Land Use
![View of docks on lake surrounded by green trees and lawns with one white house at right](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/The%20Waters.jpg.webp?itok=B3QnDJwL)
A Primer on Suburban Urbanism
How one master-planned development used lower-density urbanism principles to build a community focused on affordability, sustainability, and conservation.
![The view down Main Street in Akron, Ohio](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Main-Street-Akron-PA.jpeg.webp?itok=11gvImKs)
A Small Town Makes its First Zoning Update Since 1997
Mixed-use development and a floodplain overlay are the big-ticket items when the small community of Akron Borough in Pennsylvania recently updated its zoning code.
![Chicken Run](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_552339889.jpg.webp?itok=Kt6gUXqF)
Residential Zoning Changes Make Room for Chickens
Yes in my backyard—for chickens.
![Aerial view of suburban Sterling, Virginia near Washington D.C.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_190680741.jpeg.webp?itok=43qWj1DF)
Retrofitting D.C.’s Suburbs for a New Era
How to equip suburban sprawl for a different future.
![Pedestrian walkway connecting the High Line and Moynihan Train Hall in New York City](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/HIgh%20Line%20Moynihan%20Connector.jpg.webp?itok=YfbKtkII)
High Line-Moynihan Connector Opens in New York City
Two footbridges now link the High Line park to the most recent expansion of the Penn Station complex, the Moynihan Train Hall.
![Rendering of lifestyle center mixed-use complex](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/HED_Confidential_mixeduse%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=QonKCxy5)
The Evolution of Retail Centers
Catalytic developments initiate economic and cultural improvements.
![The Planning Commission podcast title card with headshots of three hosts and guest](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/PlanningCommissionPodcast-Mayor-Mendenhall.JPG.webp?itok=ZKr9dOa-)
Planning Through the Eyes of a Big City Mayor
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall joins the Planning Commission Podcast to talk about housing, street reconfiguration, and saving the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
![Dusk view of downtown Edmonton, Canada skyline with arched white bridge in foreground](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_241478900.jpeg.webp?itok=Sm8dlhF6)
Edmonton to Revise Zoning Code
Proposed changes could help spur more housing development in the Canadian city and encourage density increases in residential neighborhoods.
![Holy Cross Immaculata Church sits atop Mt Adams in Cincinnati, as seen from across the Ohio River in Kentucky.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Cincinnati-Ohio-River.jpg.webp?itok=MLGLBHT_)
Cincinnati First City in Ohio to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units
The Queen City achieved an historic day for planning in the state of Ohio.
![Tree stump in an urban sidewalk](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_463827666.jpeg.webp?itok=c0y4f-y6)
The Maintenance Gap in Tree Planting Programs
Tree planting is a highly visible way to show investment in a community, but without regular maintenance, street trees can become a nuisance rather than a benefit.
![Cars passing under 101 freeway overpass with SANTA CLARA in large letters on the overpass](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_284259366_Editorial_Use_Only.jpeg.webp?itok=uAfQgbpe)
Why Is Silicon Valley So Bleak?
The built environment in one of the most affluent places in the country leaves much to be desired. Why are Silicon Valley communities missing so many key urban features?
![Safe Places to Play mini-pitch at Luis Muñoz Marin School in Newark, New Jersey](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Luis-Munoz-Marin5.jpg.webp?itok=Fkv7RmJC)
Improving Communities Through Soccer
LEGO has partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to create a new safe place for kids to play soccer and gain life skills in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
![Gopuff fast-delivery convenience store in New York City](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_579621215_Editorial_Use_Only.jpeg.webp?itok=CIDJC2fr)
New York Could Legalize Rapid Delivery Hubs
Criticized as ‘dark stores,’ the warehouses for quick-delivery services have been popping up around the city.
![Close-up of white "No Thru Traffic" sign](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_385039926.jpeg.webp?itok=sjobFk21)
L.A. Approves ‘Park Block’ Program
Inspired by Barcelona’s superblocks, the program aims to limit car traffic in small areas to improve safety and create new park spaces.
![Empty open plan office with gray carpet and white walls](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_337010133.jpeg.webp?itok=4WXaU6BM)
Survey: Zoning Codes Holding Back Office Conversion
A survey of developers and architects found that many of them find it hard to meet demand for office conversion due to local regulations and zoning restrictions.
![Black and white photo of Pike Place Market entrance in Seattle with "PUBLIC MARKET" and "Meet the producer" signs](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Pike%20Place.JPG.webp?itok=9vPU2XYh)
Revisiting ‘Third Places’ as a Pandemic Recovery Tool
In Chuck Wolfe's latest piece on downtown recovery for GeekWire, he proposes revisiting a multifaceted ‘third place’ agenda as a focus for downtown recovery.
![Google street view of empty parking lot in Los Angeles](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Screen%20Shot%202023-06-21%20at%202.41.20%20PM.png.webp?itok=bmCFw_g_)
Group Urges L.A. to Build Housing on Vacant Lots
A survey of city-owned vacant lots identifies properties that could be developed into affordable housing or shelter.
![Colorful mural depicting people holding signs with proclamations on exterior wall of public restroom in People's Park, Berkeley](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Peoples%20Park%20Berkeley.jpg.webp?itok=4T9YjEPK)
Lessons From People’s Park
The University of California, Berkeley faced bitter opposition to new student housing. What does this mean for universities—and for democracy?
![Aerial view of Tempe, Arizona with mountains in background](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_429656490.jpeg.webp?itok=D26Yn9X3)
Arizona ‘Car-Free’ Neighborhood Nears Opening
Culdesac Tempe bans personal cars in exchange for access to scooters, bike facilities, and free transit. Is that enough to reduce car ownership in auto-centric Arizona?
![Aerial view of graded dirt lot ready for construction and houses with mountains in background near Boise, Idaho](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_422872900.jpeg.webp?itok=N79-q5ZF)
Boise Approves First Zoning Code Update in 60 Years
A comprehensive update of the city’s zoning code aimed at making housing more affordable and promoting sustainable growth received unanimous support from the city council.
Pagination
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.