Community / Economic Development

Marijuana

Denver Won't Ease Restrictions for Social Marijuana Uses

The ongoing evolution of land use regulation related to legal marijuana hit a roadblock in Denver this month, although the city has already allowed nearly unprecedented freedom (in the U.S., at least) to buy, sell, and consume marijuana in the city.

April 26, 2019 - The Denver Post

Detroit, Michigan

Protecting Detroit's Historic Food District

Detroit's historic food district is under very contemporary development pressure, so the nonprofit tasked with managing the market has decided to define principles that prioritize affordability and inclusivity in the area.

April 25, 2019 - Crain's Detroit Business

Pittsburgh Public Space EVent

We Need More Words for Play

Could cities harness the power of play to build more healthy, resilient, and equitable communities, if only we had the words for it?

April 25, 2019 - Sarah Siplak

Fruit Belt, Buffalo

Google Maps' Digital Erasure Highlights Issues of Community Identity in Buffalo, NY

In the face of displacement and gentrification, residents of the Fruit Belt neighborhood of Buffalo, NY point to tech-giant Google's map service as one among many possible causes.

April 23, 2019 - OneZero via Medium

Hip Hop Architecture Camp Connects D.C. Youth to Futures in Urban Planning

D.C. youth collaborate with local hip hop artists to create planning inspired music video.

April 23, 2019 - Curbed Washington D.C.

Coal Extraction

Judge Halts Sales of New Coal Mining Leases on Federal Lands

Once again, the president's efforts to undo his predecessor's environmental legacy were thwarted by a court ruling. In this case, the Interior Department's failure to conduct an environmental review of a Trump executive order ran afoul of NEPA.

April 23, 2019 - The New York Times

Union Terminal Cincinnati

Preservation and Redevelopment Can Work Hand in Hand

While historic preservation is often perceived to be a hinderance to development efforts, preserving buildings actually helps economic development, say advocates.

April 22, 2019 - Cincinnati Edition

Nashville Tennessee

A Boom in Nashville, but Fast Growth Could Bring Problems

Nashville has a great deal going for it, but rising housing costs and gentrification could take it down a darker path.

April 22, 2019 - The Guardian

Inglewood NFL Stadium

Residents Left Behind as L.A. Stadium Project Surges Ahead

Inglewood had fallen on hard times, but then plans for a massive sports and entertainment complex came along. While the city’s future is poised to change dramatically, the development is also displacing residents.

April 20, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Central Parkway

Civic Crowdfunding to Mitigate 'Bikelash'

Public outcry about the priority given protected bike lanes on streets can be mitigated when civic crowdfunding is part of the planning process, according to this article.

April 18, 2019 - The Conversation

East Bay Regional Park District

Trails and Rails Battle in San Francisco Bay Shoreline Park

Can freight trains and a scenic shoreline park along San Francisco Bay coexist, or are they incompatible uses? The East Bay Regional Park District voted to remove old rail tracks that BNSF Railway wants to reactivate. A local court may decide.

April 16, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Donald Trump

Trump Signs Two Executive Orders Limiting States' Authority Over Energy Pipelines

The Trump administration's "energy dominance" agenda depends, in part, on growing the energy distribution network, namely pipelines, rail facilities, and ports. However, states can use the Clean Water Act to block pipelines and coal terminals.

April 15, 2019 - InsideClimate News

Public Art Bronx

N.Y.C. Artists in Residence Tackle Social Issues

A program in New York brings artists into public agencies to work on collaborative projects that take creative approaches to problem solving.

April 14, 2019 - The New York Times

San Francisco Apartments

S.F. Law Would Give Nonprofits Dibs on Apartment Buildings for Sale

The legislation would make nonprofit organizations more competitive in the real estate market by letting them get ahead of speculators.

April 13, 2019 - NextCity

Cobblestones vs. Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Controversy in Brooklyn

Improving streets in Sunset Park by removing cobblestones and aging train tracks has created a controversy between historic preservation and the need for safe bike and walking facilities and other streetscape improvements.

April 12, 2019 - Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Vacant Properties

More Evidence that Decline and Concentrated Poverty Define the Urban Experience

Concern about gentrification in urban areas has dominated the urbanism discussion for more than a decade now, at the expense of a more informed understanding of urban dynamics and the potential for more effective action.

April 12, 2019 - University of Minnesota Law School

Woman Walking

How to Design and Plan to Address the Root Causes of Gender Inequality

Gender equality has never played such a prominent role in the design of public and urban spaces. The world needs more than superficial, reactionary measures to address the long history of public space as the physical realm of patriarchy.

April 12, 2019 - Behavioral Scientist

Old houses with large porch and colorful siding

Time to Delink Homeownership from Asset Building

Using homeownership as an asset-building mechanism and retirement plan might not be a great thing for our society.

April 11, 2019 - Shelterforce

New York City to Reduce Truck Emissions by Investing in Freight Rail Infrastructure

The Big Apple may claim the nation's highest public transit ridership, but it ranks well below average in its use of freight rail. Two small short line railroads are at the center of a $100 million investment to reduce truck reliance.

April 11, 2019 - The New York Times

Young Apartment Residents

In This New Co-Living Partnership, Friendships Are the Ultimate Amenity

Kin, a new partnership between the real estate company Tishman Speyer and the co-living company Common, bets that residents will accept smaller living spaces in exchange for a community borne out of in-house sharing-economy amenities.

April 8, 2019 - Lev Kushner

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.