Community / Economic Development

San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s Big Redevelopment Plan Was Paused for Equity Analysis That Never Happened

Checking in with The Hub, a proposed rezoning that would enable a multi-parcel redevelopment at a conspicuous intersection, two years after the city paused the rezoning for additional analysis (spoiler alert: the analysis hasn’t even started).

September 1, 2022 - The San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Apartments

Unmasking the Property Owners

There’s a reason land ownership is a matter of public record—but at the moment the records we have aren’t actually doing the job.

September 1, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

Brick Apartments

When Landlords Hide Behind LLCs

It’s difficult to know who owns property because corporate landlords and investors tend to structure their business as limited liability companies, or LLCs.

August 31, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

Victorian homes in Oakland, California

Closing the Homeownership Knowledge Gap

An Oakland program geared at Black homeowners wants to empower households to understand the opportunities in building and renting accessory dwelling units.

August 29, 2022 - Next City

Busy restaurant seating on New York City sidewalk during COVID-19 pandemic

Americans Have Fallen in Love With Outdoor Dining

Started as a response to pandemic restrictions, al fresco dining has taken off as customers, restaurant owners, and city officials realize the social and economic benefits of outdoor dining spaces.

August 29, 2022 - Boston Globe

A view over the tops of the historic brick buildings of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Ends Parking Requirements in the City’s West End

The West End neighborhood of Cincinnati is home to 6,000 residents but only one dine-in restaurant.

August 24, 2022 - Cincinnati Business Courier

Single-family house with two-car garage under construction

Opinion: To Boost Economic Development, Build Housing

Rather than providing incentives to lure employers to their cities, local leaders should focus on supporting enough affordable workforce housing to accommodate new and existing residents.

August 23, 2022 - The Philadelphia Citizen

Energy efficient canopy over building at Cornell Tech

Efficiency Retrofits Get Expanded Tax Credits Under Inflation Reduction Act

The doubled incentive could be a ‘tipping point’ for innovative construction materials that were too expensive for most projects.

August 22, 2022 - Globe St.

Woman in yellow top sitting at wood kitchen island looking at laptop

Remote Work Is Here To Stay

Based on available data, working from home is likely to remain a popular option with a high percentage of workers, changing the ways and places Americans live, work, and travel.

August 22, 2022 - The Washington Post

A mid-rise building with retail and apartments. A car port announces the name of the development: Avalon.

National Redevelopment Role Model: Alpharetta, Georgia

Cities around the country have taken notice of the big redevelopment programs in the city of Alpharetta.

August 22, 2022 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Two yellow pipes for natural gas or oil agains ta backdrop of snow

The Big Divide Between Big and Little Oil on the New Climate-Energy Law

President Joe Biden signed what he called “one of the most significant laws in our history” last Tuesday. The energy provisions in the law that benefit oil and gas extraction exposed different perspectives within the industry on the law.

August 22, 2022 - Bloomberg News

Food truck customers holding food with food trucks in background

Denver Food Truck Ban Could be Unconstitutional

In a letter to city officials, a law firm called on the city to lift restrictions on food trucks, saying the ban “smacks of protectionism” and could violate equal protection guarantees.

August 22, 2022 - Denver Post

Massachusetts

Boston Will Urge Developers to Provide Diversity Disclosures

Stopping short of a mandate, the city plans to request that developers provide information about diversity and inclusion on their teams.

August 22, 2022 - The Boston Globe

California Shelter-in-Place

Analysis of Downtown Recoveries Reveals Post-Pandemic Winners and Losers

The recovery of U.S. downtowns is happening at widely different paces depending on which city you consider.

August 21, 2022 - Institute of Governmental Studies

Uber Dumbo

‘Instagrammed to Death’ or a Return to Pre-Pandemic Normal?

Familiar controversies might seem reassuring in 2022.

August 21, 2022 - The New York Times

An image of the Sample Gates at the entrance of the college campus of Indiana University Bloomington, with a street and the city in the background.

Cost of Living Rising Sharply for College Students

High inflation, rising tuition costs, and a competitive housing market are making it hard for college students to make ends meet.

August 18, 2022 - Bloomberg Wealth

Rendering of downtown Milwaukee sports stadium with soccer field

Sports Stadiums Bring Few Economic Benefits

While their developers often tout jobs and local economic development as benefits of major stadium projects, research shows these venues often make little impact on local economies.

August 11, 2022 - Urban Milwaukee

Food bank worker carries box of food in front of outdoor table filled with food items

Redlined Neighborhoods Experience High Food Insecurity

A study from Des Moines found that households in historically redlined parts of town are more likely to have to seek help from food pantries.

August 9, 2022 - Axios

Kids

Opinion: Aging Population, Declining Fertility Requires Long-Term Investments

Faced with the dire consequences of a one-two punch of aging populations and declining birthrates, one writer has suggestions for how policy can help ensure a better future.

August 9, 2022 - Financial Times

Los Angeles City Hall

Los Angeles County Launches New Power of Play Initiative

The L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation and the L.A. County Parks Foundation are partnering on an initiative to build awareness, support and a safety net to provide vulnerable youth and families access to high-quality programming.

August 8, 2022 - SCV News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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