Urban Development
![Large empty office building floor with white walls and grey carpeting](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_337010068.jpeg.webp?itok=-nCiFw18)
The Death of the Office?
Despite efforts on the part of many employers to bring workers back to the office, office buildings are now the most distressed segment of the commercial real estate market.
![The exterior of the Hawaii state capitol building.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Hawaii-State-Capitol.jpeg.webp?itok=jXuRIDgc)
Hawaii Governor Wipes Away Regulatory Barriers to Housing With the Stroke of a Pen
The governor of Hawaii is using emergency powers to remove barriers to housing construction.
![Sunset view of downtown Gainesville, Florida](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_682865521.jpg.webp?itok=yAKYPM6t)
Gainesville in Final Discussions on Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
A see-saw battle over land use and housing policy continues in the city of Gainesville.
![Ai generated image of greenway with transit line adjacent](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/CW4.png.webp?itok=Lb5Q2xW-)
AI and Downtown Recovery: Missing the Mark in Seattle?
In his fourth GeekWire article on downtown recovery, Chuck Wolfe reviews the use of AI imagery in a section of the Seattle Downtown Activation Plan and suggests how it may have missed the mark.
![Maricopa County, Arizona](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Phoenix.jpg.webp?itok=P3KZMOu_)
Phoenix Could Ease Parking Requirements to Support Transit, Affordable Housing
In addition to lower citywide parking requirements on residential properties, a proposed law in Phoenix would lower minimum parking requirements even further for affordable housing developments near the city’s light rail system.
![A conceptual rendering of a bus stop and bus-only lane on a downtown street.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/colfax-brt.png.webp?itok=O2VxGP0F)
Land Use Changes Could Improve Walkability Along Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in Denver
Denver councilmembers are proposing an overhaul of land use regulations along a long stretch of East Colfax Avenue—the route of a planned Bus Rapid Transit line expected to open in 2026.
![Rendering of Trinity Mills TOD project in Dallas, Texas with 5-story office building, park space, and residential multifamily units](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Trinity-Mills-Station-Development-Aerial-1_croppedv2.jpg.webp?itok=yBaSF7Tr)
Largest TOD in North Texas Breaks Ground Near Dallas
The mixed-use complex features over 400 housing units, offices, retail, and park space.
![Several office towers are under construction next to a freeway in Burlingame, California.](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Burlingame-CA.jpg.webp?itok=IwGh1XPL)
Union Shakeup Could Have Implications for California Housing Policy
One of the most powerful opponents to California’s YIMBY legislators, the Trades union of building and construction workers, is under new leadership. Some observers speculate that the change could indicate a new era of development politics.
![Vacant lot with overgrown concrete foundation](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_273302892.jpeg.webp?itok=V4C--f1C)
The Double-Edged Sword of ‘Healthfields’
Building hospitals and other health-oriented facilities on former brownfield sites can benefit the community, but can also perpetuate historic inequities and exploit undervalued land at the expense of local residents.
![Silicon Valley](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_140798290.jpg.webp?itok=6xoLcvV5)
New Plans for Palo Alto: Updated Zoning and 6,000 Housing Units
The city of Palo Alto, a city central to the geographic and economic might of Silicon Valley, is planning a significant overhaul to its plans for the future, making space for over 6,000 new housing units in the next eight years.
![Zoning map of New Hampshire](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Screen%20Shot%202023-07-17%20at%2010.00.53%20AM.png.webp?itok=WjpmFE1A)
National Zoning Atlas Makes Headway
The project aims to bring zoning data from around the country into one database, making it easier for planners and researchers to compare policies and their impacts.
‘Divided by Design’ Underscores Inequities in Transportation Policy
The report calls for a wholesale overhaul of U.S. transportation policy to redress the damages caused by decades of auto-centric development.
![Aerial view of midtown Missoula, Montana with mountains in background](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Screenshot%202023-07-12%20at%2014-42-44%20Home%20Missoula%20Midtown%20Mas.png.webp?itok=3qgdLVrJ)
Midtown Master Plan Envisions More Walkable Missoula
The plan envisions safer, more walkable streets, more affordable housing, and improved opportunities for small businesses.
![Aerial view from behind Texas State Capitol dome in Austin, Texas](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_186474352.jpeg.webp?itok=qWHCLL5U)
Zoning Reform Proposed in Austin
Proposed changes would create more room for mid-density housing and shift away from single-family homes on large lots.
![Pedestrians walk down car-free Mont-Royal Avenue next to green outdoor dining kiosks in Montreal, Canada](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Screenshot%202023-07-12%20at%2011-40-25%20Avenue%20du%20Mont-Royal.png.webp?itok=X3IfV2jR)
Car-Free Montreal Street Hailed as Success
A summer pedestrianization project is widely popular with residents and local businesses.
![Aerial view of large houses in large yards surrounded by trees in Palo Alto, California](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_268057102.jpeg.webp?itok=PCg9Yd89)
New Research Blames Affluent Suburbs for Housing Crisis
Small, often wealthy enclaves build far less multifamily housing than their larger counterparts, exacerbating the dearth of affordable housing near big cities and job centers.
![Abandoned, decaying building behind locked chain link fence in Atlanta, Georgia](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_350207549.jpeg.webp?itok=Ly38fzUl)
Map Identifies DeKalb County Brownfield Sites
The GIS tool is designed to help developers find vacant and blighted lots that could be restored for new housing or other uses.
![Pedewstrianized street paved with red bricks flanked by historic four-story buildings in Dublin, Ireland](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/AdobeStock_27318936.jpeg.webp?itok=V8g92U4e)
How Walkable ‘Activity Centers’ Can Reduce Driving
Encouraging mixed-use neighborhoods that help reduce vehicle miles driven and put urban amenities within easy walking distance is possible with surprisingly modest policy tweaks.
![Corner Store](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/shutterstock_158990396.jpg.webp?itok=SR8GO_2q)
‘City of Yes’ Zoning Changes Take Shape in New York
The signature zoning and planning effort of the Adams administration took a step forward recently, with changes meant to clear red tape for businesses in New York City.
![Jane Jacobs](/files/styles/small_400/public/images/Jane_Jacobs.jpg.webp?itok=lV_rv2V5)
The 100 Most Influential Urbanists, Past and Present
Planetizen readers have decided the who's who of urbanism (and its discontents) in 2023.
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.