Community / Economic Development
One-fifth of Southern California Office Space is Vacant
Office buildings continue to lose tenants as the remote work trend persists.
Designing the Path to a Consequential Place
What is public interest design? And what should we be considering as we shape a process that fully embraces and realizes a project’s public interest potential? Understanding these key principles and characteristics can help.
Latest Trends in Parks and Recreation
Learn about the top trends impacting parks and recreation, including the use of mobile phone data to track park usage, impacts of climate change, rise of pickleball, a four-day work week, and more.
Fresno Pins Economic Hopes on High-Speed Rail
The Central Valley town anticipates an economic boost when the long-awaited California High-Speed Rail begins operations.
Home Insurance Increasingly Unaffordable or Inaccessible
Homeowners in places at risk for wildfires and other disasters find it harder than ever to secure an affordable insurance policy as companies leave some states altogether.
Opinion: Affordable Housing Key Component of Economic Strategy
As the Richmond area grows, having a greater availability of affordable housing could be crucial to maintaining a strong local workforce.
Planning Year in Review 2023: Zoning Reform, a Rail Revolution, and Climate Realities
Last year’s most talked-about planning issues and news.
Big Box Schools with Jeff Vincent: The Planning Commission Podcast
Why are new school campuses antithetical to everything we promote about what constitutes good planning?
Book Excerpt: Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation
The challenge of adapting our communities to climate change is complex and urgent – but taking the time to recenter our collective efforts in the needs of older adults will be effective in reducing their risk and making all of us more resilient.
Transforming the Santa Monica Airport Into a Great Park
The City of Santa Monica took a key step forward in the process of closing the airport, approving an agreement with Sasaki Inc. to assess existing site conditions, gather public input, and propose options for turning the airport into a park.
West Tennessee Towns Seek Voice in EV Factory Development
Locals are employing a tool historically used for sports stadiums to ensure they benefit from the new project as much as the companies do.
Seattle to Host 2024 Urban Parks Conference
In June 2024, City Parks Alliance, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, will hold the Greater & Greener conference, which will include a mix of indoor sessions and outdoor experiences focusing on urban parks.
LA Clippers Support Basketball Court Program
The Los Angeles Clippers Foundation (LACF) is working with the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation to upgrade indoor and outdoor basketball courts across the county.
Serving Communities Through Mobile Recreation
Tulsa Parks has launched a new program called “Rec ‘N’ Roll” to provide recreational opportunities to more kids in underserved areas.
Portland, Maine Embraces Zoning Reform for Multifamily Housing
The Portland City Council amended the land use code to allow up to four units on all residential lots on the mainland, and up to three on island lots. It also eliminated parking requirements for these uses.
Why Big Box Stores Are Abandoning Their Urban Experiment
And why that may not be such a bad thing.
Commentary: A Vision for Responsible Neighborhood Revitalization
The first project under Chicago’s Woodlawn Housing Preservation Ordinance is taking shape, aiming to bring new housing and retail to the neighborhood while avoiding displacement.
Creating a New Park Where It is Most Needed
Los Angeles County just celebrated the grand opening of its newest park. Located in the community of Walnut Park, Nogales Park offers a gathering space and recreational amenities long desired by residents.
Opening of Denver’s New Freeway Cap Park Triggers Gentrification Fears
Local residents fear rising housing costs and displacement with the opening of a new four-acre park built on a deck bridge over the newly reconstructed and widened I-70 interstate.
All We Want for the Holidays is…
Here are a dozen timely gift ideas for creating better communities.
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
