Best Practices
The Best Practices section of the Urban Planning Post is an open database showcasing exemplary planning projects from around the world. It is a growing collection of innovative, inclusive, and impactful solutions that address today’s urban challenges across diverse contexts.
Hazard Mitigation
The Chicago Region: Coordinating Flood Resilience in a Dense Urban Landscape
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Through regional collaboration and evolving flood mitigation strategies, the Chicago region addresses the complex challenges of urban flooding in one of the most densely populated and politically fragmented metropolitan areas in the U.S.
Hazard Mitigation, Urban Design
Evia Residential Development: Building Flood-Resilient Communities on Galveston Island
Galveston Island, Texas
Evia is a mixed-use community on Galveston Island that showcases how strategic planning, resilient design, and environmental sensitivity can reduce flood risks and improve livability in a hurricane-prone coastal area.
Hazard Mitigation
Rebuilding Resilience: Lyons, Colorado's Recovery After the 2013 Flood
Lyons, Colorado
Lyons, Colorado, devastated by a historic 2013 flood, undertook a long-term recovery plan prioritizing resilience, affordable housing, and sustainable land use through strategic planning and support from the American Planning Association.
Housing Planning, Community Development
Baan Mankong
Bangkok, Thailand
Baan Mankong empowers low-income canal-side communities with secure land tenure, participatory planning, and financial tools—transforming informal settlements through inclusive, flood-resilient urban development rooted in community leadership.
Environmental Planning
Parvat Manthan - Manifestation of Clean and Sustainable Hill States
Indian Himalayan Range
This initiative is a collaborative platform connecting Himalayan states and cities to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on water, sanitation, and climate resilience. It enables cross-learning, fosters equity, and supports inclusive, sustainable urban development in the Indian Himalayan Region and beyond.
Urban Design, Hazard Mitigation, Community Development
Correcting a Historic Planning Mistake
Utrecht, The Netherlands
Utrecht’s restored Catharijnesingel canal, once replaced by a highway, now blends history, ecology, and urban renewal—transforming the city center into a climate-adaptive, green, and pedestrian-friendly space that reflects a people-first vision.
Transportation Planning, Urban Design
Utrecht Bicycle Parking Garage (world's largest)
Utrecht, The Netherlands
Utrecht’s three-story bike garage, the world’s largest, holds over 12,500 bikes and connects directly to train platforms—supporting last-mile travel and proving that major investment in bike infrastructure drives sustainable transport use.
Urban Design
Superblocks (Superilla) Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona's Superblocks prioritize people over cars by reclaiming urban space for community, sustainability, and biodiversity. These 400×400 m zones reduce car use, promote walking, cycling, and public transit, and aim to transform 503 areas citywide.
Hazard Mitigation, Urban Design, Environmental Planning
Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan
Ahmedabad, India
Ahmedabad’s Heat Action Plan, launched in 2013 after a deadly 2010 heatwave, combines early warnings, public education, and cooling strategies like heat shelters and cool roofs. It has reduced heat-related deaths and serves as a model for climate resilience in India.