Community / Economic Development

Nebraska Lawmakers Hoping to Solve the State's Rural Housing Shortage
Communities across Nebraska report plenty of jobs to go around, but not enough housing for the workers to fulfill the demand.

Coal Miners Are Going Back to Work, Proclaims Trump Upon Signing Executive Order
Flanked by coal miners, President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that begins the roll back of his predecessor's signature environmental rule, the Clean Power Plan, and other environmental regulations to facilitate energy production.

The Las Vegas Raiders Move Enabled by Largest Ever Public Subsidy
Planetizen rounded up the pertinent news stories on the big move by the NFL's Raiders from their home in the East Bay to Sin City. The Las Vegas Raiders will be a thing by 2020 at the latest.

Pittsburgh Moves Forward on Resilience
Building on support from the Rockefeller Foundation, Pittsburgh has released a framework for its future resilience efforts. Concrete details are still to come.

President Trump Approves Construction of Keystone XL Pipeline from Alberta to Nebraska
Following through on a January executive action, President Trump announced Friday that he was approving the oil pipeline that his predecessor had rejected over a year ago. Oil is already flowing from Steele City, Nebraska to Gulf Coast refineries.

'Supervised Injection Facilities'—Successful in Canada, Coming to the U.S.
Needle exchanges are still controversial in some parts of the country, so expect "supervised injection facilities" to be even more so.
The Most Sustainable Town in America
The story of Babcock Ranch, "a planned community that could become the most sustainable town in America," as told by Marlene Cimons for Nexus Media.

Islands of the World Get Their Own Smart Congress
After six years of successful Smart City Expo World Congresses in Barcelona, the island of Majorca will host one that focuses exclusively on islands. It will focus on technology and innovation, and address unique challenges islands face.
Can Insurance Markets Jump-Start Resilience?
Risk-management experts are seeking creative ways to finance resilience investments that prevent damage from natural disasters. Insurance markets, with their direct stake in protecting homes and businesses, can be key partners in this effort.

Improving the Evidence Base for Access to Quality Pre-K
University of Pennsylvania's John Fantuzzo, Katie Barghaus and Whitney LeBoeuf write about improving the evidence base for quality pre-k in Philadelphia.

Feared Dead, Math’s Back: Planning Nerds Vindicated
Deciding how to grow at the local level's not a red thing or a blue thing. It's a math thing. Ben Brown's got the lowdown.
What Will Trump's Budget Cut In Your City?
A look at what the president's proposed budget will mean for cities, and reaction from city leaders.

Homelessness Declining in Santa Barbara
In contrast to other California cities, seaside Santa Barbara is successfully reducing its homeless population. Local advocates cite a tight-knit network of service providers.

12 'World Changing Ideas'
Fast Company recently recognized the best ideas in social impact.

Meet the Organizations Bringing Equity to the Clean Energy Sector
A clean environment isn't the only benefit of clean energy. Clean energy jobs are also providing economic mobility for many of the 3 million people employed in the industry.

Industry Analyst Predicts Grocery Store Closures Across the U.S.
Competition from online retailers forced many physical stores to close their doors, that trend could be headed for grocery stores next.

Friday Fun: The Top 50 Breweries in America
The Brewers Association's annual list of top 50 craft brewing companies is sure to inspire debate this St. Patrick's Day, and every other day ending in y.

Milwaukee's Victory Garden Initiative Turned a Big Idea Into 3,000 Gardens
An urban gardening and public health success story emerges from Milwaukee.

Homeless People and Expensive Housing Cause an Identity Crisis in Berkeley
The city of Berkeley is suffering the consequences of the urban revival—soaring housing costs and humanitarian crises don't reconcile with the city's famously progressive politics.

Debate: Is a 'Restaurant Recession' a Sign of Urban Decline?
Examining both sides of a debate about whether the urban revival's high-water mark is visible in the restaurant sector.
Pagination
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