Urban Development

$250 Million In Reduced Property Values Claimed In Portland

Claims worth more than $250 million have been filed in Portland, Oregon, where a law passed in 2004 allows property owners to file for compensation from the city when regulations reduce the value of their property.

December 20, 2006 - The Portland Tribune

City of the 21st Century: Not Business as Usual

At a recent meeting of the Urban Land Institute, delegates discussed what urban development will look like in the 21st Century -- and what it will need to be successful.

December 20, 2006 - The Seattle Times

NIMBYism Comes To China

Middle class residents of Shenzhen successful opposed plans for a new freeway, signaling a potential backlash to the country's rapid growth.

December 20, 2006 - The New York Times

U.S. Development Experts Discuss Future Growth

Neal Peirce reports on the Urban Land Institute's Larson Forum, where experts discussed to grow given the projection of 100 million more people by 2043 in the U.S.?

December 19, 2006 - The Houston Chronicle

Horse-Riding Citizens Fight Grocery Store

In one of few areas in L.A. zoned to allow horses, Burbank horse owners have convinced the local planning board to reject a plan to build a Whole Foods grocery store in their neighborhood. The retailer offered concessions, but the battle continues.

December 18, 2006 - The New York Times

Austin, Texas OKs Stricter Guidelines For Big-Box Retail

New rules approved by the Austin City Council require that neighbors be notified of proposed big-box development and that a public hearing be held for the project.

December 18, 2006 - Austin American-Statesman

Converting A High School Into Housing

In a creative deal to save a historic structure and also add to the city's desperately needed stock of workforce housing, the school district in Waco, Texas, agreed to sell the old Waco High building to a private developer.

December 18, 2006 - Waco Tribune-Herald

What The Future Holds For Shanghai

Shanghai, already the largest city in China, anticipates a population of 25 million by 2020. A week long series on National Public Radio covers the amazing stories surrounding the city's growth and development.

December 18, 2006 - NPR

Bloomberg's New Plan For New York

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has unveiled a broad plan to re-envision the city. He has recognized three major challenges: a population increase of 1 million residents within 25 years, a crumbling infrastructure, and a need to go green.

December 18, 2006 - The Economist

Urbanizing India And China Look To Build Green

With populations steadily increasing in India and China, the two countries are looking to green building methods to reduce their energy use as they urbanize and move more closely to Western energy consumption patterns.

December 17, 2006 - E, The Environmental Magazine

Leasing Retail Space In Transit-Oriented Developments

Fruitvale Village in Oakland, California, provides a valuable case study for designing and leasing retail space in transit-oriented development projects.

December 17, 2006 - New Urban News

Will Smart Growth Work In Los Angeles?

Giant mixed-use projects are coming, but are Angelenos ready to change their driving lifestyle?

December 15, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Of Skybridges And Sidewalks

A battle is brewing in Salt Lake City over a proposed skybridge over Main street that would link two shopping centers near Temple Square.

December 15, 2006 - Christian Madera

The Debate Over City Planning In Toronto

With the city's planning and zoning rules outdated and elected officials often catering to the interests of developers or NIMBYs, many decry Toronto's "let's-make-a-deal" planning.

December 14, 2006 - The Toronto Star

New York Is Getting Too Big

The city's strained infrastructure can't handle the forecasted growth, say experts. To remain globally competitive, the city is faced with the challenge of major upgrades.

December 14, 2006 - CNN.com

Boutique Cities Aren't The Problem

Responding to Joel Kotkin's critique of cities who woo "creative class" over the middle class, Jerold Kayden, director of urban planning at Harvard Graduate School of Design, argues that revitalizing cities isn't as simple as copying sunbelt cities.

December 14, 2006 - Christian Madera

New York City Plans For More Growth, Success

With a new study projecting major future growth, New York City Mayor Bloomberg is set to unveil a major planning initiative with an emphasis on sustainability.

December 13, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Orlampa: The Merging Of Two Cities

A new world is emerging midway between Orlando and Tampa along Interstate 4. Some say as soon as 10 years, others, in 20 years, strawberry fields and pastures will be paved over and Tampa to Orlando will be one big metropolitan area.

December 13, 2006 - Sun-Sentinel

Do You Need A Parking Space With That?

While most cities are extremely reluctant to permit housing without parking, a few are taking steps to reduce or eliminate the typical requirements and allow developers to provide less parking and unbundle spaces from units.

December 12, 2006 - The New York Times

Rating A City's Neighborhoods

The Kansas City Star newspaper created an extensive methodology to do a report card on city neighborhood trends and then rank the best neighborhoods within Kansas City, Missouri.

December 12, 2006 - The Kansas City Star

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.