Community / Economic Development

Do Factories Belong in Dense Urban Environments?

"Vertical Urban Factory," an in-depth visual and written study of urban industrial structures, is reviewed by urban environment author Carol Berens.

December 26, 2016 - UrbDeZine

Seattle Mixed Use Development

New Seattle Loan Fund Finances Affordable Housing

As excitement builds around Seattle's voter-approved transit expansion plan, the REDI Fund will preserve space for low and middle-income residents in new transit-oriented developments.

December 26, 2016 - Next City

Detroit Motor City

Holiday Cheer from Detroit: Downtown Office Vacancies Have Rebounded in a Big Way

A new report on office vacancies in Downtown Detroit shows just how far Downtown Detroit has come in ten years.

December 25, 2016 - The Detroit News

Homeless in New York City

New York City Relying on Hotels to House the Homeless

Throughout 2016, New York City has expanded the practice of renting hotel rooms to house homeless people. Now the city is looking for a vendor to shoulder some of the work of finding rooms for those in need.

December 25, 2016 - Politico New York

It's A Wonderful Life

The Place-Based Magic of 'It's a Wonderful Life'

An examination of the commentary on place found in the classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life."

December 25, 2016 - CityLab

President Obama Enacts Permanent Drilling Ban Along Arctic and Atlantic Coasts

In a precedent-setting action that supporters call creative and opponents view as abusive, President Obama has declared a permanent drilling ban off the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Maine and along much of the Alaska coast. But will it last?

December 22, 2016 - The New York Times

Transforming Vacant Properties Into Creative Hubs for Communities

The Renewal Project examines the work of the House Life Project in Indianapolis.

December 22, 2016 - The Renewal Project

California

California's Birth Rate Drops to Lowest in Recorded History

Fewer babies are being born in the nation's most populous state, now estimated at 39.4 million residents, according to new data by the California Department of Finance. The state grew by .75 percent, adding 295,000 people in the year ending July 1.

December 21, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

Houston Bayou

The Evidence for Houston as a World Class City

Houston is famous among urbanists for many reasons: its lack of traditional zoning, its perpetual growth, and its position in the oil industry are just a few examples. Here, Wendell Cox argues that the city is still under appreciated.

December 21, 2016 - New Geography

ADA Ramp

How Equitable Infrastructure Investments Benefit Everyone

A call for the country to focus its infrastructure investments to the most vulnerable and neglected populations—and watch the benefits compound.

December 21, 2016 - Stanford Social Innovation Review

University of Pennsyvlania

Low Cost Housing Units Disappearing from Philadelphia's Gentrifying Neighborhoods

Researchers from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia find evidence of displacement in Philadelphia's gentrifying neighborhoods.

December 20, 2016 - Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

Minneapolis Stone Arch Bridge

Minneapolis Pulls Out of its Regional Economic Development Partnership

The Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Economic Development Partnership (Greater MSP) will now longer have funding support from the city of Minneapolis.

December 20, 2016 - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Electoral College

The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2016

No Electoral College needed: these were the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2016.

December 19, 2016 - James Brasuell

Chicago Riverwalk

Embracing Rivers as a Vehicle for Urban Revitalization

A new study includes urban rivers as a potential powerful amenity for economic development and revitalization. The city of Chicago has already taken note.

December 19, 2016 - Chicago Magazine

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Goes High-Tech to Monitor Vacant Properties

The city of Philadelphia has deployed high-tech sensors and a new statistical model in its ongoing fight against the blight and health problems that follow vacant and abandoned properties.

December 18, 2016 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Wildlight: New Urbanism's Answer To Lowcountry Living?

Is it possible to create a community combining the best elements of Lowcountry southern living, cuisine, and architecture with industry and New Urbanism?

December 17, 2016 - Modern Cities

Casinos

Madrid to Build Mega Casino, Betting on New Jobs and Tourist Dollars

Spain's capital may build a huge casino, but many fear that the facility will flounder in the way similar mega-projects have in the past.

December 17, 2016 - CityLab

Gentrification the Killer in Oakland Fire

Already, the Ghost Ship tragedy is being used as a justification for code enforcement crackdowns that will likely further gentrification. But how can we combat gentrification and displacement and improve safety at the same time?

December 16, 2016 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Denver

Cultural Policy in the Mile High City

Ginger White Brunetti, deputy director of Denver Arts & Venues, discusses cultural policy in the Colorado capital.

December 15, 2016 - Soft City

Northridge Earthquake, 1994

Five Lessons for Resilience

Resilience is commonly understood as the capacity to endure shocks and stresses. But for Lisa Dickson, Arup’s resilience leader for the Americas, this definition is too limiting. Jeff Byles talks with her about five key lessons on resilience.

December 15, 2016 - Doggerel

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.