A new and widely publicized study claims that there is no evidence that Wal-Mart has had a negative impact on the small business sector. A close inspection of the study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance argues that the report is flawed.
"The study's sensational findings have attracted significant local and national media attention, including featured interviews with Dr. Sobel in U.S. News & World Report and on Fox television, and blog articles on the web sites of Business Week and the Wall Street Journal. A shorter version of the study ran as the cover story in Regulation, the quarterly magazine of the Cato Institute.
Wal-Mart has also leaped on the study, producing a fact sheet that highlights key findings and quotes from the study. The fact sheet is being distributed in communities where the company is proposing new supercenters.
A close inspection of the study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, however, found fatal flaws. Most remarkable, the study's authors apparently lack an understanding of the definitions used by the U.S. Census Bureau and are in fact using the wrong dataset."
Thanks to Justin Dahlheimer
FULL STORY: Major Flaws Uncovered in Study Claiming Wal-Mart Has Not Harmed Small Business
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.
Judge Halts Enforcement of Anti-Homeless Laws in Grants Pass
The Oregon city will be barred from enforcing two ordinances that prosecute unhoused residents until it increases capacity and accessibility at designated camping sites.
Advancing Sustainability in Los Angeles County Schools
The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Green Schools Symposium brings together educators, students, and experts to advance sustainability in schools through innovative design, climate resilience strategies, and collaborative learning.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
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.
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport