Community / Economic Development

Details of Philadelphia's $181 Million, Voter Approved Bond
Voters approved a $181 million municipal bond to fund public works investments around the city.

Defining Qualities of Digitally Inclusive Cities
Brookings analyzes the characteristics of the local economy of eight American cities succeeding in bridging the digital divide.

New Virginia Tech 'Innovation Campus' Helped Woo Amazon to Arlington
According to an announcement by Virginia Tech yesterday, their plans to build a $1 billion innovation campus in nearby Alexandria helped win the HQ2 prize for Northern Virginia.

Updated: Complete Coverage of Amazon's HQ2 Decision
The official news of Amazon's choices for its second location broke this morning, but hot takes were streaming in all day.

The Problems With Tax Increment Financing and How to Fix Them
Tax increment financing (TIF) districts are common in municipalities across the country. However, the economic development tool is also poorly understood and often the target of criticism.

Amazon Makes It Official With New York and D.C.; Throws Another Curveball With Nashville
The reported selection of New York and Washington, D.C. as the dual winners of the Amazon HQ2 competition was officially announced this morning. Still, Amazon wasn't done with the surprises.

Tools for Addressing the Suburbanization of Poverty
Suburban poverty is reading, here are a few ways to understand what that means.

Veteran Homelessness on the Rise Again in Expensive Cities
The news about veteran homelessness rising in expensive cities might come as a surprise, after years of reported progress.

Land Bank Trends in 2018
An economic development professional shares three key takeaways from a recent conference focused on land baking practices.

Chicago Parklet Designed to Be Flexible and Cost Effective
A newly installed parklet in Chicago is part of a larger program to engage the city’s public spaces.

Philadelphia Project Seeks Diverse Array of Investors
A development project in Philadelphia is raising funds through a combination of Opportunity Zones benefits, federal tax credits, and crowdfunding.

When Amazon Happens to Good Cities
After the news broke that Amazon was reportedly going to split its HQ2 plans between New York City and Washington, D.C., some cities are left console themselves. A Planetizen opinion piece picks up the pieces.

San Francisco's Voter-Approved Tax to Aid the Homeless Could Face Litigation
In California, 60 percent of a public vote isn't usually enough to approve a new tax.

CDBG Funds Not Useful Focus for Zoning Reform
Linking zoning reform mandates to CDBG funding is not an effective way to change exclusionary zoning.

Google Planning Massive Expansion in New York City
Google's plan to add 12,000 new workers in the city of New York is the second tech company bonanza for the city this week.

Rural Communities Connected Through Grassroots Mobility Services
California residents throughout the Central Valley struggle with inadequate transportation. Shuttle and ride-share programs are filling in the gaps.

Election 2018 Results: Local and State Land Use, Transportation, Housing, and Infrastructure
Election results from every corner of the country.

Survey Finds High Levels of 'Social Capital' in Toronto
The first comprehensive look at social capital in a Canadian city reveals lessons for planners and more about what connects citizens to their communities.

The Mysteries Of 'Social Infrastructure'
In his new book Palaces for the People, sociologist Eric Klinenberg explores the places—from libraries and schools to cafes and churches—where cities' social lives take place. It's a compelling idea but one that Klinenberg discusses clumsily.

Updated: Two Cities Emerge as Front Runners for Amazon's HQ2
According to leaked information, Northern Virginia, Dallas, and New York City were in the lead in the competition to land the location of the second Amazon headquarters. Now sources report the company will split the HQ2 footprint between two cities.
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