Land Use

View of large empty parking garage

The Softer Side Of Shoupism

Journalist Harry Grabar takes Prof. Don Shoup's economic theories about parking (and over-parking) and illustrates them with compelling—and terrifying—stories about the role parking plays in America's cities.

May 22, 2023 - California Planning & Development Report

A sign on the side of a street light reads “Woodley Park Historic District D.C.”

Zoning Changes Could Allow More Restaurants and Bars in D.C. Neighborhoods

Zoning can limit more than just multi-family housing.

May 21, 2023 - WAMU

Large beachside homes in New London, Connecticut

Connecticut Zoning Bills in Peril Near End of Legislative Session

Two bills that would change zoning rules to encourage more housing production and denser zoning are still in limbo as the legislature prepares to go on recess.

May 19, 2023 - The CT Mirror

Outdoor dining patios on street closed to car traffic in New York City

NYC Announces $30M for Open Streets Projects

The funding is designed to support open streets and public space projects in underresourced neighborhoods.

May 19, 2023 - StreetsBlog NYC

Otay Mesa Port of Entry building at U.S.-Mexico border

San Diego Region Plans for Rail Expansion, New Border Crossing, More Bike Lanes

The budget proposed by the San Diego Association of Governments focuses on a new port of entry, expansion of the regional bikeway system, and mitigating coastal erosion.

May 18, 2023 - San Diego Union-Tribune

Late evening view of downtown Minneapolis skyline with stone bridge in foreground

Minneapolis to Begin Environmental Review in Response to 2040 Plan Lawsuit

After environmental groups sought to stop the city’s ambitious comprehensive plan, Minneapolis is looking for ways to resume its implementation.

May 18, 2023 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

View from street level looking up at high-rise apartment building with multi0floor garage at bottom in Austin, Texas against blue sky

Austin as a Model for Parking Reform

The Texas capital’s new parking law signals a shift in thinking about the relationship between land use, transportation, and housing affordability.

May 18, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

A picture of the Vermont State Capitol building with fall colors on display on trees in the background.

Vermont Next State in Line to End Single-Family Zoning, Ease Parking Requirements

Both houses in the Vermont Legislature have approved legislation to preempt local land use regulations by rescinding single-family zoning and easing parking requirements throughout the state.

May 18, 2023 - VTDigger

Lakefront homes in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan

Federal and State Dollars Could Be Used to Force Change in Exclusionary Towns

Strict zoning policies keep housing unaffordable. But there are strategies governments can implement to change exclusionary housing policies and promote the construction of more affordable housing.

May 17, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

View of homes nestled among green trees with Columbus, Ohio skyline in background

When a Land Bank Starts a Land Trust

An Ohio land bank adds to its developing power through a community land trust.

May 17, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

Ellis Island is shown across the water of the New York Harbor.

New York Suspends Land Use Reviews for Shelters

The Adams administration in New York City will relax the review process for homeless shelters to create new space for arriving asylum seekers.

May 17, 2023 - Gothamist

Dark shot of people dancing in front of bar with red and blue atmospheric lights

New York City's Dancing Prohibition Remains a Barrier to Entry, Equality

New York’s 1960s-era zoning code still prohibits dancing in small bars and restaurants in more than 80 percent of the city, but Mayor Eric Adams and advocates want to change that.

May 16, 2023 - Mark H. McNulty

Zoning Code Rendering

Where Permissive Zoning Codes Slowed Rent Growth

Recent analysis from the Pew Research Center identifies more support for zoning reform as a tool for maintaining the affordability of rental housing in U.S. cities.

May 15, 2023 - Pew Research Center

Single-Family Neighborhood

Toronto Approves Multiplex Housing Citywide

The city hopes streamlining the construction of multifamily housing will slow the growth of housing costs and prevent the displacement of residents as the city grows.

May 15, 2023 - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

View of New York City apartment buildings.

Continuing the Fight for Housing in New York State

After the governor’s ambitious housing proposal failed to make headway in the state legislature, one lawyer argues Hochul should use executive power to move the needle forward on housing production.

May 14, 2023 - Gothamist

Aerial view of Pennsylvania Avenue facing U.S. Capitol building

Is it Time to Revise D.C.’s Height Act?

The century-old rule has shaped the District’s iconic horizontal skyline, but some Council members say it need revision in light of the region’s growing housing crisis.

May 12, 2023 - WTOP

Large empty open-plan office with rows of white desks and black chairs under bright fluorescent lighting

How to Make Office Conversions Easier

To encourage more housing production, lawmakers could help make the costly and time-consuming adaptive reuse process easier and more cost-effective.

May 11, 2023 - Next City

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

Mitigating the Environmental Footprint of Sprawl

There is still time to reverse the environmental outcomes of American suburbs. Researchers in Los Angeles, considered by many to be the poster child for U.S. sprawl, have been at work on the problem for years.

May 11, 2023 - Nature

Colorado State Capitol Building

Landmark Land Use Bill Fails in Colorado Legislature

Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s effort to allow for more housing construction by preempting local control of zoning failed to achieve the required level of political support in the state legislature.

May 11, 2023 - CPR News

View of oceanfront homes in Malibu, California against golden afternoon sky

Report: West Coast Must Come to Terms With Managed Retreat

As sea levels rise, experts say coastal communities have to overcome their resistance to managed retreat and plan for relocation.

May 10, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.