Community / Economic Development

How Do You Say 'Sustainable Growth' in Mandarin?

A new report sheds major doubt on some of the emerging Chinese cities' abilities to grow in a sustainable manner.

November 3, 2010 - Reuters

The Missed Aerotropolis

Aerotropolises are cities that develop around airports into vibrant centers of business and residences. The Boston area had a chance to make one, but the city and state missed out, according to this column.

November 3, 2010 - The Boston Globe

Turning A Brutal Regime into a Tourist Attraction

Officials in Cambodia are hoping to capitalize on tourists' interest in the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge regime with a proposed theme park.

November 3, 2010 - The Atlantic

Economic Powerhouse to Emerge in the Arctic

As result of climate change, dwindling resources and shifting demographics, a new economic powerhouse is likely to emerge in the arctic by mid-century, according to the new book "The World in 2050".

November 3, 2010 - Seed

Gentrification Through Transit Stations

New transit stations can have major gentrifying impacts on neighborhoods -- from median income to car ownership rates, according to a recent study.

November 3, 2010 - Next American City

Forget Cities - It's Regions and Neighborhoods That Matter

When it comes to economics, statistics, demographics, development, and our daily actions, city lines don't count for much - neighborhoods and regions are where things happen, says Kaid Benfield.

November 2, 2010 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Sponsoring Seattle

Leaders in Seattle are considering a plan to offer naming rights to various parks and civic amenities.

November 2, 2010 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Recovering the Real Estate Market By Shifting Development Patterns

The real estate market will only recover once developers start building the types of neighborhoods and places people are demanding, according to Patrick C. Doherty and Christopher B. Leinberger.

November 2, 2010 - Washington Monthly

Looming Transoceanic Highway Worries Some in South America

Officials in Peru and Brazil are hoping for a 2011 opening to the Transoceanic Highway between the coasts of the two countries. But some locals worry about what the road will bring once it's completed.

November 1, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Metros Across The Country Seek Financial Help From Embattled States

Across the country, a growing number of towns, cities and other local governments are seeking refuge in havens that many states provide as alternatives to federal bankruptcy court.

October 31, 2010 - New York Times

Political Cleavage Intensifies Debate On A More Connected LA

Christopher Hawthorne, the architecture critic at the LA Times the contradictory evidence surrounding LA's machinations toward becomming a post-suburban city. He finds public opinion fractured as the MTA finalizes plans for two Westside subway lines.

October 31, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

India's Economic Growth Is Reflected In Smaller Cities

Economists and government officials have long acclaimed India’s so-called second-tier cities as new founts of prosperity and incubators of India’s growing middle class. Now even smaller cities in India’s most prosperous states are booming too.

October 31, 2010 - New York Times

The Polarity of Moses and Jacobs

There are two magnetic poles in the realm of urban planning: Robert Moses and Jane Jacobs. But do we have to always be stuck in this tug-of-war?

October 30, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

Vancouver Urbanism in the Suburbs

In suburban Vancouver, a small development near a university is trying to replicate the successes of Vancouver's urbanism with dense building clusters and walkable neighborhoods.

October 30, 2010 - Grist

Rating Cities on the Trick-or-Treater Index

What makes a city a great place to go trick-or-treating? Richard Florida takes the question seriously, ranking cities on walkability, the number of kids in the population, and a certain Halloween spirit.

October 29, 2010 - The Daily Beast

Can Cities Make Us Happier?

PlaceMaker Hazel Borys explores what might be the most important metric of sustainable places.

October 29, 2010 - PlaceShakers

The Ruins of Las Vegas

Photographers Spencer Platt and Ethan Miller document the fall of Las Vegas -- from abandoned McMansions to stalled, half-completed hotels [Slideshow].

October 29, 2010 - Huffington Post

A New City and Business Hub for South Korea

New Songdo City is rising in South Korea, part of an effort to lure foreign investment and business that will help revitalize the struggling economy.

October 28, 2010 - Architectural Record

Preserving Detroiters' Way of Life

Forbes talks with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing about reshaping the city and how those plans will and won't impact long-time residents who may be opposed to change.

October 28, 2010 - Forbes

EcoDistricts to Rise in Portland

Portland has five "eco-district" pilot projects in the works. The first two are expected to begin implementation over the next year, and organizers are hoping they lead to more sustainability efforts throughout the city.

October 27, 2010 - Sustainable Business Oregon

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.