Public Space

High Line with Denari

Recoupling Planning and Landscape Architecture

A closer marriage between planning and landscape architecture would mean strong connections between the processes of policy making and place making.

November 21, 2019 - ASLA The Dirt

Presidio San Francisco

S.F. Park Will Provide Panoramic Views of the Bay

In the northwest part of San Francisco, a new park will link the Presidio to the popular Crissy Field.

November 13, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Giants

Sports-Related Development Transforming San Francisco's Waterfront South of Downtown

The Giants announced two massive development proposals in recent weeks, and the Warriors are opening a new arena to regular season games later this week.

October 22, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Dallas, Texas

From Parking Lot to Urban Green Space

The first of four new parks opening in Dallas in the next few years opened earlier this month—Pacific Plaza park.

October 21, 2019 - The Dallas Morning News

Brooklyn Redevelopment

Brooklyn Navy Yard's Transformation in High Gear

A Curbed feature details the ongoing transformation of a formerly inaccessible and inhospitable corner of New York City.

September 28, 2019 - Curbed New York

Car-Free Public Space

New Car-Free Public Space Remains a Challenge to Create

A new study from Drexel University's Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation surveys the obstacles and challenges making it more difficult to build car-free public spaces, like plazas and parklets, in Philadelphia.

September 23, 2019 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Manhattan

Designs Revealed for Manhattan's First Public Beach

A designer was chosen in January, and conceptual rendering were released in July. Project boosters are also pushing an ambitious timeline that would start construction in late 2020.

July 30, 2019 - Curbed New York

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston City Hall Plaza Ready for a Makeover

Bostonians love to hate City Hall Plaza. That could change, as the city finalizes a renovation project that aims to transform the way the public sees the city's government.

June 8, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Los Angeles

Unequal Distribution of Shade Is Environmental Injustice

A longread, written by Sam Boch and published by Places Journal, has been creating a stir online and is highly recommended for those with an interest in intersections between social justice and urban design.

May 3, 2019 - Places Journal

Arlington Virginia

When Does a Public Space Plan Rely Too Much on Pavement?

The debate leading up to the recent approval of the Arlington County, Virginia Public Spaces Master Plan reveals the competing pressures on park planning in 2019.

May 2, 2019 - ARLnow

Pittsburgh Public Space EVent

We Need More Words for Play

Could cities harness the power of play to build more healthy, resilient, and equitable communities, if only we had the words for it?

April 25, 2019 - Sarah Siplak

Woman Walking

How to Design and Plan to Address the Root Causes of Gender Inequality

Gender equality has never played such a prominent role in the design of public and urban spaces. The world needs more than superficial, reactionary measures to address the long history of public space as the physical realm of patriarchy.

April 12, 2019 - Behavioral Scientist

Los Angeles Homeless

The Battle for Public Space: Business Owners vs. Homeless Residents

The role of business improvement districts in criminalizing homelessness reflects a tension between private interests and public space, Rob Waters writes.

March 18, 2019 - Next City

San Francisco Parklet

Role of S.F. Parklets as Public Space Not Always Clear

Parklets in San Francisco are available for public use, but often they serve as extensions of the dining rooms of eateries.

February 25, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Contest: Design a Logo for New York's Privately-Owned Public Spaces

New York City is holding a competition for a distinctive logo to clearly demarcate all of its 550 privately-owned public spaces.

February 22, 2019 - AM New York

Chattahoochee River

Master Plan Strives for a 'Seamless' Chattahoochee River for the Atlanta Region

A comprehensive study to revitalize the Atlanta regional waterfront, dubbed the Chattahoochee RiverLands project, is now underway.

January 4, 2019 - Saporta Report

Portland, Oregon

Planning a Successful Neighborhood Square

Insight from Barcelona and Portland on how to plan and design an active, welcoming neighborhood square.

November 29, 2018 - The Western Planner

Subway Library

The Mysteries Of 'Social Infrastructure'

In his new book Palaces for the People, sociologist Eric Klinenberg explores the places—from libraries and schools to cafes and churches—where cities' social lives take place. It's a compelling idea but one that Klinenberg discusses clumsily.

November 6, 2018 - California Planning & Development Report

Surveying

Toronto Mayoral Candidate Suggests Repurposing City Golf Courses

Former chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat wants to transform three failing golf courses into free public spaces.

October 9, 2018 - The Toronto Star

Small Town Pedestrian

Sidewalks and Footpaths 'Functionally Obsolete' in the Near Transportation Future

With so much attention devoted to how technology will change roadways and vehicles, less speculation has attended to the ways technology will change walking.

July 14, 2018 - Foreground

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.