Urban Development

A rendering of the Utah City master planned, mixed-use development.

700-Acre Master-Planned Community Planned in Utah

A massive development plan is taking shape for lakefront property in Vineyard, Utah—on the site of a former U.S. Steel Geneva Works facility.

August 31, 2023 - Daily Herald

A line of cars wait at the drive-thru window of a starbucks.

More Cities Ponder the End of Drive-Thrus

Drive-thru fast food restaurants might be a staple of American life, but several U.S. cities are actively considering prohibiting the development of new drive-thrus for the benefit of traffic safety, air quality, and congestion.

August 31, 2023 - The Denver Post

View of street in Pasadena, California with church at left and city hall in background

Quantifying the Potential of California’s ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ Bill

A new report estimates that 171,000 acres of land would be available for housing development if California approves SB 4, Affordable Housing on Faith and Higher Education Lands Act of 2023.

August 31, 2023 - Terner Center for Housing Innovation

Edmonton, Canada

Edmonton Considering Sprawl Control Measures

Under a proposed standard, developing neighborhoods in Edmonton would be required to fully build out infrastructure and community facilities, like retail and amenities, before the city approves additional development.

August 31, 2023 - CBC News

Greece

New Park Space for an Old City

After 3,400 years, Athens will soon get its first large urban park. When completed in 2030, Ellinikon Metropolitan Park will be 600 acres (243 ha), about three-fourths the size of New York City’s Central Park, an enormous addition of green space.

August 31, 2023 - ULI Urban Land Magazine

One of Pittsburgh’s bridges is visible through cherry blossoms, with downtown high-rises in the background.

Pittsburgh Launches New Comprehensive Plan Process

Pittsburgh is starting from scratch on a new comprehensive plan, after stalling on the ForgingPGH plan in 2021.

August 31, 2023 - Pittsburgh Union Progress

An aerial view of the South Side of Chicago, with Lake Michigan to the left in the distance.

Historic Victory for Environmental Justice on Chicago’s South Side

The city of Chicago has agreed to take significant steps to remediate decades of discriminatory zoning and land use policies.

August 31, 2023 - The National Resources Defense Council

A picture of a corner store at night.

Exploring Urban Resurgence

In a wide ranging personal journey of interest to planners and interpreters of the built and natural landscapes, Chuck Wolfe weaves the interplay of the forces behind the everyday, providing fodder for problem solving in our cities and towns.

August 30, 2023 - Medium

Colorful "atx" sign in front of Whole Foods store in Austin, Texas

Austin’s ‘Affordability Unlocked’ Initiative Faces Lawsuit

A group of 18 plaintiffs is suing to overturn the city of Austin’s “Affordability Unlocked” planning initiative.

August 30, 2023 - Austin Monitor

Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville Comprehensive Plan Update Attracts Opponents

An updated version of the Charlottesville comprehensive plan update is now available for public comment, and a recent article in the local paper lets plan opponents air their grievances.

August 30, 2023 - The Daily Progress

A map of zoning codes in the Michigan city of Traverse City.

ADUs, Minimum Lot Sizes, and Quadplexes Under Discussion in Traverse City

Zoning changes for everything from housing density to minimum lot sizes are under consideration for a city on the shores of Lake Michigan.

August 29, 2023 - The Ticker

Apartment building under construction with other new apartment buildings and taller glass office towers in background in Dallas, Texas

New Research Builds Evidence for Zoning Reform

Cityscape has published a collection of new research building support for zoning reforms as a tool for mitigating the effects of the housing affordability crisis.

August 29, 2023 - Forbes

Pedestrians and people on bikes on Atlanta BeltLine multiuse trail

Atlanta Advances Automobile Alternatives; Parking Minimums Persist

The Atlanta City Council passed a pair of ordinances recently to improve conditions for modes other than cars, but a proposal to remove parking requirements for development around the Atlanta Beltline are in limbo.

August 29, 2023 - ThreadAtl

A parking lots and homes sit on a bluff above a large beach on Pacific coast in Southern California.

Meeting Housing Goals by Loosening Commercial Zoning

Torrance, a city on the coast of Southern California in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, recently adopted a zoning overlay that will relax commercial zones to allow more residential development.

August 28, 2023 - The Real Deal

Old wooden bridge with steel railings at the War Eagle River in Rogers, Arkansas.

200-Acre Traditional Neighborhood Development Coming to Northwest Arkansas

A local group recently completed the purchase of 200 acres near Rogers, in Benton County, Arkansas, that will become a master-planned, mixed-use neighborhood called Warren Park.

August 28, 2023 - TB&P

The tops of umbrellas for outdoor dining spaces are visible with large buildings in the background on a sunny day in the city of San Diego.

California Regulators Require Parking Replacement for Outdoor Dining Spaces

The city of San Diego’s Spaces as Places outdoor dining program includes a critical parking requirement mandated by the California Coastal Commission.

August 28, 2023 - La Jolla Light

A statue of Thurgood Marshall in the lawyers mall in front of Maryland General Assembly and the Supreme Court.

State Supreme Court Clears Way for Defunct Airport Redevelopment in Maryland

The legal controversies over a zoning amendment approved in 2019 went all the way to the top court in the state of Maryland, but by the time the court ruled, the Bowie City Council had already repealed the amendment in question.

August 28, 2023 - The Daily Record

A drawing of a planned bus facility in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.

New Transit Center and Bus Hub Planned for Providence

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority officials recently approved a design-build contract for a bus hub to Downtown Providence, Rhode Island.

August 28, 2023 - WPRI

An aerial view of Milwaukee’s Third Ward.

Plan to Potentially Remove Downtown Milwaukee’s Interstate Faces Public Scrutiny

The public is weighing in on a suite of options for repairing, replacing, or removing Interstate 794 in downtown Milwaukee.

August 27, 2023 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Photo of downtown San Francisco alley superimposed with text bubbles

New Plan Aims to Revive Downtown San Francisco

The proposal focuses on placemaking and street activation as tools for economic development.

August 24, 2023 - Fast Company

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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.