Community / Economic Development
Genius Grant for Urban Farmer
Will Allen began Growing Power, an urban farming non-profit, in an ailing Milwaukee neighborhood in 1993. He has since spread the gospel of urban farming throughout the world, and earned a MacArthur Genius grant for his efforts.
Greenwich Facing 'Financial Tsunami'
Greenwich, Connecticut is a rich enclave of hedge fund managers- and thus is feeling the pain of the current financial crisis like a ton of bricks. Ned Lamont, a Greenwich resident who ran for Senate in 2006, says, 'This is our Katrina.'
Main Street and the Bailout
Bank of America CEO Kenneth D. Lewis presents the case for Secretary Paulson's proposed financial rescue package, and why Main Street needs it.
Cities Embracing Music Festivals
The Austin City Limits music festival, held at the city's major public park, has inspired other cities to invite festivals to their parks, despite the inherent challenges.
Judge To City: Stop The Manhattanization Of Downtown!
In a huge blow to a city already polarized by a ballot-box planning initiative affecting open space on the November ballot, a judge has halted downtown redevelopment by rejecting the Environmental Impact Report in part because of the 'shadow effect'.
On 'Black Urbanism'
Architects and researchers are looking into the influences of African and African-American culture on urbanism.
Health Care Beyond the Hospital
Gail Christopher is hoping that the next president might take the health care conversation out of the hospitals and into the streets.
Bringing Energy Efficiency to Section 8 Housing
Seven very low-income housing complexes in New Mexico have been renovated to be more energy efficient. The work was made possible by a nonprofit partnership that works in part to put money back in low-income residents' pockets.
After Andrew, Homestead Bounces Back
Once nearly obliterated by Hurricane Andrew, Homestead, FL, is now a thriving city with a bigger and more diverse population than ever. This article takes a look at how it got there and how it plans to further reinvent itself.
Trying to Keep Youth in Changing Alaskan Fishing Towns
For coastal fishing communities in Alaska, tighter rules on fishing mean that there are fewer jobs. This is especially evident for younger populations, who find few reasons to stay in town. Researchers are looking at ways to increase retention.
The Branding of New York
A new book documents the re-branding of New York from its days of crime and squalor in the 1970s to today, when Mayor Bloomberg has an appointed chief marketing officer.
Supermarket Sweep
Large supermarkets in San Francisco are being replaced with higher-end specialty grocers, and some say it's a bad thing for many customers.
Best-Performing U.S. Cities
The Milken Institute, an independent economic think tank, has released the results of their study, 'Best-Performing Cities 2008: Where America's Jobs Are Created and Sustained'. Provo, Utah tops the list.
The Bust Belt
How exurban expansion paves the way for the next housing crisis.
Loan Program Brings Independent Grocery Stores to Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative (FFFI) has provided $42 million in grants and loans to finance 58 locally-owned grocery stores, combating fresh grocery shortages in areas of rural and urban Pennsylvania.
Texas Coastlines May Remain Unbuilt
In parts of Texas, state officials and local communities are in a tug-of-war over post-Ike coastline rebuilding efforts.
The 'Third Place' Corner Store
Convenience stores in lower income neighborhoods are notorious for their unsightliness and for carrying unhealthful foods. This article highlights one project that aims to help the corner store evolve into a healthy, community-oriented place.
Battle in SF Over the Meaning of the Word 'Meal'
In order to get more retailers to set up shop in one San Francisco neighborhood, the definition of "meal" must be established to keep out new places that can't serve one.
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
