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Urban Planning

Urban, city, and town planning seek to inform land use, development, and transportation infrastructure to accommodate the needs of the community, often with the explicit goal of maximizing both economic vitality and overall quality of life. RAND helps to inform policymakers who plan long-term urban services and neighborhood design, from determining the public health implications of proximity to parklands or inner city waste abatement to the role of urban planning in nation-building efforts.

Journal Article

Land-Use Zoning Shown to Affect Crime Rates in Los Angeles

Using zoning laws to shape the type of development and activity that occur in a neighborhood may be one way to reduce crime in urban areas. Single-use commercially zoned blocks in Los Angeles have crime rates that are 45 percent higher than similar blocks that include residential uses.

Jan 1, 2013
Project

RAND Gulf States Policy Institute

Established in December 2005 to support hurricane recovery and long-term economic development, the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute is dedicated to developing informed public policy in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama and a better future for the people who live there.

Sep 6, 2012
Project

RAND Provides Insight into National Flood Insurance Reform Proposals

FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program writes the vast majority of flood insurance on residential properties in the United States; current legislation includes a number of reforms that could strengthen the program. RAND has completed studies in four key areas that offer insight into the issues under consideration.

May 18, 2012
Commentary

Narrowing the Economic Achievement Gap: The Role of Housing

The results from Montgomery County demonstrate that an integrative housing policy can be an effective form of school policy for disadvantaged children, writes Heather Schwartz.

Jan 11, 2012
Report

How Will Migration Impact UK Transport and Congestion?

The UK Migration Advisory Committee asked RAND Europe to examine how migration is likely to impact transport networks and congestion. The resulting research is one of the first studies using UK data to provide an empirical evidence base about migrants' travel behavior and impacts.

Jan 10, 2012
Journal Article

Potentials for Sustainable Transportation in Cities to Alleviate Climate Change Impacts

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) is an important social goal to mitigate climate change. A common mitigation paradigm is to consider strategy "wedges" that can be applied to different activities to achieve desired GHG reductions.

Jan 1, 2012
Report

The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State

An examination of options and cost estimates for strengthening the housing and transportation infrastructure of a potential future independent Palestinian state in the context of a large and rapidly growing Palestinian population.

May 19, 2011
Journal Article

Making Congestion Pricing Equitable

Identifies and assesses ways of making congestion pricing equitable.

Jan 1, 2011
Brochure

Three Proposed Initiatives for Improving Mobility, Quality of Life, and Economic Growth in the West Bank: A Visual Summary

Describes three demonstration projects based on the Arc, RAND's proposal for a sweeping infrastructure corridor linking urban centers, within and between the West Bank and Gaza.

Aug 25, 2010
Journal Article

Los Angeles Fast-Food Restaurant Ban Unlikely to Have Impact on Obesity

Restrictions on fast-food chain restaurants in South Los Angeles are not addressing the main differences between neighborhood food environments and are unlikely to improve the diet of residents or reduce obesity.

Oct 6, 2009
News Release

Equity Concerns Raised by Transportation Congestion Pricing Can Be Addressed To Make Approach Viable

Policymakers need to address equity concerns early when implementing congestion pricing to improve traffic flow, as each situation is unique and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Jun 2, 2009
Journal Article

Freight Transportation Resilience: How System-Wide Perspective Can Help Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Departments of Transportation

A resilient transportation system is one that minimizes both the initial effect of the disruption and the time required to return the system to normal operations.

Jun 1, 2009
Report

Charging Drivers More at Peak Travel Times Can Be Sound Transportation Policy, But Equity Issues Must Be Addressed

Policymakers need to address equity concerns early when implementing congestion pricing to improve traffic flow, as each situation is unique. Because these policies impose a cost on something that previously was not priced, it can harm lower-income drivers who will be forced to pay additional costs or be "priced off" the roads.

May 21, 2009
Multimedia

The Arc: An Overview

This video overview presents key aspects of The Arc, an exploration of options for strengthening the physical infrastructure for a new Palestinian state.

Apr 16, 2009
News Release

Federal Program Has Improved Health Agencies' Preparedness for Large-Scale Bioterror or Disease Outbreaks

A federal program designed to help metropolitan public health agencies prepare to deliver essential medicines to the public after a large-scale bioterror attack or natural disease outbreak has succeeded in improving the level of readiness.

Mar 24, 2009
Journal Article

New Recreational Facilities for the Young and the Old in Los Angeles: Policy and Programming Implications

It is assumed that higher quality recreation facilities promote physical activity and serve communities better. The authors tested this assumption by comparing changes in the use of an expanded and renovated skate park (a facility for skateboarding) and a modernized senior citizen's center to two similar facilities that were not refurbished.

Jan 1, 2009
Journal Article

The Systems of the City

Planning for urban systems

Jan 1, 2009
News Release

Comprehensive Study on Traffic Congestion in Urban Los Angeles Suggests Ways to Improve Traffic

A comprehensive look at Los Angeles traffic debunks common myths about the metropolitan region's traffic patterns and details the reasons why congestion is so bad -- and why it will get worse in the coming years without significant policy changes.

Oct 2, 2008
Multimedia

The Arc: A Formal Structure For a Palestinian State

Building on analyses that RAND conducted between 2002 and 2004, this presentation explores the options for strengthening the physical infrastructure of a potential future independent Palestinian state.

Aug 26, 2008
News Release

Long, Unpredictable Delays Found in Louisiana ‘The Road Home’ Grants to Homeowners

Louisiana homeowners who sought federally-funded grants through “The Road Home” program for homes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have had to wait more than eight months on average to receive grants.

May 27, 2008

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RAND Topic:
Urban Planning

Topic Synonyms:
City Planning

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