Community / Economic Development

Close-up of fleet modern electric EV delivery vans being charged in covered parking garage.

USDOT Unveils Strategies to Achieve Near-Zero Transportation Emissions

Three key strategies — reducing travel distances, increasing energy-efficient travel modes, and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and fuels — are recommended to meet national climate goals under the Paris Agreement.

July 15, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Defunct oil well disassembled in green field.

$127 Million Allocated to Clean Up Orphaned Wells in Five States

The funding will be used to plug orphaned oil and gas wells, addressing environmental hazards, creating jobs, and advancing environmental justice as part of a larger effort funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

July 15, 2024 - U.S. Department of the Interior

View of California State Capitol dome in Sacramento, California at dusk.

California Secures $16.2 Million HUD Grant for Affordable Housing

The funding will be used to develop affordable housing, reduce regulatory barriers, and address systemic racism in land use policies.

July 15, 2024 - NBC 4

Aerial view of downtown Boston, Massachusetts with older buildings in foreground and modern glass towers in background.

Cincinnati Eviction Prevention Program Shows Mixed Results

In 2019, a large affordable housing operator implemented a unique program meant to reduce evictions across its properties. Several years, one pandemic, and an economic downturn later, we check in to see how the landlord — and the tenants — are faring.

July 15, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of Pennsylvania Avenue facing U.S. Capitol building

Opinion: TOPA Needs Capital to Succeed

TOPA helps prevent displacement and build tenant power in Washington, DC. Affordable capital is critical to its success.

July 14, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Nighttime view of Cincinnati, Ohio skyline

Strength in Diversity: Crafting an Affordable Housing Coalition in Cincinnati

The city’s longtime champions of housing for low-income residents joined forces with an array of allies to establish a sustainable source of funding for affordable housing.

July 12, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of brownfield area with digger loading a dump truck.

Revitalizing Toxic Sites Using Fungi and Plants

Fungi and plants are being used to detoxify polluted sites, turning hazardous brownfields into vibrant meadows and empowering communities with eco-friendly remediation skills.

July 11, 2024 - Yale Environment 360

Aerial view of park playground in West Los Angeles, California.

LA County Releases Funding for Parkland Acquisition in Underserved Communities

Los Angeles County has released $14.5 million in Measure A grant funds to support parkland acquisition in high-need areas, aiming to create additional green spaces and advance environmental justice and equity.

July 10, 2024 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

Vacant retail storefront with multiple glass doors lined with brown paper and a removed neon sign.

How to Repurpose Vacant Storefronts

Loosening restrictions on clean light manufacturing can revive dormant storefronts and revitalize communities.

July 10, 2024 - Governing

California Aqueduct channel in flat farmland area.

California’s 2024 Drinking Water Needs Assessment Reveals Critical Issues in Public Water Systems

The assessment identifies 385 failing public water systems and highlights significant funding gaps and affordability challenges in ensuring safe drinking water for disadvantaged communities.

July 9, 2024 - WaterWorld

Brick three-story building with restaurant patio umbrellas outside ground floor in Little Italy neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Impact of Local Entrepreneurship on Neighborhood Revitalization

Explore how local entrepreneurship boosts neighborhood revitalization, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing community bonds. Learn about the supportive role urban planners play in fostering sustainable business ecosystems.

July 9, 2024 - Devin Partida

View of trees and pond at Ernest E. Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles, California.

From Academia to Action: An Indigenous Reforestation Effort in Los Angeles

Ary Amaya, a UCLA graduate student, leads an Indigenous-led reforestation effort in Los Angeles, integrating cultural practices and ecological restoration across 27 acres to promote Indigenous sovereignty and sustainable land management.

July 8, 2024 - UCLA Newsroom

Green oil well in California neighborhood.

California's Struggle to End Neighborhood Oil Drilling Faces Fierce Industry Opposition

Assembly Bill 1866 aims to address the health hazards caused by idle oil wells in low-income communities by enforcing stricter regulations on oil companies to accelerate well cleanup, despite significant opposition from the oil industry.

July 8, 2024 - Inside Climate News

Garrison Dam in North Dakota.

North Dakota Tribe Reclaims Agricultural Heritage with Massive Greenhouse Project

The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation in North Dakota is launching a massive greenhouse project to regain their agricultural heritage and achieve food sovereignty.

July 8, 2024 - Associated Press

Roadside "Fire Danger Extreme Today!" sign in Cleveland National Forest, California.

California Voters to Decide on Major Climate Funding in November

Californians will determine whether to approve a $10 billion bond for climate and environmental projects, which seeks to address critical issues such as wildfire prevention, safe drinking water, and protection of disadvantaged communities.

July 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Map of Long Island, NY, with hundreds of restroom place markers all over it.

When You Gotta Go: NYC Launches Public Restroom Map

New York City created a Google Maps layer to help residents and tourists alike more easily locate public restrooms.

July 7, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Yellow Flood Area road sign in Piney Point, Maryland.

EPA Report Highlights Dire Impacts of Climate Change

The latest edition of the “Climate Change Indicators in the United States” report highlights the severe and widespread impacts of climate change on health and the environment, emphasizing the urgent need for action to mitigate these effects.

July 7, 2024 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Four oil wells sillhouetted against the sunset.

Oil Industry Withdraws Ballot Measure, Shifts to Legal Fight Over California Well Restrictions

California's oil industry has withdrawn its ballot measure challenging a law that restricts oil and gas wells near homes and schools, opting to contest the law in court.

June 30, 2024 - Cal Matters

Two young women hiking at golden hour.

LA County Parks Celebrates 80 Years with Free Summer Programs

The department has launched the ‘Let’s Play Outside’ campaign as part of its celebration of eight decades of fostering connections between LA County residents and the great outdoors.

June 30, 2024 - MyNewsLA

Vancouver Skyline

Vancouver City Council Eliminates Parking Mandates, Supports TOD

In a significant step for more diverse housing and transit-friendly development, the Vancouver City Council eliminated parking minimums and adopted a Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA) policy.

June 28, 2024 - City of Vancouver

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.