Community / Economic Development

Mexico's Traditional Housing Is Disappearing—and With It, a Way of Life
Mariana Ordóñez Grajales and Onnis Luque are fighting to preserve their country's vernacular architecture.

Cities Turn to Highway Cap Parks for Economic Development
Some worry that, of the many reasons cities pursue cap parks, creating quality green space is low on the list.
The Philadelphia Design District Makes its Debut
Long a hub of creative workers in Philadelphia, a collaboration of companies based in the Old City neighborhood in Philadelphia has rebranded as the Philadelphia Design District.

Responses to the Suburbanization of Poverty in Short Supply
Low-income residents have scattered to the periphery, where social services are less accessible.

'Jumpstart Germantown' Aims for the Antidote to Gentrification
A new program based in the Germantown neighborhood in Philadelphia aims to encourage community ownership of urban re-investment.

Reviving the 'Miracle Mile' May Be Tucson's Next Big Thing
After tremendous success with a streetcar line, the desert city is considering strategies for investing in its historic automobile corridor.

Cryptocurrency Goes in Search of Cheap Power, Finds it in Small-Town America
Some of the least expensive electricity in the country can be found in Upstate New York, where cryptocurrency miners are starting to set up shop—with or without local approval.

Eyes from the Street: The Neighbourhood Fabric that Matters
The mantra “eyes on the street" focuses on the physical and functional traits of urban fabric but fails to explain the high crime rate of my Jacobsian neighbourhood. Time to reconsider, look for explanations, and exchange mantras for research.

Research Connects School Choice to Gentrification
One unintended consequence of No Child Left Behind: increased gentrification.

San Francisco to Grant Low-Cost Housing Preference to Artists
A new program underway at the San Francisco Arts Commission would make it easier for artists to gain access to the city's stock of affordable rental and ownership opportunities.

Ohio Announces 320 'Opportunity Zones'
The new Opportunity Zones program is one to watch as states around the country throw their hats in the ring.

Mayor de Blasio Wants a Vacancy Tax to Combat Empty Storefronts
The hottest trend in commercial real estate, letting storefronts in Manhattan sit empty while waiting for top dollar, is robbing the city's streets of the benefits of a bustling economy.

More Bad News for Tesla—This Time From the EPA
A rollback of fuel economy standards carries huge financial consequences for the all-electric vehicle manufacturer that makes over $300 million annually by selling credits to auto manufacturers unable to achieve current fuel economy standards.

The Cities that Most Resemble Each Other
A fun activity in city comparison.

APA-Texas Acknowledges the Great Places of the Lone Star State
There are a lot of great places to celebrate in Texas, and the state chapter of the American Planning Association is in the second year of a program that calls attention to the role of planners in making them happen.

Researchers Find a Model of Redevelopment Without Displacement
It's the "holy grail" of urban planning, say researchers.
Wisconsin's Foxconn Deal Inspiring Lots of Transit Planning
The msot recent proposal for new public transit to serve the Foxconn facility in Racine County: a commuter rail connection from Downtown Milwaukee.

Amazon Picks Springfield Over Quahog and South Park for HQ2 Location
The pundits got it wrong.

Big Philadelphia Parks Bond on Hold While Funding Debated in Court
The Rebuild initiative in Philadelphia depends on funding generated by a 1.5 cents-an-ounce tax on sugary beverages. The tax is in effect, but $300 million in bonds have to wait for a court decision about the tax.

Yes Sitting, Yes Skating, Yes Music
Where can teenagers hang out and be safe in public? Members of Yes Loitering, advocates for public spaces where youth can “hang out and be themselves” without fear of reprisal.
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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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service