Community / Economic Development

Walkability Reaches a Tipping Point
With the rise of globalization, and urbanization, people are rethinking how cities should be structured in terms of transportation and mobility. Is it possible to reconfigure auto-centric cities into pedestrian-friendly spaces?

Pondering the Continued Existence of the 'Rust Belt'
A recent spate of articles has pondered the concepts and planning strategies at work in the region of the country described as the Rust Belt.

An Argument Against Government Incentives for Grocery Stores
Food desert-busting is one of the cross-over opportunities between planning and public health, but it's unclear how effective bringing healthy foods to underserved neighborhoods has been.

New York, Dallas Lead Expanding Office Market
The market for office space has more and more companies looking to lease, according to an industry report.
How Will L.A.'s New Inglewood Football Stadium Revitalize South Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles Rams COO details both the stadium's sustainable design and the positive impact the privately funded complex will have on Southern California.
The Part of Cleveland You Didn't See During the Republican Convention
WBUR's Here & Now ventures outside the Quicken Loans Arena to see a distressed part of the city and region, similar to parts of Detroit and Flint. Residents want abandoned homes demolished. Take the audio driving tour of East Cleveland.

Grants Awarded to Boost Agriculture Projects in Conservation Districts
Forty-two conservation districts in 25 state received grants totaling $2 million this week. The funding will create technical assistance opportunities for urban agriculture and conservation projects.

Participatory Budgeting Catching on in the U.S. and Canada
A new report from Public Agenda tracks the spread of participatory budgeting, and provides guidance for implementing such processes for maximum benefit to public engagement.

20 Years Later: the Redevelopment Legacy of the Atlanta Olympics
It's been 20 years since the city of Atlanta hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. The city's National Public Radio station is exploring the legacy of the games.

Reports See Continued Job Growth, Demand for Tech Office Space
A recent spate of reports has examined the up-and-down U.S. economy and predicted the need for more office space to fuel the growing workforce.

Key Facts from L.A. County's Park Needs Assessment Study
L.A. County's Parks and Rec Dept. has just completed a major study of the county's park needs. Departmental Facilities Planner Clement Lau explains the study and below are a few things that came to light.

The Toxic State of Public Discourse and How to Clean It Up
Dave Biggs interviews author James Hoggan about his new book, "I'm Right and You're An Idiot: The Toxic State of Public Discourse and How to Clean It Up."

What Mayors Talk About When Everyone Is Listening
An annual report analyzing the "State of the City" speeches of 100 mayors finds remarkable consistency in messaging.

Planetizen Week in Review: July 18, 2016
The Planetizen Week in Review is back.
Alleys as a Community Asset
Often overlooked, alleys can be transformed into valuable community spaces

Dallas to Offers a $3 Million Carrot for Grocery Store Development
Hoping to attract investments in grocery stores in the food desert of southern Dallas, the City Council recently approved a $3 million enticement.

Should We Stay or Should We Go? Low-Lying Coastal Towns Debate Choices
Two U.S. coastal communities are debating the merits of staying or leaving due to effects from climate change and rising sea levels

Report Details Georgia's Community Improvement Districts
As more community improvement districts come online in Georgia, some are finding limitations to the reach of the taxes they generate. A new report makes a thorough examination.
The Sharing Economy Comes to Urban Public Schools
How one firm is integrating sharing economy principles to bolster Chicago's public schools.

Seattle Mayor Proposes a More Inclusive Department of Neighborhoods
The leadership at the city of Seattle has noticed that the people representing neighborhoods on the city's district councils don't reflect the population of the city.
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