Community / Economic Development
Citizens Fight Cookie-Cutter Design in Birmingham
Residents of Birmingham, Alabama are rallying against a drive-through Chick-fil-A going up in their neighborhood, showing a growing awareness of the effect of development on the character of their community.
The Bright Lights of Nairobi: Brought to You By Colgate
A private company, working with the City Council of Nairobi, sells advertising space to fund streetlights in the city. Smart public/private partnership, or intrusion of advertising on public spaces?
California Redevelopment Association Faces Fallout From Loss of $1.7 Billion
John Shirey, executive director of the California Redevelopment Association, talks about the recent court ruling that allowed California to take $2 billion in redevelopment from local municipalities, leaving hundreds of projects at risk.
What The Middle Of America Looks Like
Lebanon, Kansas is the true middle of the contiguous United States. Photographer J. Bennett Fitts is documenting this Middle America, a town that has lost a lot of population over the years.
Measuring the Legacy and Risks of South Africa's World Cup
As South Africa prepares to host the soccer World Cup, questions remain about whether the estimated $6 billion investment will be worth it. Some say those questions won't be answered for years.
Towering TOD Proposed For Vancouver: City Unsure
A 30-story residential building will be at the core of a transit-oriented development project at Canada Line's Marine Drive Station in Vancouver.
Richard Florida Picks the Top Cities for College Graduates
Richard Florida and his team have ranked the Best Places for Recent College Grads using nine different indicators, including the number of singles, unemployment rate, rental housing stock, and of course, creative capital.
London Mayor Seeks to Downsize Congestion Charge Area
London Mayor Boris Johnson is proposing a plan to scrap the extension of the city's congestion charge in the west, instituted by his predecessor. Some say the city's air pollution and congestion improvements will be lost.
Development Proposed Near Wrigley Field Not As Bad As Feared
A proposed hotel, apartment and retail complex right across from Chicago's Wrigley Field has many in the city up in arms about what they fear will be just another shopping mall ruining the area's urban feel. But those fears are unfounded.
How Portland Sold Its Banks on Walkable Development
Finding financing is one of the biggest challenges for transit-oriented development. How did Portland convince its lenders to get on board?
The Kinetic City
Mumbai architect and MIT Professor of Architecture Rahul Mehrotra says that Mumbai is misunderstood as two distinct areas, the "formal" and "informal" city, instead of as a "kinetic" model.
Richard Florida Calls for a "Spatial Fix" in Toronto
Richard Florida says that his city of Toronto needs to implement some real, physical changes to inspire economic recovery.
Creative Funding for Pop-Up Park
In Philadelphia, a recent planning school graduate and his friends are attempting to create a pop-up park in East Passyunk using social media and contest winnings as funding tools.
Derelict Detroit Home Used as Architecture Studio Project
Five young architects have taken over a derelict home in Detroit and are using it as a full-scale studio for new design ideas.
HUD Announces $3 Billion for "Location-Efficient" Projects
At this week's Congress for the New Urbanism, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan would score new grant applications on transportation access and residential density.
Report: Senate Climate Legislation Good For Economy
In the first major study of how the Senate climate legislation would affect the economy, a non-partisan think tank indicated it would create new jobs and reduce American reliance on oil and coal while increasing usage of both nuclear and renewables.
Houston, A Model City for the U.S.
Houston is often the butt of many urban planners' jokes. With no formal zoning, wide roads and huge houses, it's often what urban planners are trying to move American cities away from. Joel Kotkin argues Houston is a model city for the U.S.
Chickens Come Home To Urban Roost?
Another city, South Florida's Delray Beach, wrestles with whether chickens can co-exist with urban residents.
State Views Redevelopment Funds As Piggybank
A judge ruled that the state of California is allowed to pluck $2 billion out of local redevelopment tax increment funds. Redevelopment agencies ponder near-shutdown of new projects.
Nearby Commercial Interests May Be Asked to Fund D.C. Streetcar System
Washington D.C.'s planned 37-mile streetcar system will be a boon to nearby businesses, according to a recent report. As a result, the mayor is pushing a plan that would ask commercial property owners to help fund the system.
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
