Community / Economic Development

Urban Renewal Plan Translates To Job Loss And Gentrification

This editorial from the Orange County Register bemoans the urban renewal process proposed in a new specific plan for the city of Santa Ana that some say will gentrify the city's downtown and eliminate many industrial jobs.

December 28, 2007 - Orange County Register

How Temporary Uses Can Revitalize Neighborhoods

Temporary, interim, or intermittent uses are part of a growing trend, evident both in Europe and the U.S., that creatively responds to new planning needs.

December 28, 2007 - Planning Magazine

Shopping Malls Are Dead -- Long Live Lifestyle Centers

The Economist offers a fascinating review of the evolution of the suburban shopping mall into the hot new "lifestyle center." The conclusion: "It was necessary to kill the American city centre before bringing it back to life."

December 26, 2007 - The Economist

A New Approach To Economic Development Help For Entrepreneurs

Nearly every community talks about attracting more entrepreneurs. But aside from programs like SCORE, which assists entrepreneurs with business plans, and some efforts at growing venture-capital funds, most communities scratch their heads over how to

December 26, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Toy Libraries Critical To Childhood Development

Libraries for toys are popping up in developing countries all over the world, and especially in Africa, giving poor children a glimpse of a less troubled childhood. Many say the simple libraries are making big changes in the children's development.

December 21, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

Miami On The Verge Of Major Downtown Makeover

County officials are moving forward with four mega-projects designed to improve downtown Miami. Critics wonder if they will really benefit the taxpayer.

December 21, 2007 - The Miami Herald

Town On The Farm

The massive farm bill making its way through Congress will only perpetuate social and environmental sustainability. What's also needed is legislation to boost the urban economics of local food production, writes Christopher Cook.

December 21, 2007 - Common Dreams

Sacramento's Big Opportunity Needs A Cautious Approach

Plans are moving forward to redevelop a massive railyard site near downtown Sacramento. It could be a major boon for the city, but as California Planning and Development Report's Paul Shigley writes, the city should moved ahead cautiously.

December 20, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalized For Renters, Owners and Retailers

The non-profit neighborhood housing group Hope Community has renovated ten houses, built 126 affordable rental units, and has two mixed income projects under way in one depressed and crime-ridden Minneapolis block.

December 19, 2007 - The New York Times

Traffic Problems Have Relocating Businesses Wary Of Atlanta

Atlanta's traffic problems are beginning to affect businesses' decisions to relocate there.

December 18, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tech Startups Rebuild Rural Areas

High-tech businesses and industries are popping up in more and more rural towns, bringing jobs and boosting the economies of these small areas.

December 18, 2007 - The Christian Science Monitor

The Rise of The 'Green Collar' Job

By creating "green collar" jobs, cities across the country are creating jobs and helping the environment.

December 18, 2007 - USA Today

Slowing The Development Process In New York

Daniel Doctoroff, deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding in New York, discusses the changing (and more deliberate) way the city now goes about pursuing development projects.

December 16, 2007 - The New York Observer

Are Jerusalem's Ghost Towns A Problem To Solve?

Jerusalem has an increasing number of "ghost town" neighborhoods, where tourist housing has left areas empty for much of the year. This article looks at the proposed solution to this problem, and wonders whether there is even a problem at all.

December 15, 2007 - The Jerusalem Post

Business Carbon Tax Proposed In San Francisco

A ballot measure aimed for November 2008 will ask San Francisco voters to raise the commercial utilities tax and lower the city's payroll tax in an effort to reduce energy usage, increase use of public transit, and increase recycling.

December 14, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Energizing Canada's Urban 'Magnets'

A new report ranking Canada's cities in terms of their ability to attract skilled workers finds that looming demographic challenges and infrastructure deficits will require urgent attention from higher levels of government.

December 13, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

The Most Important Year In New Orleans History

According to Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Louisiana's recovery has reached the tipping point, setting 2008 up as the year New Orleans will truly come back.

December 13, 2007 - WWL AM 870

The Marseille Model

As racial tensions erupt across France, the diverse city of Marseille has remained calm. Many look to it as a model for the future of an increasingly ethnically-mixed France and Europe.

December 12, 2007 - Smithsonian Magazine

The New Suburban Ghetto

High foreclosure rates are turning Charlotte's new starter home suburbs into bastions of crime and decay.

December 12, 2007 - The Charlotte Observer

Main Street Preservation Aims Harm Economy

This article from Reason looks at a regulatory system in Alexandria, Virginia, that seeks to maintain the city's historic Old Town neighborhood. But is the regulation burdening local businesses owners to the point of hurting the economy?

December 12, 2007 - Reason

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.