Community / Economic Development

What Distinguishes a 'Real' CSA?
Community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs originally let local buyers support local growers. But with a rise in subscription-based "food box" clubs, it's getting harder to say what a real CSA looks like.

Opportunities for Urban Innovation in Houston
Kinder Institute director William Fulton discusses Houston's changing demographics and economic prospects. He sees the city as a place to pioneer and implement solutions to Sun Belt problems.

The Why and How of Locating a School in Downtown Seattle
A Seattle writer makes the case for a new school to be located in Downtown Seattle.
What Can Fort McMurray Learn from Greensburg, Kansas?
Rebuilding after a major disaster offers a unique opportunity for a community to step back and ask how it wants to build.
Creative Placemaking: Lead, Follow, AND Get Out of the Way
For governments and institutions, creative placemaking means knowing when to let go. Scott Doyon explains.

30 San Francisco Media Outlets Collaborate on Homelessness
A media blitz scheduled for June 29, 2016 will offer an unprecedented display of "solutions-oriented journalism."

Taking Urban Agriculture For What It Is
New research suggests urban agriculture’s biggest yields are social, cultural, and educational.

Squatters Put Las Vegas Valley Residents on Edge
Squatters living in the Las Vegas Valley have taken over empty houses in struggling working-class neighborhoods and in upscale planned communities such as Summerlin.

Spokane Faces Big Decision on Future of Transit
Spokane, Washington may be at a crossroads as voters consider expanding the city's urban transportation system. Some say it's key to attracting young workers and building a walkable urban environment. Others see it as a waste of money.

London's New Mayor Finds Culture and Heritage in City's Nightlife
London's new Mayor Sadiq Khan joins a growing list of mayors who have become ardent advocates for their city's nightclubs.

Chicago Chinatown's an Outlier of Success
While the cultural authenticity and geographic footprint of Chinatowns around the United States shrink, Chicago's is growing. What can other cities learn from Chicago's model?

Miami's Form Based Code Touted as New Urbanist Ideal
Miami 21 overhauled an 80-year old zoning code and replaced it with a New Urbanist-style form-based code that many credit as being the key to changing development in the city.

Investigation: Walmarts Abuse Local Police Force Resources
An investigation by the Tampa Bay Times finds Walmart stores treating local police forces like their own personal security forces.

Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf Expresses Solidarity for Cities
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf grew up in a small town, but he has since adopted cities among his political causes. In recent remarks, he detailed his opinions about how public policy shortchanges cities—in Pennsylvania and the country.

Public Safety a Growing Concern in St. Paul Skyways
As more people come to Downtown St. Paul to live and sightsee, foot traffic in the city's famous skyways has increased at later hours of the day and night. With that new traffic comes new concerns about public safety.

A New 'Learning Garden' for Detroit's Osborn Neighborhood
A new garden has opened in Detroit's Osborn neighborhood. It's described as the city's first outdoor learning garden.

Dallas Doesn't Deliver on Promised Libraries
In 2006, Dallas voters approved a bond package that promised $42 million for new libraries. Ten years later, and after $11.75 million in spending, none of the projects are close to completion.
The Next Economic Frontier: Cities
Urbanists, test your knowledge of urban economics. Familiar with the concept of agglomeration externality? Finance professor and Bloomberg View writer Noah Smith opines it's a major reason why American cities are not as productive as they should be.
Is a Meritocracy Really What We Want?
At first glance, a meritocratic vision is morally compelling, but upon closer scrutiny, its pursuit ends up legitimizing—and thus reinforcing—the very social and economic inequality it purports to rectify.

Two Rustbelt Cities Take Similar Tacks to Future Planning
Erie, Pennsylvania and Canton, Ohio have faced the challenges of shrinking populations and fewer job prospects, but new comprehensive plans in each city may provide a pathway to resurgence
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