Urban Development

Silicon Valley

Palo Alto Includes Industrial Rezonings in its State-Mandated Housing Element

Palo Alto, a Silicon Valley city with a history of exclusionary zoning tactics, has produced a new Housing Element that calls for more than 6,000 housing units to be built in the city by 2031.

November 16, 2022 - Palo Alto Online

Ohio River

Where and Why Rezonings Are More Likely to Succeed

A new analysis of developer-initiated rezonings in Louisville, Kentucky sheds light on how the land use regulation system works.

November 16, 2022 - Urban Institute

View of Ocean Drive with colorfu three-story buildings and palm trees

Voters Reject Miami Beach High-Rises

Developers planning to build above the city’s current height limit will have to go back to the drawing board.

November 16, 2022 - The Wall Street Journal

Multiple bridges busy with cars cross Lady Bird Lake outside downtown Austin, Texas.

Skyscraper Proposed for Austin Would Be Tallest in Texas

The skylines are starting to catch up to the hype about everything being bigger in Texas.

November 15, 2022 - Towers

A close up image of the exterior of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda illuminated at dusk.

Elizabeth Warren Points to Development as a Path for Electoral Success

An op-ed written by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) details Democrats’ recent track record of large-scale capital investments and calls for more.

November 14, 2022 - The Washington Post

The sign for a WeWork office appears at the exterior of a brick high-rise in a dense downtown.

Seeking a Post-Pandemic Comeback, WeWork to Close More Offices

WeWork isn’t dead yet, hoping to ride post-pandemic interest in flexible workspace to a comeback story for the ages. There are still cuts to be made, however.

November 14, 2022 - CoStar News

Toronto

‘Skyscraper Race’ Underway in Toronto

No skyline in North America has changed as drastically as Toronto’s in recent decades. A slate of new skyscraper proposals, called a “skyscraper race” by observers, could continue the trend.

November 13, 2022 - Toronto Star

Fort Worth Stockyards sign at night

Business Group Fights Apartments in Fort Worth Stockyards

The city’s zoning commission voted to require city council approval for new apartments east of Packers Street and Niles City Boulevard after a local business group coplained about added traffic.

November 11, 2022 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

View of Austin, Texas skyline at dusk with Colorado River and bridge in foreground

New Green Development Rules Take Effect in Austin

The city updated its development code to include more robust protection for local wetlands and stricter sustainable stormwater infrastructure requirements.

November 10, 2022 - Urbanize Austin

Bunker Hill, Charlestown

Tracking Boston’s Emissions Reduction Progress

The Boston Foundation published the “Inaugural Boston Climate Progress Report” earlier this month. Other U.S. cities should follow their lead.

November 10, 2022 - The Boston Foundation

"Vote Here" sidewalk sign with American flag

2022 Midterm Election Results for Land Use, Transportation, and the Climate

The most closely watched midterm election since the last midterm election offered voters an opportunity to decide on matters of consequence related to land use, housing, transportation, and the environment.

November 9, 2022 - James Brasuell

A Link light rail transit train navigates a corner with an empty field and parked cars in the background.

Airport-Adjacent Seattle Suburb Aims for a Transit-Oriented Overhaul

The challenges and opportunities of transforming from a car-centric to a transit-oriented, affordable built environment are on display in a Seattle suburb.

November 9, 2022 - The Urbanist

A picture of a decorative sign announcing “The Domain” surrounded by high density shops and apartments.

New Building Heights Approved for Austin

A zoning change has increase height limits from 308 feet to 420 feet for new buildings near the city’s MLS stadium.

November 7, 2022 - Austin Monitor

Close-up of microphone on stand with blurred seating in background

How to Include Community Ideas in Urban Development

Urban planners are obligated to sensible and efficient development, but can also take community ideas into account. By prioritizing concerns and thoughts and keeping the future in mind, planners can develop optimal urban communities.

November 7, 2022 - Devin Partida

Claiborne Ave expressway passing over Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans

‘Reconnecting Communities’ Could Fund Highway Expansions

Applications to the program reveal a pattern of state agencies requesting funds for projects that perpetuate car-centric development with only nominal equity components.

November 6, 2022 - Streetsblog USA

A surface parking lot, full of cars, is located between tall buildings and urban density.

Court Ruling a Setback for California’s ‘Builder’s Remedy’

A state court has ruled in favor of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ efforts to block a development project despite the state’s efforts to intervene.

November 6, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

An image of Washington D.C. with highways and the streaks from car head and tail lights in the foreground, and the Washington Monument in the background.

D.C. Office of Planning Unveils Congress Heights Equitable Development Plan

The district’s small area plans (SAPs) are designed to ensure equitable economic and community development at the hyper-local level.

November 4, 2022 - Greater Greater Washington

Gentrification

How to Recognize Gentrification

A new book digs into the politics and contradictions of the gentrification debate.

November 3, 2022 - Next City

Aerial view of high-rise buildings on waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts

Why Cities Will Outlast the Pandemic Slump

A new report suggests that despite recent challenges, the ‘value proposition’ of urban activity centers remains as strong as ever.

November 1, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Growth Plan Approved

The county council approved the much-debated long-range growth plan, preparing the region for a shift toward more mid-density housing and transit-oriented development.

October 27, 2022 - The Washington Post

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.