Community / Economic Development

Getting Smart Growth Without Gentrification

Planning activists in San Francisco are working to encourage infill development without neglecting social equity concerns.

April 3, 2007 - WorldChanging

When Eminent Domain Arrives In Your Junk Mail

Marcos M. Villatoro responds to receiving a "clumsy, ham-fisted" form letter from the Los Angeles Unified School District informing him that his house is one of the many to be taken to build a new elementary school.

April 2, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Immigrants Are 'Saving' U.S. Cities

While some cities are attempting to drive immigrants out, others are welcoming them with open arms. As a Wall Street Journal writer asserts, "All booming American cities are immigrant cities."

April 2, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

The Potential of Gentrifying Cities

Neal Peirce explores the capitalist and progressive potential of inner city housing in gentrifying cities.

April 1, 2007 - The Washington Post Writers Group

Wal-Mart Drops NYC Plans

The high level of opposition and the power of local labor unions have caused Wal-Mart to abandon plans to open stores in New York City.

March 31, 2007 - The New York Times

An English Plan In New York

One of London's top planners talks about the future of the European capital, as it prepares for a million new residents.

March 29, 2007 - Streetsblog

Does Homeownership Cause Unemployment?

New research highlights the connection between locations with high levels of homeownership and above average unemployment.

March 29, 2007 - Slate Magazine

Reining In Tax Breaks For Developers

In Kansas City, Missouri, voters just elected their former city auditor as their new mayor. One of the unlikely campaign issues: the use of tax increment financing for developers.

March 29, 2007 - The Kansas City Star

Encouraging Downtown Growth Through A Live-Work District

In an effort to bring a renaissance to its downtown, a city in Idaho has approved creation of a live-work district which encourages development of properties where people can both live and work. City officials are hoping to attract local business.

March 28, 2007 - The Idaho Statesman

Green-Collar Jobs Key to Nation's Economic & Ecological Health

Van Jones wants to make sure working-class and minority Americans can participate and benefit from a transition to a clean-energy economy.

March 27, 2007 - Grist

Mass Public Library Closures Hit Oregon

Medford Oregon's newly opened public library is about to close its doors -- but it is just one of 15 across the region suffering from a loss of federal subsidies.

March 26, 2007 - Voice Of America

The Future of Cities As Told In Belgrade

Bruce Sterling gives an insightful tour around the city of Belgrade and explores the transformation and pressures brought about by globalization.

March 25, 2007 - YouTube

Suburbs Battle Blight Left By Foreclosures

Attempting to ward off a panic in the real estate market, cities in Ohio, Georgia, Illinois, and elsewhere are tapping into their coffers to eradicate foreclosure-related blight.

March 24, 2007 - The New York Times

In Paris, the Birthplace of the Mall Attracts New Visitors

Built in 1820s and 1830s, the arcades in Paris were the first enclosed retail centers protecting shoppers from the elements as they browsed a variety of shops.

March 24, 2007 - The New York Times

The World's Best Enterprise Zone

Halliburton is moving its headquarters to Dubai. Could Dubai, with its world-class infrastructure and business-friendly environment, become the world's preferred destination for multinational corporations?

March 23, 2007 - Knowledge @ Wharton

Salt Lake City Downtown on the Rise

A new 40-year plan for downtown Salt Lake was unveiled by the City's Chamber of Commerce.

March 22, 2007 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Meet Me, For Dinner, In Downtown St. Louis

The city's efforts at urban renewal has sparked a wave of new downtown residents along sophisticated restaurants to feed them.

March 21, 2007 - The Boston Globe

Rezoning L.A.'s Industrial Bones

Developers want to transform downtown L.A.'s warehouses, factories, and grimy commercial buildings to accommodate live-work spaces. Planners and activists want to stay the course -- they say needed jobs are at stake.

March 21, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Cabrini Green's Dying Breath

Though only a few towers remain from Chicago's notorious Cabrini Green housing project, new and old problems persist.

March 20, 2007 - The New York Times

Superstar Cities

Big cities pack a punch equal to some national economies. The fraction of high-income families in superstar cities is 43 percent higher than in average cities, and those cities' share of poor families is 11 percent lower.

March 19, 2007 - National Bureau Of Economic Research

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.