key urban planning terms/concepts

Garden City Models

Urban planning concept by Ebenezer Howard promoting self-contained communities surrounded by greenbelts with open layouts.

Transfer of Development Rights

Allows transfer of rights to develop one parcel of land to another—direct growth away from protected areas to places with more development

Smart Growth

anti-sprawl development plan—encourages a mix of building types and uses, diverse housing and transportation options, development within existing neighborhoods, and community engagement.

Edge Cities

Concentrations of businesses and entertainment outside traditional downtown areas.

Romanticism in Planning

Emphasis on aesthetics and nature in urban design and planning.

Progressivism in Planning

Movement advocating for social reform and improvement of living conditions through planning.

Sanitary Reform

Efforts to improve public health through better sanitation practices and infrastructure.

Housing Reform

Initiatives aimed at improving housing conditions and affordability for all.

The Parks Movement

Advocacy for public parks and green spaces in urban areas for recreation and health.

Olmstead

Frederick Law Olmstead, influential landscape architect known for designing Central Park in New York City, “naturalistic/organic” for of design

Environmental Determinism

Theory suggests that the environment shapes psycho-sociological human behavior

Settlement House Movement

Jane Addams, movement providing social services and education to urban immigrants in settlement houses.

Garden City Movement

Urban planning movement promoting self-contained communities with green spaces and amenities.

The New Deal

Series of programs and reforms by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address the Great Depression.

Federal Housing Administration (1934)

Agency established to improve housing standards and provide mortgage insurance.

Public Housing Program

Government initiative to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals and families.

Urban Renewal Program (1949-73)

Efforts to revitalize urban areas through redevelopment and infrastructure improvements.

Interstate Highway System

Network of highways connecting major cities across the United States.

Urban Sprawl

Uncontrolled expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural lands.

Standard Zoning Enabling Act (1924)

Legislation providing a framework for zoning and land use regulations at the state level.

Dillon’s Rule

Legal principle limiting the authority of local governments to powers granted by the state.

Home Rule

Authority granted to local governments to govern themselves within the limits of state law.

Police Powers

Government authority to regulate behavior and enforce laws for public health, safety, and welfare.

Eminent Domain

Government's power to take private property for public use with fair compensation.

4th Amendment

Constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures—property can’t be taken for trivial purposes

5th Amendment

Constitutional protection of due process and private property rights—compensation reward is necessary

14th Amendment

Constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law—judicial procedure for takings

1st Amendment

Constitutional protection of freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.

Takings

Government acquisition of private property for public use or regulation.

Regulatory Taking

Gov’t regulation restricting use of property and its value without compensation

Possessory Taking

Gov’t seizure of private property for public use.

Zoning

Division of land into zones with specific land use regulations.

Inclusionary Zoning

Zoning policy requiring a percentage of affordable housing in new developments.

Goals of Comprehensive Planning

Health, safety, welfare, economic growth, fiscal health.

Stages of Comprehensive Planning

Research, goal setting, plan development, implementation, review.

Land Use Controls

subdivision regulations, zoning, site plan/architectural review, historical preservation

Public Capital Investments (PCI)

Government investments in infrastructure and public facilities.

Subdivision Regulations

Rules governing the division of land into smaller parcels for development.

Housing Act of 1949 (Urban Renewal)

Legislation promoting urban renewal and slum clearance for economic revitalization.

Housing and Community Development Act of 1974

Replaced Urban Renewal—supporting affordable housing and community development programs.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs)

Federal grants supporting community development projects.

Community Development (CD)

Initiatives promoting economic and social development in communities.

Urban Development Action Grants (UDAGs)

Reorients social issues to economic growth

Enterprise Zones

Designated areas with tax incentives to stimulate economic development.

Fair Housing Act of 1968

Legislation prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin.

Supply Side Subsidies

Increase the supply of affordable housing—grants, public housing

Demand Side Subsidies

Assistance to help individuals afford housing—vouchers, down payments, low-interest loans

Gentrification

Transformation of a poor-quality/working-class area into middle-class residential or commercial use.

‘The Local Trap’

Concept highlighting the challenges of local decision-making in a globalized world.

Food Desert

Area with limited access to affordable and nutritious food.

New Urbanism

Urban design movement promoting walkable neighborhoods and mixed land uses.

Food Swamp

Area with an overabundance of unhealthy food options.

Health Impact Assessments (HIAs)

Evaluation of potential health effects of policies, projects, or plans.