Community / Economic Development

Austin Permitting System Goes Online

Developers, neighborhood leaders and all interested parties will be able to track project approvals at every stage of the process.

March 3, 2007 - Austin American-Statesman

Creating A Chinatown Without Chinese

With South Korea's historic apprehension towards China, efforts at resurrecting or creating new Chinatowns in Incheon and other cities have been so far been lacking one key ingredient -- Chinese residents.

March 2, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

Proposed Improvements To Boston's Pedestrian Shopping Center

Plans have been proposed to expand downtown Boston's pedestrian-only shopping district with the hopes of improving the area's economic viability. Despite high pedestrian traffic, the shopping center has not been as successful as others in the city.

March 1, 2007 - The Boston Globe

Best Cities For CleanTech Businesses

The latest benchmark from SustainLane tracks which American cities are the best incubators for clean technology companies.

February 28, 2007 - SustainLane

Massachusetts Historic Mill Cities Struggle For Job Growth

A new report highlights the struggles of historic mill cities in Massachusetts as they lose thousands of jobs and strain to attract high-tech industries.

February 27, 2007 - The Boston Globe

Transforming Kandahar

Despite ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, Kandahar's officials, residents and planners are envisioning a prosperous and sustainable future for the city.

February 27, 2007 - The Globe and Mail

Orlando Unmasked

Walt Disney's utopian dream forever changed Orlando, Florida, and laid the blueprint for the new American metropolis.

February 26, 2007 - National Geographic

Kibbutz Leans Away From Socialist Roots

Israel's oldest kibbutz -- a communal living settlement founded on socialist principles -- has approved a vote allowing community members to retain private salaries instead of pooling their income for the entire community.

February 22, 2007 - BBC

A Street For Detroiters

In an effort to build community, Jerry Belanger has quietly redeveloped two bars along Detroit's burgeoning Park Street bar district.

February 22, 2007 - Model D

Small Town New Jersey Looks At Big Redevelopment Project

The small New Jersey city of Harrison is considering a massive redevelopment project that could drastically change the character of the city. Some residents worry that the $1 billion redevelopment plan is too ambitious for the small town.

February 22, 2007 - The New York Times

The Battle Over 'Billyburg'

The Willamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, is the setting for the latest iteration in the modern day gentrification saga.

February 22, 2007 - The Washington Post

D.C.'s Convention Center Falls Short Of Booming Predictions

In Washington, D.C., a publicly-financed convention center that was promoted four years ago by local officials as a shot in the arm for the city's economy has turned out to be less than successful. But the city has a plan to revive the dream.

February 21, 2007 - The Washington Post

War Fatalities Hurt Small Town America

Small towns and rural areas hit by economic downturns have seen many of their young people enlist for lack of other opportunities -- and as a result they represent almost half of U.S. war fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

February 21, 2007 - Associated Press

Should Economic Development Efforts Be Place-Based or People-Based?

Randall Crane offers an introduction to the research literature around place-based versus people-based policies for economic development as he begins his research into systematic comparative assessments of the two policies.

February 20, 2007 - Randall Crane's Blog, Urban Planning Research

There's Still Hope For Upstate New York

While the national and local perception of the region is bleak, with the right strategy and mindset, Upstate New York could revive its economy.

February 20, 2007 - Post-Standard

Creating An African American Cultural Center In West Oakland

This report from NPR looks at a neighborhood activist who's leading a movement to revitalize a rundown West Oakland neighborhood into a black cultural district.

February 18, 2007 - NPR

Harlem Refi Hits New High

A staggering $360 million refinance of a gritty 1,800-unit complex from the 1950's is another indicator that high profits can be found in long-overlooked inner-city neighborhoods.

February 16, 2007 - The Slatin Report

Land Grabs In India Spur Criticism

The Communist government in West Bengal, India, has seized the land of thousands of farmer to make room for a car factory. Many criticize the government's emphasis on industrialization.

February 16, 2007 - BBC

One Billion Dollar Plan Unveiled For Atlanta's Signature Street

The ambitious plan proposes to transform Peachtree Street with new streetcars, parks and other amenities. But skeptics wonder if such a massive overhaul is feasible -- or even necessary.

February 15, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Romanian County Seeks Stake In Dracula's Castle

A county in Central Romania has expressed interest in purchasing the castle used by the 15th Century medieval ruler who inspired the tale of "Dracula" -- seeing the castle as an opportunity to increase tourism in the Eastern European country.

February 15, 2007 - Bloomberg via Business Day

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.