Community / Economic Development

The Difference Between Roads and Streets

Tao Rugkhapan reports on the etiology traffic accidents which are becoming all to common in Bangkok as vehicle speeds increase along with lane tolerances and the number of elevated expressways.

January 15, 2011 - This Big City

Prince Charles Plans Shanty Town for India

Prince Charles is planning to build a 15,000-person shanty town in India, modeled after Dharavi, the Mumbai settlement featured in the movie "Slumdog Millionaire".

January 14, 2011 - Daily Mail

The Best "Chains on Main"

The Commercial District Advisor and LISC have selected five businesses as "The Best Chains on Main", recognizing their commitment to economic revitalization and dedication to improving their communities.

January 13, 2011 - The Commercial District Advisor

Top Planning Issues of 2010

January 13, 2011 - Tim Halbur

A Test Case for Shrinking Cities

With a fleeing population, Youngstown, Ohio was ahead of the current trend on "shrinking cities." So what can planners learn from Youngstown's example?

January 13, 2011 - New Urban Network

Mayors Speak Out Against Brown's Shutdown of Redevelopment Agencies

Mayor Villaraigosa of L.A. and Mayor Chuck Reed of San Jose have both spoken publicly against Governor Jerry Brown's plan to eliminate all of the state's redevelopment agencies to save cash.

January 12, 2011 - Curbed LA

Cities to Supplant Nations as Drivers of Future World

Parag Khanna suggests that cities are the building blocks of humanity, and will take increasing control over the future shape of the world in the coming decades.

January 11, 2011 - What Matters

End of an Era in Toronto

Toronto Star critic Christopher Hume predicts a lackluster 2011 for Toronto -- both in terms of architecture and urbanism.

January 11, 2011 - The Toronto Star

Youth Flow into Detroit and Spur Investment

Amid talk of downsizing and abandonment, a new surge of young investors has been moving into Detroit and revitalizing its economy.

January 11, 2011 - The Detroit Free Press

Mega-Retailer Revives Effort to Move Into New York City

Wal-Mart has started a major public relations effort to try to get the public behind plans to open several of its big box retail stores in New York City.

January 11, 2011 - The New York Times

The People of Pruitt-Igoe

A new documentary promises to reveal the stories of the people who lived in the infamous Pruitt-Igoe housing complex. The filmmakers promise to "implode myths" about this symbol of failed urban renewal policy.

January 10, 2011 - pruitt-igoe.com

Fighting Blight in the Bronx

A New York man who has watched a Bronx neighborhood fall into despair over decades is hoping to help un-blight the troubled area.

January 10, 2011 - The New York Times

The Kids Are All Blight

The cities that often top the "most livable" lists like San Francisco, Portland, Boston and D.C. also happen to have the lowest percentage of households with children. Does that mean that kids make places un-livable?

January 7, 2011 - Conservative Planner Blog

The Best Cities for Conducting Business

A panel of "frequent fliers" chooses the best cities to have a business meeting, a convention, and all-around business friendliness.

January 7, 2011 - The Globe and Mail

Salt Lake City Mayor's Streetcar Moment

In his annual state-of-the-city speech, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker highlighted what he sees as his most important accomplishment: a streetcar.

January 6, 2011 - Deseret News

Census Releases New Ways to Measure Poverty

The U.S. Census Bureau has released a new set of formulae that dramatically change the way poverty is determined in the U.S., leaving behind the one-size-fits-all approach in use since the 1960s.

January 6, 2011 - The Washington Post

China Plans its Biggest Mall

Developers in China are pushing forward plans to build a 4-million-square-foot shopping mall as part of a major cultural center outside of Beijing's Central business district. It will be the biggest mall in the country.

January 6, 2011 - Baltimore Business Journal

Governor Considers Cutting Redevelopment Agencies

California Governor Jerry Brown has announced plans to reduce the state's budget gaps by possibly eliminating a wide array of projects and agencies, including the state's redevelopment agencies.

January 5, 2011 - The Sacramento Bee

What Will Chicago Be Like, Post-Daley?

Blair Kamin reflects on the soon-to-be-ex-mayor Richard Daley's legacy, his "passion to build," and how Chicago might be shaped without his influence.

January 4, 2011 - The Chicago Tribune

El Paso Hopes to Revive Business Corridors

The city of El Paso is hoping a new plan will breathe life back into formerly booming streets sucked dry after a freeway replaced them as the main entrance to town.

January 3, 2011 - El Paso Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.