Community / Economic Development

Neighborhood-Based Apps

Nextdoor Getting Cozy With Local Officials

CityLab investigates the practices of company officials at Nextdoor to cultivate relationships with police and local officials.

May 28, 2020 - CityLab

Coronavirus Open Streets

The Growing Footprint of Al Fresco Streets

The al fresco streets movement, moving dining and retail space into the public realm in space historically devoted to automobiles, continues to gain momentum around the country.

May 28, 2020 - James Brasuell

Coronavirus Lock Down

Commercial Rental Market Teeters on the Brink

Large numbers of commercial renters in New York City are missing rent, according to reports.

May 26, 2020 - The New York Times

Los Angeles

California's Population Might Be Peaking

Heretofore, the question was never if, but when, the nation's most populous state would reach 40 million.

May 26, 2020 - CALmatters

Boise Idaho

Popularity of Opportunity Zone Program Grows During the Pandemic

Investors are looking for safe places to park capital gains as volatility roils the stock market. Opportunity zone programs fit the bill.

May 22, 2020 - Bisnow

Women Public Space

Adapting Public Engagement to Social Distancing

TransitCenter published a new report on the emerging practices of public engagement at a time when large gatherings have been prohibited.

May 21, 2020 - TransitCenter

Urban Planning Model

New Ideas in Urban Research

Findings from graduating doctoral students undertaking urban-related research.

May 20, 2020 - Penn IUR Urban Link

Diner

Uncertain Futures for U.S. Restaurants Raise Larger Concerns About City Vitality

In many American cities, restaurants are beacons of economic revitalization and social vibrancy. Calculations are still being made to determine the toll taken on the nation's eateries, and in turn, the urban economies they serve.

May 20, 2020 - The New York Times

Community Engagement

How Artists Helped a Housing Organization Adapt to Demographic Change

An in-depth look at the lessons one housing organization learned after receiving a multimillion grant to integrate arts and culture strategies in its work. Has the organization changed the way it operates?

May 19, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Washington D.C.

U.S. Homelessness Could Jump 45%, Study Says

Unemployment of historically devastating proportions will force people out of their homes and onto the streets, according to a new study by an economist at Columbia University in New York.

May 19, 2020 - Community Solutions

Food Pantry

An Antiracist Planning and Policy Response to the Coronavirus

What would a crisis response that finally overcomes the history of slavery and structural racism in the United States look like?

May 18, 2020 - Next City

Al Fresco Gelato

Berkeley Could Redefine the Al Fresco Streets Movement

The city of Berkeley is pursuing an aggressive plan to open the streets for outdoor dining as an economic development tool for local commercial businesses.

May 17, 2020 - Eater San Francisco

Vancouver Al Fresco

How Zoning Reform Can Help Businesses Transition to Outdoor Operations

A trend toward allowing restaurants and retailers to expand operations to the public realm outside their brick and mortar confines is quickly gaining steam.

May 15, 2020 - The Hill

West Hollywood, California

Independent Music Venues Face a Tough Road Ahead

Where have all the venues gone?

May 14, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Housing crisis

Housing Justice Organizers Don’t Want to Return to 'Normal'

As they organize for immediate relief for those whose housing was affected by the pandemic, tenant leaders are also building power to demand long-term changes.

May 14, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Pizza in Connecticut

Minimum Parking Requirements Lifted to Support Outdoor Dining in Connecticut

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont included an historic measure in a May 10 executive order: statewide suspension of parking minimums to facilitate outdoor activities.

May 13, 2020 - Governor Ned Lamont

Antioch, California

Another Planning Commissioner Ousted After Coronavirus Controversy in California

Another cautionary tale of a planning commissioner that went too far during the social upheaval of the coronavirus pandemic, and has since been removed from their civic position.

May 13, 2020 - The Mercury News

City Apartments

Opinion: Less Restrictive Zoning Necessary for Urban Areas to Lead Recovery

An opinion piece makes the case for pro-development urban planning as a tool of economic recovery.

May 13, 2020 - The New York Times

Public Health

Survey Data on Coronavirus Effects Reveal Racial Lines

The economic and health effects of coronavirus have spread unevenly across racial lines in the United States, as further revealed by new research from the Pew Research Center.

May 12, 2020 - Pew Research Center

Urban Agriculture

Crisis Could Result in a More Sustainable Food System

The food system, from supply to distribution and consumption, is undergoing a rapid transformation. Community supported agriculture could potentially benefit.

May 12, 2020 - NPR

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.