Community / Economic Development
Who's Rebuilding New Orleans?
The reconstruction of New Orleans is also reconfiguring the city's demographics.
Uruguay: Latin America's New Outsourcing Capital
With a population of only three million, Uruguay has rapidly become Latin America's outsourcing hub. In partnership with one of India's largest technology consulting firms, engineers in Montevideo work while their counterparts in Mumbai sleep.
Promoting Green 'Rebuilding' In New Orleans
The winning of a housing design competition sponsored by actor Brad Pitt end environmental non-profit Global Green USA demonstrates how eco-friendly architecture can remake New Orleans.
Detroit's Lafayette Park: An Urban Renewal Success Story
Designed in the 1960s as part of a wave of largely unsuccessful urban renewal projects across the U.S., this continuously thriving mixed-income and racially integrated community just east of downtown Detroit stands as a model of good urban design.
A Major Setback For Atlanta's Beltline Project
Atlanta's proposed transit and recreation loop using largely abandoned rail lines as a spur to economic development was dealt a damaging blow as a suburban developer backed out of plans to build condo towers along the line.
Henry Cisneros Leading The Creation Of Workforce Housing
Despite a scandal-plagued post-Clinton-Cabinet professional career, Henry Cisneros has emerged as one of the nation's top affordable-housing developers. Now, "traditional" development companies are also edging into the market.
Friday Funny: Celebrating New Orleans' Recovery
An animation by Mark Fiore reviews the New Orleans rebuilding effort.
Creating A Spirit Of Place
During its short history, the University of New Mexico at Taos has developed a campus spirit that reflects and complements its surrounding community and environment.
The Wal-Mart Battle In Southern California
A Wal-Mart supercenter celebrates its opening in Rosemead, while the city of Long Beach joins a growing list of cities that have adopted measures making it harder for mega-stores to open.
It's The Middle Class, Not The Creative Class
Joel Kotkin argues that cities need to win back the middle class by focusing on their basic needs -- affordable 'market-rate' housing, schools, and public infrastructure -- if they are to be genuinely successful at urban revitalization.
Are We In The Midst Of A Downtown Comeback?
The heyday of the American downtown was short -- from 1880-1920, so if we are experiencing a downtown 'comeback', exactly what are we coming back from? Guest blogger Michael Manville examines the what, how and why of downtown revitalization.
Waiting For Recovery, Eager To Plan
More than half of the residents in the small unincorporated community of Henderson Point, Mississippi, turned out to help begin planning for the rebuilding of their completely devastated community.
Bio-Diesel As A Rural Development Strategy
Having become the world leader in ethanol production, Brazil turns to bio-diesel, with a policy that is intended to benefit small, family farms so as to keep them on their land, and benefit President Luiz da Silva in his reelection bid.
After 50 Years, Waterfront May Be Redeveloped
With a population cut in half and an almost abandoned waterfront area, the city of Buffalo is thinking redevelopment. Actually, the city has spent nearly 50 years thinking redevelopment. Now steps are actually being taken to improve the waterfront.
Report Shows UK Land Levy Ineffectual
A proposed land levy in the UK that is intended to raise funding for local governments has been shown in recent reports to fail to increase the amount of money trickling down to local municipalities.
Anti-Sprawl Law Revised To Encourage Sprawl
Revision to a Maryland state homebuying assistance program is catching some resistance from smart growth advocates as changed language seems to go against the original anti-sprawl intent.
The Rebirth of Rivers
Impressed by the successful 'rebirth' of rivers like the Clyde, cities are scrutinizing waterfront redevelopment projects and adding rivers to their civic portfolios.
How Bad Leadership Spoils Good Planning
In many ways, a successful urban planner is first and foremost a leader, yet far too many professionals lack the ability to lead, and ignore the importance of cultivating good leadership skills.
Toronto Could Learn From Stockholm's Success
Toronto has been planning on redeveloping its waterfront for years, but the process is slow-moving. Across the world, a similar physical layout in Stockholm is boasting quick planning and successful implementation.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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
