead of private parking.

March 6, 2024 - Fast Company

Group of officials cutting purple ribbon.

Phoenix Light Rail Extension Opens Two Years Early

Valley Metro’s Northwest light rail extension brings the Phoenix light rail system to a total of 30 miles.

January 30, 2024 - ABC 15 (Phoenix)

White Waymo self-driving car in parking lot in Chandler, Arizona.

Waymo to Begin Autonomous Rides on Phoenix Freeways

The company’s autonomous cars will start testing freeway rides with employees as passengers.

January 9, 2024 - The Arizona Republic

Phoenix

Phoenix Approves Speed Limit Reductions

The city lowered speed limits on 15 street segments to improve traffic safety and bring them in line with regulations.

December 10, 2023 - KTAR

Close-up of accessible stop button on public bus.

Phoenix Transit Riders Face Accessibility Challenges

Disability advocates want the city’s transit agencies to expand the scope of their accessibility efforts to include a broader range of needs.

November 26, 2023 - AZ Big Media

Suburban Phoenix single-family homes in a cul-de-sac, one with large saguaro cactus in front yard

Phoenix Approves ADUs

The city hopes backyard ‘casitas’ can help alleviate the housing crisis.

September 11, 2023 - The Center Square

Maricopa County, Arizona

Phoenix Could Ease Parking Requirements to Support Transit, Affordable Housing

In addition to lower citywide parking requirements on residential properties, a proposed law in Phoenix would lower minimum parking requirements even further for affordable housing developments near the city’s light rail system.

July 20, 2023 - Arizona Central

Google street view of vacant lot in Phoenix, Arizona with palm trees in foreground

Phoenix Moves to Build Affordable Housing on City-Owned Land

The city has so far issued two requests for proposals from developers to build mixed-income housing on city-owned lots.

July 10, 2023 - Arizona Republic

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.