Community / Economic Development

nyc. subway.

New York MTA to Spend $4 Billion for New Subway Cars

Over 1,600 new subway cars may be ordered, a minimum of 200 with open gangways, by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The first 500 will be purchased from the Japanese company, Kawasaki, to be assembled in Yonkers and Lincoln, Nebraska.

January 26, 2018 - The New York Times

Pride Parade

Mapping the LGBTQ-Friendliness of the World's Cities

A colorful data visualization tool maps information about which cities have the most protections for LGBTQ people in place. The tool is intended as a resource for LGBTQ travelers.

January 25, 2018 - Fast Co. Design

Risk Reduction

Philadelphia Could Be the First U.S. City to Open a Sanctioned Safe Injection Site

Facing the highest rate of deaths of any major city in the U.S. opioid epidemic, the city of Philadelphia is preparing to take drastic measures.

January 24, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Los Angeles

Temporary Trailers Will House Homeless in Downtown L.A.

If approved, a City Council motion would mark a shift in how Los Angeles deals with a rising number of homeless residents.

January 23, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Retail

Dollar General Unveils Urban Format Store For Millennials

Now proposing to add another 900 stores in 2018, Dollar General continues to rapidly expand throughout the U.S. However, their push for a smaller more urban format is something seriously worth watching.

January 23, 2018 - Modern Cities

Brario 31

Barrio 31 in Buenos Aires Holds Universal Truths About Informal Urban Places

A study of a poorer neighborhood in Buenos Aires reveals that a delicate balance of design, public space, planning, and access are keys to success.

January 22, 2018 - Next City

Seattle, Washington

Saturday Night Live Skewers Amazon's Hunt for a Second Headquarters

The Saturday Night Light Live cast took a break from satirizing the Trump Administration to poke fun at Amazon.

January 22, 2018 - Recode

Houston Light Rail

Two Studies Show How Light Rail Benefits Houston

Finally, the city seems to be reaping benefits from a major investment in public transportation.

January 21, 2018 - The Urban Edge

Orange County to Remove 1,000 Homeless People From the Santa Ana River

Responding to local homeowners and politicians, Orange County will clear homeless encampments from a riverbed and stormwater channel under its control.

January 20, 2018 - KPCC

Detroit

After Amazon: Planning for Regional Growth

The dichotomy in economic outcomes around the country won't be solved by one-off competitions like the bidding process to land Amazon's second headquarters.

January 20, 2018 - Brookings

Bezos Center for Innovation at the Museum of History and Industry

What About the 218 Left Behind By Amazon?

A CityLab article surveys Twitter for the seven stages of Amazon grief.

January 19, 2018 - CityLab

Seattle, Washington

The $5 Billion Question: Will Cities Win or Lose in the Bid for Amazon's Second Headquarters?

We asked more than a dozen urban experts: How will cities gain or lose from the competition to host Amazon's second North American headquarters?

January 18, 2018 - Penn IUR Urban Link

Solar Powered City

Residents Move Into America's First Solar Powered Town

Residents will live in solar powered homes and ride around the community in self-driving, solar-powered shuttles. Babcock Ranch outside of Fort Myers, Florida, has been in the making since 2005. A city of 50,000 is forecasted.

January 18, 2018 - CBS This Morning

Amazon Fulfillment Center

Amazon Announces 20 Finalists for its Second Headquarters

In September, 238 applicants dreamed the impossible dream of attracting the second headquarters of Amazon, along with some 40,000 jobs. Today, all but 20 of those applicants will have to find a new quest.

January 18, 2018 - The New York Times

'An Adult Day Care on Every Corner:' Aging in the Rio Grande Valley

In a region where most people “age in place,” facilities offering services and socialization give primary caregivers a much-needed break.

January 15, 2018 - The Texas Observer

Akron Bus

Well Planned Bus Routes Can Help Improve Poverty

A new study by Rahul Pathaka, Christopher K. Wyczalkowskib, Xi Huangb produces new evidence for the most effective method for improving conditions of poverty.

January 15, 2018 - Chicago Policy Review

Chicago Bikers

Wisconsin Ad Campaign Ridicules Illinois to Attract Millennials

A critique of the "Wisconsin: It's more you" ad campaign serves as a lesson for anyone who throws the word Millennial around like a magic talisman.

January 13, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Hawaii

Hawaii Population in Rare Decline

The population of Hawaii fell in 2017 for only the third time since 1959. High housing costs are likely to blame.

January 10, 2018 - The Washington Post

Gentrification

Op-Ed: Time to Ditch the Old Data Used to Separate Gentrification From Displacement

Norman Oder asks readers to question the evidence traditionally cited in arguments that attempt to disprove displacement as a consequence of gentrification.

January 8, 2018 - Shelterforce

pallets of green oil barrels stacked

U.S. on Track to Record Oil Production This Year

The current U.S. record is 10 million barrels per day set in 1970. Last year averaged 9.2 million b/d. Experts believe that record will be reached this spring, if it hasn't already. Can Trump claim credit for the surging production?

January 6, 2018 - NPR

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.