Community / Economic Development

Creating More Green Schoolyards in Los Angeles
Led by the Trust for Public Land, the “28×28” Initiative seeks to green 28 schools in Los Angeles by the 2028 Olympics.

A Holistic Approach to Revitalizing Neighborhoods
Affordable housing is one piece of a larger, interconnected approach.

Representing Watts
Not only is JuJu Watkins restoring glory back to USC Women's Basketball, she is also proudly representing Watts where she grew up and where her family has deep roots.

‘Culinary Hubs’ Turn Homes Into Micro-Restaurants
Real estate developers around the country are converting old single-family homes into “culinary hubs,” reports The New York Times.

How Infrastructure Communicates Values
The presence and quality of sidewalks, curb cuts, and other basic elements of infrastructure can speak to much more than just economic decisions.

Enhancing Public Services to LA's Unincorporated Areas
The County of Los Angeles recently launched a website to better connect residents of unincorporated areas to information and municipal services offered by the county.

New Book Highlights How GIS Improves Outcomes
Esri Press recently published a digital book called Mapping the Nation which demonstrates how a geographic approach guides important decisions and addresses challenges around the globe.

Poor Road Quality Leading to Higher Gas Use
Commuters in Massachusetts communities with worse roads use more gas, with the costs disproportionately impacting low-income households.

5 Urban Planning Ideas for How to Settle Mars
Colonization of the Red Planet is a hot topic of late. If someone were to try to take it from fantasy to reality, Earth's urban planners have a few tips that could help set future Martian cities up for success.

The Link Between Transit Access and Employment
Inadequate access to transportation hinders many Americans’ access to job opportunities.

Des Moines Plans to Repurpose Downtown Parking Lots
City officials want to encourage the redevelopment of underused surface parking lots.

Parks and Gardens as Spaces to Celebrate Lunar New Year
Parks and gardens serve as communal spaces that bring people together. As such, there are good reasons for them to host events and activities that celebrate Lunar New Year, an important festival deeply rooted in Asian cultures.

Black Urban Planners Are Redesigning Communities to Help People of African Descent Thrive
Changing the legacy of racist planning policies requires a creative vision, practical solutions, and centering of the Black experience.

EPA Drops More Civil Rights Investigations
A lawsuit that halted an investigation in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ is having a chilling impact on other environmental justice cases.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle: Exploring the Career of the Legendary Dan Burden
Dan Burden joins The Planning Commission Podcast for a look back on his career, his accomplishments, and what's next for The Johnny Appleseed of Walkability.

New City Office Will Regulate NYC Delivery Bikes and Scooters
The department is designed to help the city regulate small delivery vehicles, manage curb space and congestion, and prepare for new technology like delivery drones.

The Importance of LA's Exposition Park
Centrally located in Los Angeles, Exposition Park is a 160-acre urban park that is home to key recreational, cultural, educational, and athletic institutions and facilities. Learn more about the park from its general manager Andrea Ambriz.

How to Participate in Post-Pandemic Urban Resilience
In a summary of a recent talk, Chuck Wolfe provides five tools to help reimagine post-pandemic urban spaces with a focus on livability and co-creation.

LA Metro Could Slash Open Streets Funding
Despite the program’s success across the region and rising production costs, Los Angeles-area events could receive less funding in the coming year.

Port of Long Beach Begins Massive Rail Yard Expansion
The project, which will break ground this summer, is expected to dramatically curb emissions from trucking.
Pagination
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