Controversies
Community Planning Gives Voices to the Voiceless
People who can't vote can still have a say in the processes by which their neighborhoods are planned and developed. An example from New York City illustrates the point.
Zoning Changes Stay Controversial in Brooklyn Neighborhood
Despite a rare level of community participation in a neighborhood planning project in Bushwick, a recently proposed draft neighborhood plan was met with criticism in an initial public hearing earlier this week.
Voters Could End Approved Light Rail Projects in Phoenix
The future of light rail in Phoenix is in voters' hands.
Zoning Code Rewrite Paused in Newton, Massachusetts
The mayor of Newton says the city's planning department is stretched too thin, with several ordinances and large development proposals in the works.
Seattle Gives Final Approval to 27 Upzones
An historic moment for planning in Seattle: Density bonuses for affordable housing are now allowed all over the city as Seattle implements a big piece of its long-percolating Mandatory Housing Affordability plan.
Berkeley to Study Missing Middle Housing Options for Single-Family Residential Neighborhoods
The city of Berkeley, famed for its radical left politics in the 1960s, is now considered a bastion of anti-development obstructionism. Those politics could be changing, however.
Growth Plan Debate Heats Up in Toronto
The question of how and where to grow is causing controversy in Toronto. A recent op-ed picks a side.
Chicago's Largest-Ever Tax Increment Financing District Approved for Lincoln Yards Development
The new TIF is expected to generate $900 million. Opponents wanted to wait until a new mayor is elected to decide on the TIF.
Obama Presidential Center Dealt Legal Setback
There are more than a few reasons to think that the Obama Presidential Center won't go the way of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which gave up and decamped for Los Angeles.
Amazon Calls the Whole New York Thing Off
The AmazonHQ2 circus is packing up and moving to another city.
Report: Amazon Thinking Twice About Second Headquarters in New York
The opposition to the idea of Amazon locating one of its second headquarters locations in New York City has given the company pause, according to a recent scoop.
San Francisco's Massive 'Central SoMa Plan' Faces Litigation
The Central SoMa Plan took more than seven years of planning and debate to approve. A new lawsuit, expected to be just the first of many, threatens to erase all that work.
10-Story Apartment Project Tests the Limits of Minneapolis' New Comprehensive Plan
A proposed development in Minneapolis would add affordable units in exchange for extra height. A neighborhood group worries about the precedent the project would set.
Tree Ordinance Update Almost Done, Atlanta Residents Want Better Enforcement of Existing Rules
Atlanta has wanted to update its tree ordinance since 2014.
Bus Station Plan Moves Forward Despite Controversy in Roanoke
Angry public outcry wasn't enough to stop the Roanoke City Council from unanimously approving an ambitious transit station reconfiguration in downtown Roanoke.
'Housing Now' Initiative Takes Shape in Toronto
Housing advocates still expect controversies over the loss of parking to make room for thousands of affordable housing units.
Understanding the 'Dark Store Theory' Costing Local Governments Millions in Property Tax
The New York Times takes a deep dive into the "dark store theory" costing local municipalities millions, and potentially more, in property tax revenues all over the country.
Judge Sets Back NYC's Attempt to Grab Airbnb's Data
A 2018 law required Airbnb to share the names and addresses of hosts in the New York City. A judge ruled that the mandate violates the 4th Amendment.
Displacement Controversy Arrives in SeaTac
Controversy surrounds a development deal in the city of SeaTac, after the city made a $15.5 million development deal that could displace a local business community powered by immigrants from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Pennsylvania Borough's Rezoning Snags on Last-Minute Public Opposition
The borough of Homestead, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh, is in the middle of its first comprehensive planning process since 2001.
Placer County
City of Morganton
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Dongguan Binhaiwan Bay Area Management Committee
City of Waukesha, WI
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Indiana Borough
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.
