Arizona

Close-up photo of Megan Kimble against blurry green background with title "A journalist's take on planning"

Through the Eyes of a Journalist: Megan Kimble Reflects on Covering Food Systems, Zoning Changes, and Highway Projects in the Southwest

Kimble’s interest in topics related to urban planning spawned from research and writing about food systems in the borderlands of Arizona. She then moved to Austin in the midst of the city’s update of its Land Development Code.

May 28, 2023 - The Planning Commission Podcast

Wind turbines sillhouetted against a sunset sky along roadway in New Mexico

New Power Transmission Line Approved in the Southwest

The proposed transmission line will transfer wind-produced power from New Mexico to cities in Arizona and California.

May 26, 2023 - U.S. News And World Report

"Bathtub ring" showing low water level on red rocks at Lake Powell, Arizona

States Reach Consensus on Colorado River Deal

The seven states along the Colorado River basin are in agreement over proposed water cuts over the next three years to preserve dangerously low reservoirs.

May 24, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

View of Colorado River winding through canyon in red rock cliffs against lightly cloudy blue sky

Lower Basin States Closer to Agreement on Colorado River

After a year of contentious negotiations, Western states dependent on the river’s water supply are nearing a deal that would reduce water use significantly over the next three years.

May 22, 2023 - The Washington Post

Aerial view of mobile home park next to freeway in Mesa, Arizona

Arizona Zoning Reform Bills Would Protect Mobile Home Residents

Three proposed bills would increase flexibility in zoning and encourage affordable housing production, particularly near light rail.

May 17, 2023 - Arizona Mirror

Blue and green Waymo logo on black square mounted on grey concrete background

Waymo Expansion Makes Phoenix ‘World’s Largest Self-Driving Car Zone’

The company’s autonomous taxis will soon be available in most parts of the metro area including Tempe, Mesa, and a new airport pick-up location.

May 8, 2023 - Arizona Republic

Self-driving white Waymo Jaguar SUV on street in Chandler, Arizona

How Self-Driving Cars Are Integrating—or Not—Into the Urban Fabric

As they become more common on some U.S. streets, autonomous vehicles are impeding emergency response operations and blocking traffic, idling in neighborhoods, and defying law enforcement.

May 2, 2023 - Arizona Republic

Valley Metro Rail

Phoenix Planning First Bus Rapid Transit Route

The city of Phoenix is gathering public feedback on a proposed bus rapid transit route, the city’s first, on 35th Avenue and Van Buren Street.

April 25, 2023 - Daily Independent

Tents belonging to unhoused people near freeway onramp in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix Ordered to Sweep City’s Biggest Unhoused Community

A county judge ruled the city must evict people living in an encampment after local businesses and residents sued.

April 6, 2023 - Arizona Republic

Drone view of colorful sunset over suburban neighborhood in Phoenix, Arizona

Arizona Housing Bill Fails in State Senate

The bill would have eliminated some parking requirements, legalized more types of affordable housing, and promoted increased housing production.

March 14, 2023 - 12News

Aerial view of irrigation canal winding through Scottsdale, Arizona suburb with mountains in background

The Water Crisis Comes Home to Roost in Arizona

Due in part to the state’s history of ‘wildcat’ real estate developments, some communities are losing access to water sources as cities and water agencies look for ways to conserve shrinking water supplies.

February 6, 2023 - High Country News

Aerial view of Central Arizona Project water canal through desert landscape

Arizona Governor Takes Steps to Modernize Water Policy

A newly released report warns of rapidly dwindling groundwater resources as developers plan to build hundreds of thousands of new homes.

January 26, 2023 - Inside Climate News

Sunset view over canal and downtown Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale Cuts Water Supply to Nearby Suburb

The city claims it has no responsibility to provide water to the unincorporated Maricopa County community.

January 18, 2023 - The Washington Post

Sprawling warehouses and agricultural landscapes mix with low-rise residential developments in the Arizona desert.

Arizona Tapping Groundwater to Fuel Suburban Growth

Critics say Arizona’s growth patterns are unsustainable and dangerous, given the depleted Colorado River and the state’s deepening reliance on groundwater.

December 28, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Aerial view of circular street pattern with buildings in Sun City, Arizona with desert mountains in background

Arizona’s Growth Threatens Water Supplies

New communities are popping up across Arizona’s desert, evading water consumption restrictions and straining the state’s groundwater supplies.

November 17, 2022 - KJZZ

Close-up of black electric car charging at station

Arizona Issues Plan for Statewide Electric Charging Network

The state secured over $70 million in federal funding to design and build out an electric vehicle charging network in a state with often vast distances between destinations.

November 2, 2022 - KTAR

Aerial view of Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff Housing Needs Outstrip Supply

Data from Flagstaff shows a growing need for affordable rental housing and homeownership options, which the city’s ten-year housing plan is working to address.

November 1, 2022 - KNAU NPR

Red one-story Tucson home with gravel front yard

Tucson Could Ban Ornamental Grass

The city could ban the planting of “nonfunctional” grass in new developments, but would stop short of regulating lawns and golf courses.

October 25, 2022 - Arizona Daily Star

Arizona

Evictions on the Rise in Phoenix

Landlords in the Arizona metropolis filed the most evictions since 2008 last month.

October 17, 2022 - Arizona Republic

Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin District with tents on sidewalk

Sacramento Voters to Decide on Using Lawsuits to Reclaim Sidewalks

Measure O may be one of the first ballot measures of its kind to empower residents to take legal action against a city for illegal encampments on city property. The Sacramento City Council voted 7-2 on August 9 to place the ordinance before voters.

September 29, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.