Community / Economic Development
Locals Upset As Neighborhood Attracts Tourists
As a Berlin neighborhood gains favor among foreign tourists, locals are fighting to preserve their community's charm and identity.
Sailing to a Redeveloped San Francisco Waterfront
In 2013, San Francisco will host America's Cup; many hope this will expedite development along the Bay City's waterfront.
Biggest Municipal Bankruptcy Averted Through New Financial Plan
Budget-troubled Jefferson County, Alabama -- once thought to be on the brink of the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history -- is moving forward with plans to clean up its finances.
Creating a Network of Open Spaces
The city of Baltimore has a new open space plan it thinks will lead the city to future growth that is smarter, more vibrant, and better overall for its residents.
Religious Theme Park Causes Debate Over State Support
Governmental support for plans for a religious theme park in Kentucky featuring a replica of Noah's Ark have spurred protests.
America's Second Most Obese City Get Better Access to Healthy Foods
Birmingham, Alabama is creating a new system of open markets that will bring fresh foods as well as more social space for the city's residents.
Building a Sustainable New Delhi by 2050
Architects and planners in New Delhi are collaborating to create three new visions of the city, all based around the concept of sustainability.
Smaller Economic Growth Translates to Smaller Homes
Americans have shunned the "McMansion" for smaller, more appropriately proportioned homes, a trend which has benefited from the economic recession.
World's Biggest Mall A Ghost Town
A huge mall in China -- the largest in the world -- has just a 1% occupancy rate.
Reusing Broken Concrete as a Method of Sustainable Construction
NYC is reusing materials from a construction site in Queens to redesign the area's streetscape with pedestrian safety in mind.
Seattle's Growth Through Human Capital
Despite what seemed to be a drained post-industrial condition in the 1970s, Seattle has been growing. This post looks into why.
Mapping Cities in India
With high development occurring in India, new mapping technologies can greatly help smart growth in the burgeoning country.
Controlling Growth in SunBelt Cities
Cities in California, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada that were "sunburnt" by the economic recession need to smartly manage their future growth.
Overlaying Form-Based Zoning
Columbus, Ohio has been experimenting with zoning overlays, which do not change the underlying land use regulations but add a set of form-based regulations focused on livability.
Seattle's 'Unsustainable' Parks System
As the parks system grows in Seattle, it is becoming more difficult to afford to maintain. One local official calls the system "unsustainable".
NYC Residents to Challenge Use of Eminent Domain
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg faces challenges in his attempt to redevelop the Willets Point area of the city. Some opponents of the plan are prepared to file a lawsuit against the city.
Jamie Lerner Discusses BRT, "Portable Streets", and Sustainability
The Dirt interviewed Jamie Lerner, an architect, designer, and former Mayor/Governor from Brazil who is credited with introducing the world's first BRT system in Curitiba, Brazil.
Philadelphia Housing Authority Forced To Step Aside For HUD
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will take on the responsibilities of the Philadelphia agency for at least one year, after revelations of profligate spending led to the termination of the former Executive Director.
Facebook Charrette: New Headquarters Could Reinvigorate a City
As Facebook prepares to relocate its corporate headquarters from Palo Alto to Menlo Park, the company organized a day-long charrette to get input from architects, planners, and community members about how to "turn this neighborhood inside out."
Nashville Poised for Growth
Aaron M. Renn says that Nashville has very few significant assets in comparison with other Midwestern cities, but it appears to poised for significant growth. What's happening in Nashville?
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