Community / Economic Development
In a Distressed Philadelphia Neighborhood, Art Brings Hope
Kia Gregory reports on a mural program implemented in the West Philadelphia neighborhood of Mantua over the last year, that has transformed the area into a work of art.
Sustainability To Be a Centerpiece of Japan's Rebuilding Effort
Having just returned from a United Nations-led tour of disaster-ravaged areas of Japan, Warren Karlenzig reports on efforts across the region to rebuild along smart growth and green economic development models.
The Unequal Cities of America
Richard Florida explores differing measures of inequality, considering both wage inequality and income inequality in American metropolitan cities.
Arrival of Big Boxes Serves As Point of Pride in Detroit
Tanveer Ali sees Detroit, where the impending arrival of retail behemoths has been greeted with enthusiasm by a city in desperate need of jobs and retail outlets, as an interesting test case for theories about the economic value of big-box stores
Tactical Urbanism Comes of Age
Nate Berg reports on the recent release of the "official" guide to tactical urbanism, Tactical Urbanism 2: Short-Term Action, Long Term Change, authored by Mike Lydon.
Emanuel Unveils Economic Development Plan for Chicago - and Innovative Plan to Pay for It
A day after introducing an ambitious economic development plan for Chicago, mayor Rahm Emanuel wasted little time in unveiling a crucial element for implementing the plan - a public-private mechanism for funding infrastructure improvements.
How to Dissolve a Community Redevelopment Agency in California
An interview with Tim McOsker, one of the three appointees charged by Governor Jerry Brown to wind down the affairs of the Los Angeles CRA, reveals an insider's experience of the complexities of respecting contracts and mandates.
Changing the Paradigm of Urban Development
Jason Kambitsis speaks with Bruce Katz, the founding director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, about his advocacy for taking a fundamentally different approach to urban development based on economic diversification.
Housing: Fundamentals, Imbalance, and Solutions
Is the dream home for the New Era compact, connected and mortgage free?
Using Artistic Exploration to Guide Planning Processes
Rebecca Sanborn Stone profiles several innovative communities that are utilizing citizen-guided art projects to communicate values and ideas, break down barriers, and guide planning efforts.
Will Wal-Mart Chase the Cool out of Athens, GA?
In the controversy over a new development planned for downtown Athens, the chain retailer seems to be a Trojan horse for a larger debate about economic development and who gets to define what is best for a community.
Bringing Crowdfunding to Our Backyards
Michael J. Coren shines a light on an innovative crowdfunding site targeting neighborhood improvements.
Baltimore's Strategic Ignorance of Its Abandoned Homes
Yepoka Yeebo reports on Baltimore's newest plan to deal with the tens of thousands of abandoned houses that mar the city.
Why Detroit Was Cursed from the Start
Detroit native Pete Saunders makes the case that poor planning put the nail in Motown's casket.
City Puts an End to Guerrilla "Walk Raleigh" Campaign
A widely publicized guerrilla wayfinding campaign meant to give helpful guidance and encouragement to those exploring the city of Raleigh on foot has been quashed by the City Planning Director, report Chelsea Kellner and Bruce Siceloff.
In California, Assessing the Obstacles to Redevelopment 2.0
Continuing their excellent coverage of the twists and turns in the California redevelopment saga, CP&DR have run two articles this week providing updates on efforts to navigate a path forward for redevelopment.
The Once and Future Urbanism of Sandwich Boards
Chuck Wolfe traces the comeback of sandwich board signage in cities, explains how associated regulations work, and offers reasons why such signage should be carefully fostered.
The Hipster States of America
Writing from Austin, Texas, one of the current centers for hipster culture in the U.S., Lauren Modery proposes a list of the next cities she believes are ripe for an explosion of old-timey facial hair, geeky eyewear, and overall hipsterfication.
A European Model for Suburban Retrofitting
Kaid Benfield revisits the results of a plan to revitalize the town center of Plessis-Robinson, a suburb of Paris, with the suggestion that its success could inform similar efforts in the United States.
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
