Community / Economic Development

Nashville

Change the Only Constant in Nashville

A new series of articles, launched by a big feature earlier this month, will explore the changes occurring in the famous and beloved city of Nashville.

February 23, 2017 - The Tennessean

New York City

Are Driverless Cars Good for Cities?

With experts predicting widespread autonomous vehicle (AV) adoption in the not-too-distant-future, many policymakers, designers, and ordinary citizens are left scratching their heads, uncertain of what to expect and how to prepare.

February 22, 2017 - Doggerel

High Line

Debating the Legacy of the High Line

A new debate has emerged, starting from a source very close to the project, about the effects of the High Line in New York City.

February 22, 2017 - CityLab

Designers Propose New Development Model for NYC's Gentrifying Industrial Districts

From warehouse to art studio to luxury loft: the SoHo model of industrial-zone gentrification has become familiar around the world. A team of New York-based designers developed a proposal for spreading the benefits of economic growth in these areas.

February 21, 2017 - Soft City

Caltrain

Trump's California Double Play: Potential Fatal Blow to Commuter and High-Speed Rail

In one of her first major decisions, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao deferred a decision on a critical $647 million federal grant to electrify the 51-mile San Francisco to San Jose Caltrain line, which would also be used by high-speed rail.

February 21, 2017 - SF Gate

Empty Retail

Should Online Shopping Change How We Use Ground-Level Space?

Urbanist Jane Jacobs' support for mixed use development has long been seen as the best urban design strategy, but this vision assumed that the retail space under housing could be rented. What if that is no longer the case?

February 19, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Amazon Drive Thru

Seattle: Amazon's Testing Ground for Retail Experiments

Amazon Go stores started in the ground floor of an Amazon office building. The company is trying other retail experiments, like a drive-up grocery store, in Seattle, where executives can watch the experiments up close.

February 17, 2017 - The New York Times

Coal Mine

Remember Trump's Pledge to Save Coal Jobs?

The West's largest coal power plant and two Ohio coal plants will be closing, and the coal mines that supply them may shutter as well. The Arizona utility "is tired of overpaying for power," words that surely the president should understand.

February 16, 2017 - The Washington Post - Energy and Environment

Little Free Library

Designing a Better Little Free Library

The care that goes into each Little Free Library makes each example special and unique. A little architectural expertise can't hurt either.

February 15, 2017 - Quartz

The Value of Partnerships in Community Development

Community partnerships can be an effective way to accomplish shared goals. What are the factors that make some partnerships more effective than others?

February 15, 2017 - Community Builders

Urban Garden

Don't Forget to #LoveThatLot This Valentine's Day

What better way to show you love for your community than by transforming its underused spaces into gathering areas for activities and fun?

February 14, 2017 - Center for Community Progress

Allen High School's Eagle Stadium in Allen, TX.

Should Public Money Be Spent On Stadiums or Schools?

Is it time to re-evaluate the amount of public money utilized to subsidize sports stadiums at the expense of other community needs?

February 14, 2017 - Modern Cities

President of the United States

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Responds to Trump's Travel Ban

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) released a statement on the Trump Administration executive order that enacted a 90-day suspension of visas and other immigration benefits to all nationals of seven Middle Eastern countries.

February 12, 2017 - ACSP

Historic Computer

It's Time to Prepare for Census 2020

An article for Planning magazine readies the planning profession for the largest peacetime activity of the federal government. All indications are that the 2020 Census will include unprecedented changes.

February 11, 2017 - Planning

Solidarity

Unlikely Public Engagement Tactics Get Results for Small Towns

Four small cities across the country are seeing positive results with non-traditional public engagement strategies like bouncy castles, beer coasters, and ball games.

February 11, 2017 - Orton Family Foundation

Marching Band

The (Place) Doctor Will See You Now

How a small town in Oregon used a data-driven, analytical approach towards putting policies in place to increase their economic and environmental resiliency.

February 10, 2017 - Modern Cities

Credit Unions Sign

In Underbanked Areas, Credit Unions Pick Up the Slack

Heard of food deserts? Some neighborhoods are banking deserts, where credit unions are the only reputable financial service providers. Now, these community institutions are getting easier access to federal recognition.

February 9, 2017 - Next City

Port of Los Angeles

Where Trump's Trade Policies Are Likely to Have the Largest Effect

Time will tell whether President Trump is able to enact any of the ambitious trade policies he proposed on the campaign trail, but research shows the cities that will prosper or suffer based on the success of those initiatives.

February 8, 2017 - The Washington Post

Homeless Cars

Los Angeles Bans Sleeping in Cars

Critics of new regulations by the city of Los Angeles that ban sleeping in cars and RVs overnight say the new restrictions amount to a ban on homeless people.

February 7, 2017 - KPCC

Women's March Los Angeles

Public Space Offering Surprising Lessons While Hosting Trump Protests

Christopher Hawthorne examines the unprecedented protests of the Women's March and the more recent airport protests for lessons in the understanding and appreciation of public space.

February 7, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

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.