New York

The Javits Center is Dead, Long Live the Javits Center

The good news is that the $390 million renovation of the Javits Center on the west side of Manhattan is coming along well and on target to be completed in 2014. The bad news is it that it will likely be torn down shortly thereafter.

January 23, 2012 - The New York Times

Friday Funny: Pantsless in New York

The Daily News does its best to, ahem, "cover" this year's version of the annual New York City "No Pants Subway Ride." Beware, potentially NSFW.

January 20, 2012 - New York Daily News

Ever Wonder Why There Are No Skyscrapers in the Middle of Manhattan?

If you never knew, or thought you knew, the reason why there are no skyscrapers in the middle of the Big Apple, Matt Chaban reports on the true cause, debunking a popular myth.

January 20, 2012 - The New York Observer

An Ever Evolving Zoning Code

However one's feelings on zoning, New York City's Resolution has changed over the years to positively reinforce good social initiatives over the outright banishment of negative uses, Julie V. Iovine reports.

January 20, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

How Has Rochester Avoided Decay?

It used to be that Rochester's fortunes were tied to its hometown company, Eastman Kodak. Peter Applebome looks at how the city has managed to avoid the long slide of its famous inhabitant.

January 18, 2012 - The New York Times

Converting Excess to Energy in NYC?

Jarrett Murphy writes of a single but significant line in Mayor Bloomberg's recent State of the City address which offers a potential solution to the city’s intertwined fiscal, garbage and energy problems.

January 18, 2012 - Next American City

Returning Big Ideas to Planning in New York

Urban Omnibus declares the visionary work of the Speculation Studio at Columbia University an overdue evolution in architectural education.

January 16, 2012 - Urban Omnibus

Upzoning Midtown

Catering to potential office tenants who would want more modern spaces, New York City officials are toying with rezoning a swath of midtown Manhattan, allowing for even more density and the replacement of aging office buildings.

January 15, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

To Frack or Not to Frack

A key ruling on whether and/or how to allow the High Volume Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing (or fracking) method of extracting natural gas is imminent in New York State. The decision could set a nationwide precedent.

January 13, 2012 - THE DIRT

What Types of Stores are Bound for Your Neigborhood?

Much of the existing literature on Gentrification looks at what happens to residents as places change. Two authors are focusing their attention on commercial uses to better understand the interrelationship between retail and changing neighborhoods.

January 11, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

NYC Diversifies With Tech Sector

"Look out, Silicon Valley"-- A decades-long effort to bring technology-based firms to New York City is beginning to see a payoff, according to this piece from The Economist.

January 11, 2012 - The Economist

A Call to Reject the NYU Expansion Plan

New York University's 20-year expansion plan could become a dangerous precedent for overbuilding by bypassing the city's open space zoning rules, argues Andrew Berman, executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.

January 8, 2012 - The Villager

Watch Your Behavior on the 'F' Train

Put you feet up on an an subway seat, and risk going to to jail. Bad behavior, sure. But criminal? In an effort to make the subway safer, NYPD is viewing even minor code violations seriously.

January 7, 2012 - The New York Times

For NY Governor, Javits Center is Out

The 80s-era convention center on the far west side of Manhattan would be turned into a mixed-use development and a Malaysian gambling company would instead redevelop the Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, Queens.

January 6, 2012 - Bloomberg

How NYC was Zoned...and Rezoned

Why rezone? John Farley summarizes the factors leading up to some of the city's biggest and more recent rezonings, as well as their impacts on on their surroundings.

January 5, 2012 - Thirteen.org

Manhattan Parking Reforms Loom

After a flawed parking study on Manhattan's core last fall, the NYC Department of City Planning have released a revised version that calls for an end to parking minimums, especially those linked to affordable housing.

January 4, 2012 - Streetsblog New York City

Reviewing the History of New York's Grid

The New York Times' architecture critic, Michael Kimmelman, reviews a new exhibition exploring the history of the city's grid and streets.

January 4, 2012 - The New York Times

Stranded Metro Riders Sue New York MTA for Better Emergency Response

Last winter, subway riders were stuck on a New York City train overnight. Now some have filed a lawsuit against the MTA for its poor handling of the situation, highlighting the need for emergency planning in public transit agencies.

January 1, 2012 - Transportation Nation

Curbed Planning Awards for New York City, 2011

Curbed offers its eclectic selection of the most deserving people, places and things in the real estate architecture, and neighborhood universes of New York City.

December 30, 2011 - Curbed

Branding Buildings in NYC

What's in a name? For some of New York City's buildings, a brand that reflects history, mood, and even geography. Joanne Kaufman takes us through the naming process for some of the city's newest buildings, and what they might mean to buyers.

December 27, 2011 - 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.