Social / Demographics
Tourists Flock To Brazilian Slums While Locals Avoid
A new trend appearing in the slums of Brazil is a high number of foreign tourists and expatriates who visit or even move into the impoverished areas. Meanwhile, Brazil's middle and upper classes keep their distance from the dangerous slums.
Controversy Over Sale Of Largest Federally Subsidized Rental Project
Brooklyn's Starrett City is for sale. While most of the rents of the almost 5,900 apartments are federally subsidized, the tenants fear eventual displacement. Governor Spitzer has signaled he is willing to assist to keep the project affordable.
Seniors Face Shortage Of Subsidized Housing
A recent report has identified a severe housing shortage for senior citizens. Waiting periods for subsidized senior housing can last more than 13 months, according to the report.
Highway Pollution Health Risks May Change Building Patterns
A new study about the effects of local highway pollution on children's health has determined that living near highways can cause lifelong health risks. The results may cause many planners to reconsider where new housing and schools are developed.
Changing Laws To Help Orlando's Homeless
A city ordinance in Orlando, Florida, does not allow social service groups that help the city's homeless population to expand or renovate their facilities, out of fear that development will be hindered. Many groups are looking to change this law.
UK Goes Vegas With 'Supercasino'
A license has been granted to the city of Manchester to host the United Kingdom's first "supercasino" -- a 5,00 square meter gambling and hotel complex similar to Las Vegas casinos. However, many in the UK are worried about resulting social problems.
Taking A Walk In Boise
A Boise historian promotes walking as a way to get in touch with the city's history, and officials are hoping a walking education will help residents understand why planning is essential to managing the city's huge population growth.
Habitat For Humanity Encounters Affluent California NIMBYism
The Jimmy Carter charity, long identified with "sweat equity" and affordable housing, is confronting strong, residential opposition in its application to build four homes to accompany three market-rate homes in affluent Marin County west of Tiburon.
Calcutta's Rickshaw Crackdown
In an effort to put a modern face on Calcutta, the Indian state of West Bengal has outlawed rickshaw pulling.
Still Legal To Sit On Portland Sidewalks (For Now)
Passage of an ordinance making it illegal to sit or lie on sidewalks in Portland, Oregon, has been delayed by the city's mayor until more benches and public restrooms have been installed.
A Home In The 'Hood
Cheap rents draw many young people into less fashionable neighborhoods -- sparking gentrification -- though sometimes the trade-offs can be more than bargained for.
Metropolitan Asthma Predictions Don't Tell Much
Wendell Cox discusses the "faulty predictions" of a recent report on the prevalence of asthma in 100 U.S. metropolitan areas.
Rocky Mountain West Under Threat Of 'Californication'
Equity refuges from the Golden State are driving up home prices, increasing traffic, liberalizing politics and bringing crime to cities in the Interior West.
Spanish Harlem Losing Its Accent
A wave of gentrification is threatening Manhattan's Puerto Rican enclave.
Community Colleges Working To Improve Role As Workforce Pipeline
Though they serve over half of all U.S. college undergrads, two-year institutions have typically focused more on getting students to enroll rather than helping them reach their career goals. But that attitude is changing.
Housing Boom Revitalizing Small Town America
As more seniors and empty nesters seek to reclaim the downtown lifestyle of their youth, small towns across America are experiencing a second chance at economic vitality.
Amtrak To Increase Service?
Nancy Solomon reports that due to increased demand Amtrak may increase service along urban lines in its northeast corridor.
New Orleans Diaspora A "Blessing"?
Was pre-Katrina New Orleans unable to support its former population, and thus now -- as a smaller city -- better-positioned economically? Or is it in danger of losing its cultural identity without that population?
Toronto's Compact Growth Stressing Infrastructure
Toronto, Ontario, is on its way to meeting a goal of adding 500,000 residents by 2031. Many see the dense growth as a positive move for Canada's most populous city, but trading sprawl for compact growth is creating strain on its infrastructure.
Comments On Social Interaction And Sprawl Report
In the face of an "inaccurate claim" that city neighbors are less friendly than their suburban counterpart, Robert Steuteville of New Urban News provides comments on the University of California study "Social Interaction and Urban Sprawl".
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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
