Urban Development
El Paso to Walk the Walk
Citing a recent study that demonstrates higher home values in walkable neighborhoods, officials in El Paso say it's time to change the way their city grows.
Demystifing the Development Process
The L.A. City Planning Commission president and architect, Bill Roschen, talks about how the commission is implementing clear and consistent policies toward their goal of "Doing Real Planning" in Los Angeles.
Become an Unscrupulous Developer, Virtually
Monopoly: City Streets melds the board game with Google Maps gives you the chance to buy the world's streets and develop your dream project on them (in competition with other players, of course.)
Rail Riders Discover that Going the Extra Mile is the Hardest Part
Many would-be train riders are frustrated by poor transit options at their destination city.
Pittsburgh Preps for its Debut on the World Stage
Why the decision to host the next G-20 summit in Steel City is a good one.
Smart Growth Program Vetoed
Texas Governor Rick Perry recently vetoed a bill that would have created a state level "smart growth" program.
Sprawl Halted in New Jersey
The Morris County Planning Board indicates that no new residential subdivisions of 20 or more lots were received in 2008, which signals the end of large-tract developments.
If A German Town Can Go Car-Free, Why Not America?
An article in the New York Times this week profiled Vauban, Germany, a town without cars. NYTime's Room for Debate Blog asked planners and developers to envision a car-free town in America.
The Future Office: Flexible, and Collaborative
Once the economy bounces back, new office space development will allow for time-sharing and flexibility, said experts at a recent forum hosted by ULI.
The Slumdog's City in a City
Watching Slumdog Millionaire, the Oscar winning film of 2008 that is being released on DVD today, can be a bracing experience for those accustomed to the conveniences of Western living. The destitute living is accurately and graphically depicted and is all too real for those that have seen it. Yet, the real danger is letting the poverty obscure a larger, perhaps more important lesson about urban places: Many of these urban slums are functioning, productive cities in their own right, and represent an intergenerational path toward economic improvement.
Predicting McCain and Obama's Effect on Cities
Neal Pierce asks the question, 'Who's Best for Cities, McCain or Obama?' The evidence has been difficult to come by, but Pierce unearths some clues and makes some logical predictions.
Freakonomics Investigates Suburbia
Urban experts weigh in on the future of the suburbs.
Fresh Food Financing
Pennsylvania is putting its money where its mouth is with the Fresh Food Financing Initiative, a $120 million fund to encourage inner-city groceries.
Suburbia Running Out of Gas
The economics of long commutes are forcing many to the conclusion that suburban living is no longer viable, and suburban housing prices are falling accordingly.
Tiny Monaco Using Stilts to Expand
The second-smallest country in the world (after the Vatican) has plans to expand its territory by building more land on stilts in an idea inspired by oil rigs.
Tornado Clears Way for LEED Platinum Building
The 5-4-7 Arts Center in Greensburg, Kansas gets a LEED platinum designation- evidence that the town, which was 95% destroyed by a tornado in May, 2006, is making good on its sustainable rebuilding plan.
One Man's Legacy in L.A.
William Fulton reflects on the lasting impact of L.A. developer Robert Maguire III on the city.
Big Box on a Diet
Big box stores are following their customers into downtowns, and stores like Circuit City and Target are retooling for density.
Portland's Smart Growth Faces Cries of Gentrification
Portland, famed for its progressive policies and smart growth, is facing criticism that the same growth they are applauded for is squeezing other groups out- particularly African-Americans.
Big Box Thinking When Siting Schools is Creating Sprawl
New schools are consistently built far from community centers, while historic school buildings near where people live are demolished, The Blue Ridge Press reports.
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.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
