Community / Economic Development
Corporate Cafeterias Survive Proposed Legislation to Zone Them Out of Existence
San Francisco's Planning Commission rejected a bill that would have made it illegal to open new office cafeterias, recommending that legislation be crafted to allow these eateries to be open to the public instead.
Somerville Launches 'Urban Lab' for Innovation
The city seeks to incubate creative ideas in the public interest.
Will More Money Solve San Francisco's Homelessness Problem?
San Francisco voters will decide on Proposition C, a business tax based on gross receipts levied on large employers, the most contentious of five local measures.
Milwaukee Bus Lines Are Lifeline to Jobs for the City’s Neediest Workers
Funding for two routes is running out soon, but many workers depend on this service to access jobs outside of the city.
Wages are Higher in Urban Areas, But Growing Faster in Rural Counties
The story of the success of American cities is more complicated when we look at the details.
Spokane Disallows ICE from Operating on Public Transit
Spokane city government went forward with the ordinance after they were unable to reach an agreement with the federal agency.
Pace of Transformation Quickens in Downtown Phoenix
The Arizona Republic spent the week fêting the "rebirth" of Downtown Phoenix, covering the evolution of the urban core of this sprawling metropolis from several angles.
Vacancy Problem Intensifying Milwaukee's Affordable Housing Issues
The city has plans to increase affordable housing, but some areas are seeing more progress than others.
Poets Describe Their Neighborhoods
The city of L.A.'s poets write about their neighborhoods.
The Uniquely Racial Dynamics of Gentrification in Atlanta
The Guardian published an in-depth exposé of the causes and effects of gentrification in the city of Atlanta.
For Many Charlotte Residents, Affordable Housing Still Isn’t Affordable
Over the last decade and a half, the city has put millions of dollars into affordable housing. But the help is not reaching Charlotte’s neediest residents.
Treasury Department Releases Initial 'Opportunity Zones' Guidance
A big day for developers as the Treasure Department paved the way for an anticipated $100 billion in private investment in underserved communities.
Lawsuit Challenges Cincinnati's Homeless Encampment Ban
The ACLU will challenge Hamilton County's ban on tent cities in court.
IPCC Report Sways Microsoft to Endorse Carbon Fee Initiative on Washington Ballot
A dire report on climate change issued by a United Nations panel influenced Washington-based Microsoft to take a position on a controversial state carbon fee, Initiative 1631. Oil companies are fighting back, citing wide exemptions from the fee.
Report: Cleveland and Akron Showing Strength in the Heartland
While much of the news focuses on declining population and vacant homes, Cleveland and Akron have quietly outperformed many other cities on quality of life.
Economic Development Strategy: More Liquor Licenses
The state of New Jersey makes it difficult, and expensive, to obtain liquor licenses. Some say that policy makes economic development much harder than it could be.
'Nebraska: It’s not for everyone.'
Nebraska has a new tourism campaign, and it's unlikely to be unequivocally popular.
Chicago Moves Forward Legislation on Obama Presidential Center
The former president's Obama Presidential Center, to be constructed in Chicago's Jackson Park, has faced opposition from nearby residents concerned about its effects on the area.
To Reach Goals, L.A. Looks to New Ways to Build Homeless Housing
Los Angeles is grappling with the rising costs of building housing for homeless people. Rethinking the standard process is a way to save time and money.
Alaskans to Choose Between Salmon Habitat Protections and Resource Extraction
A contentious initiative on the Alaska ballot next month pits protecting salmon habitat protections against the interests of the oil and gas industry and mining companies.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
