Community / Economic Development

Factory Jobs on the Rise

Manufacturing jobs have increased 1.6% since the beginning of the year, twice as fast as other job types. Could manufacturing return to U.S. cities?

September 28, 2010 - CNN

How "Arrival Cities" Are Shaping the Future

In his new book, Arrival City, Doug Saunder explores how cities can ease the planet's "final migration" by creating "arrival" neighborhoods that allow newcomers to make connections with each other, their home villages and especially their new cities.

September 27, 2010 - The Globe and Mail

Are We Living in a Golden Age?

It depends on your criteria, says Aaron M. Renn. A golden age of accessibility and consumption? Yes. But is it better to be in an era of plenty, or an era of creation and discovery?

September 27, 2010 - The Urbanophile

Future Olympic Host Working Around the Clock

Sochi, Russia, is set to play host to the Winter Olympics in 2014. Preparations are fast underway, with construction work happening practically around the clock.

September 26, 2010 - The Voice of Russia

Regional Agencies Abolished in U.K.

Regional Development Agencies, a U.K. fixture that developed regional strategies for placing affordable housing and creating jobs, are being replaced by "Local Enterprise Partnerships", which, as Alison Killing writes, sounds suspiciously different.

September 25, 2010 - WorldChanging

Immigrant Growth Powers Houston As A Global City

The growth of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Continental Airlines' largest hub but also one of he principal destinations away from the coasts for international carriers, has vastly increased passenger traffic and allowed Houston's reinvention.

September 24, 2010 - Next American City

Daley's Success As Chicago's 20-Year Mayor

Neal Pierce argues that retiring Mayor Daley's achievements in Chicago "stand out as beacons for mayors, American and worldwide, to emulate." He attributes some of his success to sheer political skill, but also examines seven effective policy shifts.

September 24, 2010 - Citiwire

Taking the Gloom Out of Peak Oil

The latest issue of Yes! Magazine focuses on local resilience, and how preparing for a Peak Oil era -- through such efforts as the Transition Town movement -- can be a positive force for community building.

September 24, 2010 - Yes! Magazine

From 'Ruin Porn' to 'Prosperity Porn'

A new series of films about Detroit go beyond the "ruin porn" that has flooded the media in recent years and focuses on the good things happening in the city.

September 24, 2010 - Grist

LeylandAlliance and Educational Realty Trust Sign Deal

Overall, this $220 million project will be "one of the most ambitious public/private initiatives" in Connecticut.

September 22, 2010 - New Urban Network

A Museum-Based Charrette on Riverfront Revitalization

A new museum exhibit in Vermont invites visitors to review various proposals for updating the riverfront in Brattleboro -- and allows them to submit their own ideas.

September 22, 2010 - Change Observer

Ownership Undecided on California Naval Base Redevelopment

A decommissioned naval base in Concord, California, is moving steadily towards redevelopment as a mixed use community. But who will own the redeveloped base is still undecided.

September 21, 2010 - The San Jose Mercury News

How could Ventura transform?

A short documentary exploring the development challenges that the City of Ventura faces.

September 20, 2010 - The OpenSpace: News For Central Coast Planners

After Urban Renewal, Learning From New York City

Mary Newsom reviews a new book on New York City by Roberta Brandez Gratz, and finds lessons that cross borders even into her very different city of Charlotte.

September 20, 2010 - The Charlotte Observer

Struggling Towards TOD on Long Island

Developers on Long Island are hoping to build transit-oriented developments as a way of keeping young residents on the island and increasing the amount of affordable housing. But some local opposition is standing in the way.

September 20, 2010 - The New York Times

Jan Gehl is Pulling New York's Strings

The man behind the plan? Danish urbanist Jan Gehl has been quietly working behind the scenes on New York's transformation to pedestrian paradise.

September 20, 2010 - Capital New York

The Top 10 Most Global Cities

Emily Peck counts down the top ten most global cities now that more than half the world's population is urbanized. The 21st century will be dominated by the city, writes Parag Khanna. “The age of nations is over. The new urban age has begun.”

September 19, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Urban Living Linked To Heightened Risk of Schizophrenia

For some time researchers have noticed more instances of non-affective psychosis in urban populations than in rural groups. Now the American Medical Association has found "certain elements of city living raise the risk of developing schizophrenia."

September 19, 2010 - The Atlantic

The State of Iowa: Looking Good

Aaron M. Renn says that Iowa has weathered the recession well, and migration patterns have boosted cities and agribusiness.

September 18, 2010 - New Geography

Free Waterfront Land: Must Bring Jobs

Camden, Maine is giving away 3 1/2 acres of waterfront land. The catch? The buyer must pay up front, then gets money back for every worker they hire.

September 17, 2010 - Bangor Daily News

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.