Community / Economic Development
Town's Recreation Tourism Bid May Sacrifice Environment
The town of Ogden, Utah, hopes to beef up its economy by promoting itself as an outdoor recreation capital. But some in the community fear that the tourism campaign may further encourage exploitation of the area's decreasingly pristine environment.
Adult Business Moves Into Historic Building To Make Love Not War
The old San Francisco Armory, which has sat empty for more than three decades in city's Mission district, has found a new use, but local residents aren't exactly excited about this latest chapter of the neighborhood's gentrification.
Proposed Florida Panhandle Airport Causing Controversy
Supporters of the proposed $300 million Panama City-Bay County International Airport -- including the well-heeled St. Joe company -- talk of economic development. Opponents call the facility the "Airport to Nowhere."
Dracula's Castle For Sale
The family in Bucharest, Romania that owns Bran Castle -- famous for its connection to the 15th century medieval ruler who inspired "Dracula" -- plans to sell the fortress to local authorities for $78 million.
Vancouver's 'Living First' Policy Has Put Business Last
While Vancouver's downtown residential population has exploded, the housing boom has crowded out commercial office space, to the detriment of the city's economy.
Rural Georgia Town Highlights Complexities Of Illegal Immigration Issue
After a federal raid cost a chicken processing plant in Stillmore, Georgia, 75 percent of its mostly Hispanic 900-member work force, company officials hired locals -- mostly African-American -- to take their place. Then things got interesting.
Chain Stores Invade New York, Not San Francisco
Chain stores have invaded Manhattan and now look to open in other New York City neighborhoods. Meanwhile, San Francisco's planning commission has the power to reject chain retail and restaurants. And they have been using that power.
Developer Demands Doubling Height For Supermarket Deal
East Palo Alto may be one of the few U.S cities of 30,000 residents lacking a supermarket. Now this 23-year-old city is close to getting one on a 6-acre vacant lot, but increased land costs forced the new developer to renegotiate the prior plan.
Can Google Change One Small Town's Fortunes?
State and local officials are offering $100 million dollars in tax breaks to the Internet company should it locate a new facility in Lenoir, North Carolina. Yet some wonder if the generosity will pay off for the town.
A New Plaza For Downtown Raleigh
The central location and the expanse of space to facilitate a variety of different uses are getting people excited about the newly proposed City Plaza in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, despite the fact that it will cut through a well-used street.
On Farmers' Markets And Public Space
In many urban areas, farmers' markets provide both a connection to nature and a sense of community.
New Vision For D.C. Avenue Down On Its Luck
A wave of new development has finally come to gritty Georgia Avenue, and though many are pleased with the sorely needed investment, gentrification worries abound.
New San Francisco Light Rail Line Opens
San Francisco's new light rail line, the 5-mile T-Third, opened for free, weekend service Jan 13. The service is intended to revitalize the sagging south-east neighborhoods, but some bus riders question the new line. Daily service begins April 7.
Sprawl's Economic Effect On Agriculture In South
As new developments consume agricultural lands in the fast-growing South, the cooperatives that cater to farmers feel the pinch. While some can 'retool' by selling pet food and lawn fertilizer, others must close as another casualty to sprawl.
Struggling U.S. Malls Mix It Up As Asia Booms
While they flourish in Asia, huge shopping malls are losing their popularity in the U.S. to big box retailers. One way developers are reacting is by recreating the formerly all-commercial shopping experience to include a mix of uses.
Homelessness On The Rise In Hawaii
Hawaii's housing boom and other factors like high rents and a shortage of developable land mean that housing is often out of reach for the state's working poor. As a result, Hawaii has one of the nation's largest homeless populations.
Homestead Preservation District Could Soften The Blow Of Gentrification
With its downtown booming, Austin, Texas is trying to help homeowners who are feeling the squeeze from rising property values -- by buying their land.
Planning Report Interviews Ed Blakely About New Orleans Recovery
Noted L.A.-area scholar Ed Blakely helped Oakland and L.A. rebound from earthquakes; now he's turning to the resurrection of New Orleans. The Planinng Report features an interview.
Dublin Planner Has Big Plans For Irish Capital
City Planner Dick Gleeson has his sights set high for the city of Dublin, Ireland, proposing a remodeling of the city by 2016. His plans include everything from increased open space and bike paths to continued economic development to curb sprawl.
Public Space And The Urban Library Renaissance
With plush furniture, coffee shops, rock concerts and meeting spaces, public libraries are reinventing themselves as the city's primary public place.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
