Urban Development

Best Ideas Of 2006 Features Innovations In Planning

Urban design, housing for homeless people, and planning for decreased population are highlighted in the New York Times Magazine's annual survey of innovative ideas.

December 12, 2006 - The New York Times

Beware The Skyscraper Curse

World's tallest skyscrapers tend to top out just as economic growth cycles end. With megatowers in Taipei, Shanghai, and Dubai are nearing completion, will the "skyscraper curse" kick in yet again?

December 12, 2006 - Bloomberg News

Does Sprawl Cause Obesity? Maybe Not

A new study released by a University of Toronto researcher suggests that sprawl is not necessarily the cause of the obesity widely reported to exist in sprawling areas, but rather obese people may simply be attracted to sprawl.

December 12, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

The American Mall: Now The Public Space Of Choice?

The new form of the shopping mall -- lifestyle centers -- are fulfilling the original destiny of the American mall by "re-creating the essence of urban life", writes Virginia Postrel in a Los Angeles Times opinion.

December 11, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

The New Urbanism, Minus The Urban?

A growing number of exclusive gated communities in remote areas, dubbed "The New Ruralism", is raising eyebrows among planners, environmentalists, and local residents.

December 11, 2006 - Utne Reader

New Orleans Planning Update: The Unified New Orleans Plan

Disaster recovery expert Robert B. Olshansky reports on the latest planning effort in New Orleans.

December 11, 2006 - Robert B. Olshansky

News Summary and Analysis - November 2006

As part of a monthly series, we present a summary and analysis of some of the most interesting news to appear on Planetizen over the month of November 2006. This is the transcript of an audio segment that originally aired on the nationally syndicated radio program "Smart City".

December 11, 2006 - Nate Berg

The NFL Versus Mixed-Use Development

A developer with big plans for a mixed-use complex has offered the City of Anaheim, California, $150 million dollars for land that the NFL has been scouting for a new franchise stadium.

December 11, 2006 - KTLA5

Promoting Brownfield Development

While the redevelopment of contaminated sites has come a long way, challenges remain for cities and developers working on brownfields.

December 11, 2006 - Public Management Magazine

Automated Parking Structures Springing Up In New York

As the technology behind these high-tech garages matures, the redevelopment potential of surface parking lots could grow.

December 9, 2006 - The New York Times

How To Work With NIMBYs

One developer offers advice for his colleagues confronted with local communities opposed to any new development.

December 8, 2006 - San Diego Daily Transcript

Studio Plans Urban Village On Backlot

NBC Universal announced plans to build almost 3,000 homes, along with new offices and production facilities, on its prime land holdings in Los Angeles, which are also adjacent to a subway station.

December 8, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Is One L.A. Developer A Modern Day Mr. Scrooge?

Geoff Palmer, a successful developer who has constructed hundreds of new apartments in downtown Los Angeles, has consistently fought the city's attempts to force him to include affordable units in his developments.

December 8, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Do-It-Yourself Urban Planning

A new urban design center in St. Paul, Minnesota, allows residents to try their hand at city planning in hopes of educating the public about managing growth and development.

December 8, 2006 - St. Paul Pioneer Press

TODs Go Mainstream?

With the Wall Street Journal weighing in on transit-oriented development, has the movement that ties intensive, mixed land uses to transportation activity nodes finally reached the mainstream?

December 7, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Pedestrians Lost In The New Suburbia

A resident of a touted New Urbanist development in San Diego, California, comments on its failure as a walkable community.

December 7, 2006 - Diana DeRubertis

Coming Home To Your Old Workplace

Some of the former employees who used to work in government offices in a Brooklyn landmark are now coming home to one of the condominiums in the newly converted building.

December 7, 2006 - Christian Madera

An Urban Loft In The Suburbs

Want a house with urban feel without the urban strife? Developers are building new loft projects outside of big-city downtowns that cater to people who want loft living but prefer a more suburban life.

December 6, 2006 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Combating The Redevelopment Agency

A neighborhood group in Boston is trying to bring attention to the "poor planning" of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, in hopes to bring greater accountability to the agency.

December 5, 2006 - The Boston Globe

Nation's Largest Housing Complex Up For Sale

Perhaps following the lead of the recent Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper housing project sale in Manhattan, the Starret City housing complex in Brooklyn's Jamaica Bay neighborhood is up for sale and may command a $ 1 billion dollar price tag.

December 5, 2006 - The New York Times

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.