Community / Economic Development

‘Universal Basic Mobility’ Pilot Launches in Los Angeles
A new program will bring electric car sharing, an e-bike library, on-demand shuttles, and other services to South Los Angeles in an effort to give residents more transportation options.

The Problem With Public Input
The current community input process often amplifies the voices of already powerful groups who act to stop valuable projects for their own benefit.

Withholding Energy as a Weapon
As Russia intensifies its offensive in Ukraine, energy security has become a matter of urgency for Poland and Bulgaria after Russia announced they will suspend the flow of natural gas through its pipelines to these two NATO and EU members.

How Urban Design Can Promote Social Equity
More inclusive urban design can help more people access social services and public amenities.

A Somber Earth Day Finding
Polling from CBS News/YouGuv shows an inverse relationship between the economy and the environment. A year ago, 56% of respondents rated climate change as an urgent issue. Today's Earth Day finding shows it at 49% as doubts grow about the economy.

Hooked on Russian Gas
The EU relies on Russia for 45% of its natural gas imports and 27% of its crude oil imports. Germany's dependency is a major reason why it won't ban these imports despite Russia's war in Ukraine. Two natural gas pipelines explain part of the problem.

Free Transit for San Diego Youth
The Youth Opportunity Pass program provides free transit to San Diego County youth in an effort to boost ridership and improve transportation options for young residents.

The Pandemic Has Not Been Kind to Pedestrian Skyways in the Twin Cities
Already a source of eternal controversy for their effects on street life and local business, pedestrian skyways have proven even more problematic during the pandemic.

Cleveland Mayor Wants a 15-Minute City
The mayor of Cleveland expressed the goal to become the first “15-minute city” in America at his State of the City speech. Experts say it’s possible.

Prince George’s County To Receive $2.5 Billion in State Funds
The Maryland county celebrated its largest-ever state aid package, which will help the county repair infrastructure, build new development, and bring FBI headquarters to the area.

Biden Administration Targets Rural Infrastructure Investments
The federal government is directing billions from the infrastructure package to areas outside of major cities.

The New Breed of Super Commuters
After two years of remote work, many workers reluctant to return to the office are compromising with less frequent, longer ‘super commutes.’

Community Land Trusts Fight for Neighborhood Affordability
The increasingly popular community-oriented mechanism makes neighbors into property owners and preserves affordable housing in perpetuity.

Austin Now Taking Applications for its ‘Right to Return’ to Gentrifying Neighborhoods
The Texas state capital’s “right to return” law was delayed by the pandemic, but Austin is now taking applications for longtime low-income residents to find housing in gentrifying neighborhoods.

Census Releases New Interactive Dashboard to Identify Underserved Communities
The new "My Community Explorer" interactive dashboard is intended to help drive data-based solutions to inequality in and between communities.

How Japanese Cities Enable Toddlers To Roam Independently
A TV show featuring young Japanese children going on errands on their own highlights the differences between Japanese and American urban design that enable even toddlers to safely navigate big cities.

River Scenes: How Rivers Contribute to More Vibrant Urban Communities
The role of rivers in urban areas shifted in recent years from production to consumption. Now, access to a river's waterfront has become a highly valued amenity within cities.

Maryland Proposes $400 Million Redevelopment Around Commanders Stadium
The state is offering to make a massive investment in revitalizing the neighborhood surrounding FedEx Field, but offering no direct incentives to the NFL team.

Resilience Planning for Suburban Growth
Whether or not the suburban shift accelerated by the pandemic continues, policymakers can implement climate resilience strategies and guide sustainable growth in both cities and exurbs.

European Union Takes Initial Step to Ban Russian Energy Imports
After a second day of talks in Brussels, ambassadors to the European Union agreed to ban coal imports from Russia as evidence of widescale atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine surfaced after their withdrawal from the outskirts of Kyiv.
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