Urban Development

Eminent Domain: Still A Useful Tool Despite Its Recent Thrashing

While the public and the media like to bring attention to a few controversial cases, rarely does anyone recognize the all the good that has come from the sound use of eminent domain by local officials, says David M. Lewis.

September 5, 2006 - David M. Lewis

Using Concert Halls For Urban Revitalization

Cities across North America are opening new concert halls in hopes of sparking cultural and economic development and boosting civic pride.

September 3, 2006 - The New York Times

Seattle Hosts 'Sustainable Neighborhood' Expo

High Point in West Seattle, the country's largest urban sustainable, mixed-income community, will be host to the first ever green living expo.

September 2, 2006 - Yahoo! News

Building Lifestyle Centers Instead Of Malls

The Shops at Evergreen Walk creates a community gathering place, with fewer scary teenagers, among high-end retail shops.

September 2, 2006 - National Public Radio

Is Vancouver, Canada The New Model For Urban Planning?

Having recently shown off its vibrant and dense downtown at the 2006 World Urban Forum, planners from around the world are looking to Vancouver as a model for sustainable urban planning.

September 1, 2006 - New Matilda

A Modern House On The Cheap

A new book from the former editor of Dwell Magazine details the search for a stylish, modern urban home for around $100 a square foot.

September 1, 2006 - The New York Times

Inclusionary Housing In Queens, New York

130 blocks have been rezoned to include an inclusionary housing requirement in the New York City borough.

September 1, 2006 - City Limits Weekly

Zoning Wars: Taking On 'McMansionization'

The demolition of small homes and construction of mansions on the modest-sized lots is prompting a backlash in Southern California cities.

September 1, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

No Place To Do Dirty Work

Booming real estate values in Washington, DC are squeezing out the auto repair shops and salvage yards.

September 1, 2006 - The Washington Post

For Sale: 10 City Blocks In New York City

Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village, two World War II era middle-class housing developments on Manhattan's lower east side, are up for sale -- with an estimated value of $5 billion.

August 31, 2006 - The New York Times

Calgary Suffering From Its Excess Of Riches

The fallout from a local oil boom has Calgary scrambling to address shortages of labor, housing, office space, and just about everything else.

August 31, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Malls: Old vs New

A fight over a new development in suburban L.A. accentuates not only the tenacity and bitterness of local politics, but also two radically different visions for 21st century retail: large enclosed shopping malls or smaller New Urbanist templates.

August 31, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

All Eyes On Air District's Sprawl Fee Litigation

California's Central Valley, where farms are rapidly being converted to tract housing, has the worst air quality in the state. A new "sprawl fee" on developments based on vehicle trips they would generate has spawned a legal challenge from builders.

August 31, 2006 - The New York Times

The World's Best Cities

The editors of Travel + Leisure magazine released their annual list of best cities to visit.

August 30, 2006 - Travel + Leisure

The Parking Dynamics Of Israeli Cities

As is the case in most places, changes in real estate and land use in Israeli cities have quickly translated into changes in the demand, and price paid for, parking spaces.

August 30, 2006 - Haaretz.com

Growth Makes Town A City

The town of Columbia, Maryland, is on the verge of transforming into a full-blown city. Pushing a broad redevelopment plan, officials are trying to ease the transition while some residents resist.

August 30, 2006 - The Baltimore Sun

The Cul-de-Sac Backlash

Some communities are limiting or outright banning cul-de-sacs, but residents still value the privacy and security they provide.

August 29, 2006 - The New York Times

Houston's Growing Pains

Planners are using public participation to overcome past haphazard development and create a vision for the city's transit corridors.

August 29, 2006 - The Houston Chronicle

California? Dreaming!

The state has the distinction of being the least-affordable in the nation, according to a new report from the California Building Industry Association.

August 29, 2006 - Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

A Dose Of Reality In New Urbanism

While New Urbanism seems to have caught on in and around Atlanta, high home prices mean that the average homebuyer isn't benefiting.

August 29, 2006 - Pine Magazine

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.