Community / Economic Development

Post-Harvey Homeowners Face an 'Army of Speculators'
In Houston, investors are snapping up damaged homes that will be dependent on flood insurance.

Bay Area Home Prices Rise Despite Out-Migration
Kathleen Pender, business columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, points to two reasons why home prices rise amidst a Bay Area exodus to other states. On a state level, out-migration shows California's strong but dysfunctional economy.
Roanoke, Virginia's Evolving Economy Moves Beer-ward
Once, trains dominated the city’s economy, now it's "brains, bikes and beer," according to city officials.

On the Do's and Don'ts of Housing Policy
Brookings has put together nine rules for more cohesive and effective housing policy, despite federalism's tendency to create near-infinite local variety.

Homeless Shelters a Tough Sell With Neighborhood Activists
A plan to streamline approval of a wave of homeless facilities in the city of Los Angeles is running into an early snag with an emergency shelter proposed for a parking lot in the Koreatown neighborhood.

New Revitalization Toolkit for Smaller Legacy Cities
Not every Legacy City has the size and cultural cache of a Pittsburgh or a New Orleans to aid in its recovery, but there are resources available for smaller cities examining pragmatic revitalization strategies.

A $130 Million Infusion for Detroit's 'Strategic Neighborhood Fund'
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Planning Director Maurice Cox announced a major new funding initiative to support the city's Strategic Neighborhood Fund. Funding will support projects in seven target neighborhoods.

Can Density Prevent Diabetes?
In Australia, a new study will determine the best ways to make high-density developments healthy places to live.

Amazon, Seattle Go to War Over Proposed Tax
Amazon, a company with cities throwing money at its feet all over the country, has decided to halt construction on an expansion in its hometown over a proposed "head tax."

Marijuana Tasting Rooms Would Be Legalized by Colorado Legislation
Colorado is taking 'baby steps' toward a thoroughly regulated regime of social marijuana use.

Another EPA Rollback, Tailor-Made for Gov. Walker and Southeast Wisconsin
Politics and economics win over public health in Racine County as the EPA exempted the area around the Foxconn's massive facility from meeting stricter ozone pollution standards, saving the company from investing in smog-reducing equipment.

Cities Need Labor So Badly They'll Pay You to Move There
Some cities are employing a "modern-day Homestead Act" to attract new residents.

Affordable Housing Finance: Show Me the Money
Ben Brown continues his weekly blog series in lead-up to the day-long exploration at CNU Savannah, "Affordability: The Intersection of Everything."

Understanding the Unique Challenges of Urban Loneliness
Let's acknowledge that loneliness and depression is common among urban residents, and figure out ways urban planning can foster connections and social interactions between people.

It’s Time to Build New, Mixed-Income Public Housing
Interview with the co-author of the report "Social Housing in the United States," on the politics of home ownership, why public housing needs to be mixed-income, and providing adequate, affordable housing to all citizens.

Looking for a Starter Home in Dallas? Good Luck
According to a new study, fewer than 10 percent of homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are priced for first-time buyers.

Where the Economic Recovery Has Been Most Inclusive
Across racial and economic lines, not all cities are recovering equally.

Prices Pushing Home Buyers to Suburbs
Unlike previous generations that fled cities, in part over of fears of crime, today people leave many cities because they can't afford them.

New Scrutiny for the Federal 'Opportunity Zones' Program
Opportunity Zones—a new federal program that flew under the radar of the GOP tax reform bill signed at the end of 2017—has been moving along and attracting new attention from media outlets.

Retail Space Shrinking Again in 2018
Because of closures at big box stores like Toys R US, 2018 will see total retail space down sharply even while the number of store closures is small compared to last year.
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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