Community / Economic Development

For Rent

Rising Rents, Stagnant Economy

Since the 1970s, many American cities have played host to rising rents and stagnant incomes. Richard Florida writes about how the "great rent squeeze" might be choking the country's economic prospects.

November 30, 2016 - CityLab

DJ, Knaack Club, Berlin

The 'Night Mayor' Phenomenon Spreads

Managing cities' sometimes-turbulent relationship with their nightlife, "night mayors" help cities capitalize on an industry that has become a marker of urban prestige.

November 30, 2016 - The Conversation

Austin Texas

Austin Will Use Virtual Reality to Attract Foreign Direct Investment

The city of Austin hopes that virtual reality can connect foreign investors and proposed development projects in need of funding.

November 30, 2016 - Austin Monitor

BART Train

The San Francisco Bay Area Voted for a Sustainable, Inclusive Future

We can’t simply rely on the federal government to solve the San Francisco Bay Area’s challenges. Time and time again, we have turned to local do-it-yourself solutions. This year, voters rolled up their sleeves and took matters into their own hands.

November 26, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

South Mall Parking Lot

Black Friday Is A Case Study On Why Parking Minimums Are Ridiculous

At most big box stores, the parking lots occupy far more land than the stores themselves, sucking up unnecessary resources from our communities.

November 25, 2016 - Modern Cities

Times Square

Is a 'Bright Lights District' a Good Fit for Atlanta?

Brightly lit pedestrian and commercial districts like Times Square and Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo are some of the most famous urban environments in the world. But that doesn’t mean they work in every city.

November 24, 2016 - CityLab

The Cost of Thanksgiving at Whole Foods in Englewood in Chicago

Is Whole Foods making Thanksgiving accessible for residents of Englewood in Chicago?

November 24, 2016 - The Chicago Tribune

New Ohio Law Fast Tracks Foreclosures for Vacant Properties

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland provides an early assessment of a new foreclosure law in Ohio designed to help reduce vacant and blighted properties in the state.

November 22, 2016 - The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

AC Transit BRT

Who Benefits from the East Bay's Big Bus Rapid Transit Project?

A key commercial corridor connecting Oakland and Fremont in the East Bay Area is due for a dramatic transformation in the form of a new Bus Rapid Transit line.

November 20, 2016 - East Bay Times

Oregon State University

Op-Ed: Invest in Public University Development Projects to Protect Jobs

The case for state investments in public university campus development projects in Oregon.

November 20, 2016 - The Oregonian

What Now for Philly Neighborhoods Reconnected by the Rebuilt 41st Street Bridge?

The city of Philadelphia's "most notorious unfinished infrastructure project" is now complete. What will the rebuilt 41st Street Bridge mean for the neighborhoods on either side?

November 19, 2016 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Shepard Fairey

Obama Order Creates the Council on Community Solutions

The Obama Administration recently offered a parting gesture toward better coordination between the federal government and local and regional municipalities.

November 19, 2016 - Next City

Los Angeles in 1939, as determined by the  Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC).

Revealed: Inequality And Urban Flight Were Products Of The Federal Government.

If you believe sprawl just magically happened, here's something that visually suggests otherwise.

November 19, 2016 - Modern Cities

Albanian Mayor Curbs Pollution With Data and Children's Help

As mayor of Tirana, Albania, Erion Veliaj has introduced alternatives modes of transport to the city’s traffic-clogged streets and made the public a full partner in the process.

November 18, 2016 - Cities of the Future

Akron

The Vision for a Revitalized Downtown in Akron, Ohio

It's been a busy year for planners in Akron, Ohio. The most recent accomplishment is the completion of phase 1 of the Downtown Vision and Redevelopment Plan.

November 17, 2016 - Cleveland.com

Bend, Oregon

Two Towns, One Brewery: What Roanoke Can Learn From Bend, Oregon

The opening of the Bend, Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery in Roanoke, Virginia is bringing a new realm of possibilities for future development in the former railroad town, as it looks to go from "trains to brains."

November 17, 2016 - WSLS

The Future is Fiction

What will our cities look like in the year 2050?

November 17, 2016 - Doggerel

treepeople_la_093

Four Ideas for Bolstering Community Development Financial Institutions

As gentrification pressures push into ever expanding parts of country, the need for inclusive community development continues to grow along with it. The Urban Institute shares some ideas for ensuring the financial clout of CDFIs.

November 16, 2016 - Urban Institute

Report Finds Rising Poverty in Greater Houston

The Kinder Institute reveals a "stunning trend" of poverty spreading around Houston.

November 15, 2016 - The Houston Chronicle

Trends and Strategies in Urban Assessment Districts

Business improvement districts and other assessment districts are evolving as more residents move downtown. Among other things, place making is more important. Long time district consultant Marco Li Mandri explains the trends and strategies.

November 13, 2016 - UrbDeZine

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.