Community / Economic Development

Aerial view of downtown Atlanta, Georgia

Quantifying the Losses Caused by New Freeways

Data shows cities lose millions in potential property taxes when highways displace homes and businesses.

August 17, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

A tent covered in blue and black tarps sits on a downtown Los Angeles sidewalk with the white ziggurat-topped L.A. City Hall looming in the background

Los Angeles Wants to Transfer Public Land to Marginalized Groups

A systematic reparations plan has begun in the city of Los Angeles, though it’s still too early to tell about the scale and impact of the plan.

August 15, 2023 - City News Service via the Eastsider

Worker wearing orange hard hat and vest over light blue long-sleeved shirt and jeans inspects rooftop solar panel

Report: Cities’ Climate Plans Fail to Include Workforce Development

While a few cities have detailed goals and investment strategies for building their green workforce, most U.S. cities fail to address the need for the training and education of a new generation of workers.

August 15, 2023 - Route Fifty

Cincinnati and Covington

A Roundtable Discussion on the Future of Cities

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been shortage of opinions on the coming evolution of cities. It’s time to check in with the debate.

August 10, 2023 - Vox

View of vast oil drilling field with black oil derricks near Bakersfield, California

The ‘Necessity of Oil and Gas Drilling’

The California Supreme Court on Aug. 3 unanimously overturned a successful 2016 Monterey County ballot measure that banned new oil and gas drilling. According to plaintiff Chevron USA, the justices recognized the ‘necessity of oil and gas drilling.’

August 7, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Enclosed outdoor dining patio on New York City street set up during Covid-19 pandemic

New York City Legalizes Outdoor Dining

Some restaurant owners worry the new requirements will make it too expensive to maintain outdoor dining structures.

August 7, 2023 - The New York Times

View of east Baltimore, Maryland low-slung brick buildings against a lightly cloudy blue sky

A Dirty Little Secret: Rising Property Values Are Incompatible With Affordability

Rising property values come with positive community development, but this shift can make neighborhoods inaccessible to low-income renters and fixed-income homeowners.

August 4, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

Close-up of car tailpipe emitting white smoke

Federal Fuel Economy Rules Take Different Path than Emission Standards

The traditional approach for federal fuel economy and emissions standards is for the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency to propose regulations simultaneously. This year is different.

August 3, 2023 - The New York Times

An aerial rendering of a sprawling and extravagant theme park.

$2 Billion Theme Park to Rival Disney World Planned for Northeast Oklahoma

The "American Heartland Theme Park" is planned for 125 acres along Route 66 on the Cherokee Reservation in Oklahoma.

August 3, 2023 - The Oklahoman

A large group of press and media surround New York City mayoral candidate Eric Adams.

U.S. Mayors List Infrastructure as 2023’s Top Concern

The National League of Cities (NLC) has published an analysis of mayoral speeches from various U.S. cities, along with Census data and resident sentiments, in the latest edition of the annual “State of the Cities” report.

August 2, 2023 - National League Of Cities

Group of children running toward the camera on a green lawn

Community-Based Organizations Advancing Park Equity

July is Parks and Recreation Month and CBOs should be recognized for the important role they play in supporting parks and recreation in communities across the U.S.

July 31, 2023 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

View from behind lifeguard standing in front of crowded public swimming pool wearing yellow shirt with LIFEGUARD in red lettering and red sun hat

The Lifesaving Power of Public Pools

For many children who grow up without access to pools or lakes, access to swimming lessons and facilities can provide lifesaving skills.

July 28, 2023 - The New York Times

Lush urban community garden with raised beds in dense New York City neighborhood with brick apartment buildings in background.

State Bill Protects New York’s Community Gardens

The legislation recognizes community gardens as vital urban spaces and an effective weapon against the impacts of climate change on cities.

July 28, 2023 - The New York Times

Google street view of single-story storefronts in Los Angeles

Another L.A. Gentrification Story

New art galleries are moving into a neighborhood recently dubbed ‘Melrose Hill,’ prompting both derision and concern on the part of local residents.

July 27, 2023 - Hyperallergic

A crowded sunny day at Santa Monica beach

California Decline: Population Likely Peaked Three Years Ago

A July projection from the state's Demographic Research Unit indicates that the population in 2060 may be about what it is today.

July 27, 2023 - Bloomberg News

Neon "RENO: Biggest little city in the world" arch sign in downtown Reno, Nevada

Reno Plans Downtown Makeover

The ‘biggest little city’ plans to hire consultants to develop a plan for a more vibrant, more walkable downtown strip.

July 26, 2023 - This is Reno

Aerial view of Salt Lake City skyline

Salt Lake City Bucks Downtown Decline Trend

The city’s central business district is bustling with more activity than before the pandemic.

July 25, 2023 - Governing

Blurred image of people shopping at night market

California Bill Would Streamline Permitting for Farmers’, Night Markets

The state currently has no unified process for night markets and other recurring events, making it difficult and costly for organizers.

July 20, 2023 - Governing

Vacant run-down houses in Gary, Indiana

Commentary: Place-Based Policy Must Target Chronically Poor Areas

As more evidence shows that neighborhood-level factors heavily impact future outcomes, place-based policies should use more accurate measurements to ensure persistently poor places don’t fall through the cracks.

July 18, 2023 - Route Fifty

Aerial view of midtown Missoula, Montana with mountains in background

Midtown Master Plan Envisions More Walkable Missoula

The plan envisions safer, more walkable streets, more affordable housing, and improved opportunities for small businesses.

July 13, 2023 - KPAX

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.