Community / Economic Development

One World Trade Center

Lack of Affordable Housing Could Stunt New York's Economic Growth

Concern about the city's supply of affordable housing is one of the key messages from the recent "geography of Jobs" report published by the New York Department of City Planning.

August 9, 2018 - The Real Deal

Seattle View

How Setting Makes a Place: A Seattle Retrospective

Chuck Wolfe reflects on his rapidly changing hometown, arguing that Seattle’s signature location and setting—however rearranged by the regrades of the past, Freeway Park, or a pending James Corner-led waterfront remake—remains for all to see.

August 7, 2018 - Crosscut

Anchorage Officials Take on Code Scofflaws After Decade of Inaction

Anchorage officials have started to take a more assertive effort toward the clean up of nuisance buildings and properties that have become magnets for crime and other problems. This is the first clean-up of this scope since 2007.

August 7, 2018 - Anchorage Daily News

Commercial and Retail Uses

Chicago Considering a 'Pop-Up' Storefront Program

The new program would allow short-term use of vacant properties, and provide new incubation capabilities to small, start-up businesses.

August 6, 2018 - The Architect's Newspaper

Skyline

NYC Planning Director Marissa Lago Touts Regional Planning

Marisa Lago pens in an opinion piece supporting a regional approach to planning, timed for the release of a new "Geography of Jobs" report.

August 6, 2018 - Medium

Delivering Food to the Rural Poor with a Rolling Food Bank

Food banks in urban settings have long served communities in urban areas, now mobile food banks can truck food to the poor in sparsely populated counties.

July 31, 2018 - Pew Charitable Trusts

Kentucky

Seeking 'Opportunity Zones' Investments

The city of Louisville is making the most of the Opportunity Zone program in the early stages of the new federal program.

July 31, 2018 - Insider Louisville

Twitter Headquarters

San Francisco Could Zone Out Workplace Cafeterias

Large corporations providing on-site cafeterias are considered a threat to local restaurant business.

July 31, 2018 - San Francisco Examiner

Prospect Hill Park, Waltham, MA

Housing Crunch Provokes Debate in Boston Suburb

The city of Waltham, Massachusetts has added over 11,000 jobs since 2010, but only a few hundred homes. Developers see a prime opportunity, but city officials are reticent.

July 26, 2018 - The Boston Globe

Derelict Commercial Buildings

Optimism and Investment, Not 'Managed Decline," for the Rust Belt

Managed decline assumes that struggling cities will continue to struggle indefinitely. Is there a better way to plot neighborhood stabilization?

July 25, 2018 - Notes from the Underground

Brisbane, CA

San Francisco Suburb to Vote on Massive Project to Double Population

Brisbane, a city of about 4,700 on the southern border of San Francisco, will vote on a controversial ballot measure in November to approve or reject a mixed-use development including up to 2,200 residential units on a 660-acre vacant brownfield.

July 24, 2018 - San Mateo Daily Journal

Vacant Lot

Greening Vacant Lots Improves Depression

According to new reaearch, the power of green space where vacant lots previously stood includes mental health benefits, especially in low-income neighborhoods.

July 24, 2018 - NPR

New York City

Zoning Didn't Stand a Chance Against the Economy in New York's Garment District

Zoning can only be so effective in holding off market forces, according to this column. New York City seems to have finally learned this lesson in the Garment District, but will it inform decisions in other parts of the city?

July 24, 2018 - Crain's New York Business

Gateway Arch National Park

Newly Minted St. Louis Gateway Arch National Park Reviewed

The recently revitalized and designated as a National Park St. Louis Gateway Arch National Park is described by park planner Clement Lau.

July 23, 2018 - UrbDeZine

Lehigh River

Environmental Justice Area Expanded to Cover a Third of Pennsylvania's Population

More residents in the state will be protected by environmental regulations enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

July 21, 2018 - State Impact

Yawkey Way, Boston

Friday Fun: Ranking the Ballpark Neighborhoods of Major League Baseball

The Midsummer Classic is over, and the dog days of summer are looming. Not every team has a chance at October baseball, but some still offer a lot to love in the neighborhood outside the ballpark.

July 20, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Detroit Vacant

Growing in the Gaps

In post-bankruptcy Detroit, planner Maurice Cox and his interdisciplinary team are making vacancy an asset, revitalizing through preservation, and listening to residents who know the city the best.

July 19, 2018 - Urban Omnibus

Kids playing outside

Canadian Neighborhood Prohibits Kids From Playing Outside

It's been called a 'War on Fun.'

July 19, 2018 - Vancouver Sun

Health and Literacy Center

A Map of Resources for Low-Income Philadelphians

The Broke in Philly initiative has created a map aimed at making it easier to access support and services for low-income residents of Philadelphia.

July 18, 2018 - Generocity

Miami

Renderings Show New Soccer Complex in Miami

Did we mention David Beckham is behind the proposal?

July 16, 2018 - Miami Herald

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.