City Planning

30 articles

A lively mixed-use urban street with apartments, shops, restaurants, and people enjoying the evening atmosphere.
Neighborhoods

What Are The Benefits and Challenges of Mixed-Use Zoning?

Between 2010 and 2020, mixed-use development constituted nearly 50 percent of all new commercial and multi-family development delivered in Montgomery County, according to Montgomery Planning .

Derek Molina·September 11, 2026
Aerial view of Chattanooga's interconnected parks and green spaces, illustrating the lasting impact of John Nolen's 1911 city plan on the urban landscape.
Best in City

Chattanooga's Parks Plan Shapes Green Spaces for a Century

Over a century after its inception, the 1911 park plan by city planner John Nolen remains visibly etched into Chattanooga's current green spaces.

Hannah Pierce·August 23, 2026
A vibrant urban neighborhood in 2026, showcasing new development, revitalized architecture, and community spaces, symbolizing rising property values.
Real Estate

What Factors Influence Property Values in Urban Neighborhoods in 2026?

Building permit activity is significantly associated with reductions in crime across six large U.

Aaron Blake·August 21, 2026
A split image showing a dense urban core with skyscrapers next to a sprawling suburban neighborhood with single-family homes, representing zoning's effect on city growth.
Neighborhoods

What Is Zoning and Why Does It Limit Urban Growth?

Zoning restrictions have raised housing prices by an astonishing 73 percent above the actual cost of supply in some areas, according to the RBA .

Derek Molina·August 18, 2026
A visually striking image depicting the multifaceted changes in an urban neighborhood, showcasing the blend of old and new, and the diverse community within.
Neighborhoods

What Factors Influence Neighborhood Character and Evolution?

The number of US census tracts showing signs of gentrification surged sevenfold, from 246 in the 1970s to 1,807 by the 2010s, according to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) .

Aaron Blake·August 16, 2026
A diverse group of people walking and cycling through a green, accessible urban neighborhood with local shops and services nearby.
Neighborhoods

What Is the 15-Minute City Concept in Urban Planning?

Despite its promise of hyper-local convenience, empirical evidence consistently reveals significant intra-urban inequalities in how the 15-minute city concept actually performs across different neighb

Aaron Blake·August 14, 2026
A cityscape with skyscrapers and older buildings, overlaid with a complex blueprint, illustrating the impact of zoning laws on urban development and housing.
Real Estate

What Is The Impact of Local Zoning Laws on Urban Development?

To build a new apartment complex in many US cities, a developer might first need to submit six physical copies of plans drawn to a minimum size of 11x17 inches, only to discover the land isn't even zo

Aaron Blake·August 7, 2026
A city skyline illustrating the contrast between dense, diverse housing and sprawling low-density single-family neighborhoods, representing zoning law impacts.
Neighborhoods

What Are Zoning Laws and How Do They Affect Urban Development?

In U.S. cities, low-density residential zoning predominates, severely limiting housing opportunities for anyone who cannot afford a large home. This widespread preference for single-family housing, of

Derek Molina·July 18, 2026
A futuristic mixed-use urban community with residential towers, commercial spaces, green areas, and skybridges, bustling with people and drones.
Real Estate

2026 Urban Housing Development Trends Favor Mixed-Use Communities

On June 22, 2026, the U.

Aaron Blake·July 7, 2026
A diverse cityscape illustrating the effects of zoning laws on urban development, showing contrasting neighborhood styles and densities.
Neighborhoods

What Is Zoning and Why Does It Impact Urban Development?

In Sydney, Australia, an average house valued at $1.

Derek Molina·July 6, 2026
Diverse community members enjoying a lively local festival, showcasing vibrant stalls, live music, and a strong sense of togetherness and economic buzz.
Events

What Is Community Engagement and How Can Local Events Boost It?

A single local festival can directly stimulate tourism and business growth across an entire region, transforming community fun into a tangible economic boom.

Sophie Nguyen·June 25, 2026
Aerial view of a city showing a stark contrast between low-density residential areas and high-density apartment buildings, illustrating the impact of zoning laws.
Neighborhoods

What is the impact of local zoning laws on urban development?

In the United States, low-density residential zoning predominates, effectively limiting housing opportunities for millions who cannot afford large homes, according to PMC .

Derek Molina·June 7, 2026
A diverse community interacting within a modern mixed-use development, highlighting the blend of residential, commercial, and green spaces.
Neighborhoods

Mixed-use developments boost urban areas, but affordability remains a challenge

One community faces a critical void in essential services.

Aaron Blake·May 29, 2026
Aerial view of a city neighborhood, illustrating the impact of zoning laws on urban development and housing diversity.
Neighborhoods

What Is Zoning and How Does It Shape Neighborhood Development?

In San Francisco, zoning laws once dictated that only members of the immediate family one generation out could live together, with the sole exception of live-in servants.

Derek Molina·May 19, 2026
An entrepreneur examining a storefront on a city street, symbolizing the impact of zoning laws on small business opportunities.
Business Spotlights

What Are Small Business Zoning Laws and Why Do They Matter?

A seemingly perfect storefront can be an illegal dream for a small business owner if local zoning laws prohibit their specific type of operation.

Marco Alvarez·May 12, 2026
Aerial view of a city divided by zoning, showing contrast between dense, diverse neighborhoods and uniform single-family housing areas.
Real Estate

What is Zoning and How Does it Impact City Development?

Cities in California with over 96 percent single-family-only zoning are nearly 55 percent white, starkly contrasting with the state's overall 35 percent white population, according to the California Z

Aaron Blake·May 10, 2026
A diverse group of people enjoying a sunny day in a vibrant, green urban park with city buildings in the background.
Neighborhoods

What are urban green spaces and why do they matter for health?

Just 8% of countries worldwide control 80% of the planet's urban park area, totaling approximately 10,120.

Derek Molina·May 7, 2026
Construction begins on College Square Plaza redevelopment, with a mix of old and new architecture visible, and concerned citizens observing the project.
Neighborhoods

College Square Plaza's $7M Redevelopment Faces Gentrification Hurdles

A $7 million urban redevelopment project in Athens is being funded not by general taxes, but by a portion of the city's parking revenue.

Derek Molina·May 6, 2026
A diverse group of people tending to a lush community garden in a bustling city, showcasing urban farming and community engagement.
Neighborhoods

What are the benefits of community gardens in urban spaces?

In Quezon City, Philippines, over 4,000 urban farmers have been trained as the city transformed unused land into more than 300 gardens and 10 farms, according to Grist .

Aaron Blake·May 6, 2026
A diverse group of people observing a cityscape, symbolizing the broad impact of zoning laws on urban development and housing.
Neighborhoods

What Are Zoning Laws and How Do They Affect Urban Development?

In 44 U.S. states, rising land-use regulation directly correlates with an increase in real average home prices, a stark economic reality that highlights how local zoning laws affect urban development

Aaron Blake·May 2, 2026
A visual representation of how zoning ordinances create disparities in housing density and neighborhood development, leading to segregation.
Neighborhoods

What Are Local Zoning Ordinances and How Do They Shape Neighborhoods?

In many American cities, the very rules designed to organize neighborhoods are quietly driving up housing prices and intensifying residential segregation.

Derek Molina·April 30, 2026
A detailed historical marker in a town square, surrounded by interested community members, symbolizing local history and preservation efforts.
Local Guides

What Are Historical Markers and How Do You Designate Them Locally?

Despite a national registry of roughly 2,500 National Historic Landmarks, the digital data mapping these crucial sites still contains "minor errors" and "requires some level of correction.

Derek Molina·April 28, 2026
A vibrant city intersection with safe pedestrian and cyclist pathways, alongside a community center, representing the positive impact of urban planning on public health.
Neighborhoods

What is the role of local councils in urban planning and health outcomes?

More than 20 people were struck and killed daily while walking in 2022, a 40-year high for pedestrian fatalities, according to Purposebuiltcommunities .

Derek Molina·April 26, 2026
Frustrated Geneva residents voice their concerns at a town hall meeting, highlighting a failure in city planning and resident engagement.
Community

City planning failure: Resident voices ignored, despite transparency efforts.

A proposal to reinstate annual winter parking restrictions in Geneva, New York, with overnight bans from 2 a.

Derek Molina·April 23, 2026
Diverse citizens protest outside city hall with signs advocating for transparency and community input in city planning.
Community

Citizen Advocacy Shapes City Planning in 2026

After public and city council concerns mounted, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson ended the city's contract with surveillance company Flock Safety, demonstrating the direct power of citizen advocacy in

Derek Molina·April 20, 2026
Diverse citizens collaboratively discussing urban development plans around a holographic city map in a modern community center, symbolizing local planning and zoning board work.
Real Estate

What Are Local Planning Commissions and Zoning Boards? An In-Depth Guide

Local planning commissions and zoning boards are volunteer bodies that significantly shape urban development, influencing everything from property values to community character. Understanding their distinct roles is crucial for any citizen wanting to participate in their community's evolution.

Aaron Blake·April 10, 2026
An aerial view of a diverse city skyline at dusk, illustrating the varied architectural landscape shaped by local zoning laws and urban planning.
Real Estate

A Guide to Understanding Local Zoning Laws and Their Impact on Property Development

Local zoning laws are the invisible rules shaping our communities, dictating everything from building heights to business locations. This guide explains their impact on property development, values, and quality of life for residents and developers alike.

Aaron Blake·April 10, 2026
A picturesque street scene featuring various historical architectural styles like Victorian, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival homes, bathed in warm sunlight, with people enjoying a walk.
Neighborhoods

A Guide to Understanding Historical Architectural Styles in Local Neighborhoods

Have you ever walked through a neighborhood and wondered why the houses look the way they do? This guide introduces you to identifying the architectural styles that define our communities, connecting you to the city's past.

Aaron Blake·April 8, 2026
An inviting streetscape in Fairfield, Texas, showcasing newly renovated business facades along North Texas Street, with people enjoying the vibrant, pedestrian-friendly environment, symbolizing urban revitalization and economic growth.
Business Spotlights

Fairfield Pursues Grant Funding for North Texas Street Revitalization

Fairfield is launching a new revitalization program for North Texas Street, offering significant grant funding to local business owners for property improvements.

Marco Alvarez·April 6, 2026
Aerial view of a vibrant city with diverse architecture, subtly overlaid with a transparent zoning map showing different land use districts and regulations.
Neighborhoods

How to Understand Local Zoning Laws: A Complete Guide

Local zoning laws are the invisible framework shaping our cities, dictating everything from building height to home-based businesses. This guide explains what they are, outlines the process, and highlights common mistakes to avoid.

Aaron Blake·April 3, 2026