Community / Economic Development
Will Social Media Revolutionize the Planning System?
Joe Peach understands "that online technologies and the city are becoming increasingly integrated," and argues that social media should have a democratizing effect on the planning process.
States Fighting For Films
As states elbow each other to lure movie makers to their markets with increasingly attractive tax incentives, some say the competition has gone too far.
The Big Business Behind Local Opposition to Wal-Mart
Typically thought of as a war to protect small businesses in communities from being swallowed up by a giant, the local opposition to Wal-Mart stores is often funded secretly by other major grocery chains.
Santa Clara Residents Back Stadium Spending
Residents in Santa Clara, California have approved a measure that would direct $937 million in funding towards the creation of a stadium intended to lure the San Francisco 49ers football team.
Party in the Graveyard
The Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado is trying to lighten up what is typically a somber setting by scheduling concerts and other cultural events at the graveyard.
Bringing Bookshops Back to the Latin Quarter
Seeing a marked decline in the amount of bookstores in the traditional cultural center of Paris, the city began a program to actively lure them back.
Urban Gardens: Not Just For Hipsters and Yuppies
Hipsters and yuppies are the only people doing urban gardening, right? Grist says no, and gives examples of diversity in Denver throughout the community gardens there.
Public Transit And Road Building Lobbies - Tied At The Hip?
Why would the nation's major public transit organization work so closely with America' major road lobbying group, even when it comes to opposing landmark climate legislation aimed at reducing 33% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from transportation?
Keeping Bad Property Investment Out Of Your City
A new report from PolicyLink presents strategies for keeping out bad land investment, such as when buyers "mothball" the property -- holding on to it without improving it -- bringing down the quality of the community.
Free Courses to Improve Russia's Cities
To help change the pattern of development in Russian cities, free courses are being offered to local architects about solving the problems facing the countries growing urban areas.
Video Explores Daily Life of Five New York Neighborhoods
A new video from Urban Omnibus explores life in five New York neighborhoods, delving into the daily interactions between people and the built environment.
Federal Fortresses: How Much Building Security is Too Much?
Maureen McAvey, Executive Vice President with the Urban Land Institute, spoke recently to a congressional committee on the growing problem of federal buildings that are designed with myopic attention to security and ignore urban growth strategies.
What Caused Guatemala City to Open Up
Amidst flooding and tropical storms, the giant sinkhole in downtown Guatemala City is capturing attention worldwide. The Sydney Morning Herald looks into how it was caused.
Is Hosting the Olympics Justified?
As London prepares for its 2012 Games, already over budget, new studies are being released indicating that no specific benefits come to cities hosting major sporting events.
The Offering of the Modern World Expo
As host of the World Expo, Shanghai is opening its doors to the world. But with most of the Expo's visitors hailing from within China, it's much more of an international marketing effort for non-Chinese countries directed at the emerging super power.
A Rural Future Beyond Agriculture
Development in rural America has long been a confounding problem. Increasing outmigration highlights the importance of finding new methods for economic development beyond agriculture.
Revamped Coney Island Opens
A new amusement and entertainment section has opened at New York City's Coney Island. Long suffering from disrepair and neglect, the new development marks a turnaround. But some locals still object.
No U.S. Cities in Top 25 Best Cities of the World
London-based consulting company Mercer released their yearly rankings of the 25 most liveable cities, and no American cities make the grade. Vienna is number one, and Vancouver takes fourth.
High Schoolers Propose Design Fixes for Neighborhood
The Miami Design District is an emerging urban neighborhood, but in need of some help. Students at the nearby Design and Architecture Senior High School are up to the task.
Economic Fallout of Gulf Disaster Could Top $200 Billion
While the scale and extent of the oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico are still unknown, the potential damage could mean a severe blow to the Gulf's $234 billion economy.
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
