Community / Economic Development

Redefining The New Urbanism In The Context Of Katrina

Author Matt Dellinger examines the work of the New Urbanists in Mississippi and Louisiana, and whether or not New Urbanism has reached the tipping point in terms of wider acceptance.

May 24, 2006 - Oxford American

The New Urbanists' Losing Battle For Biloxi

The New York Times Magazine critiques the efforts of New Urbanists to redesign Biloxi, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina, referring to the group as "faintly cultish".

May 24, 2006 - The New York Times

Comparing Growth In China And India

The Financial Times presents an interesting comparative analysis of growth policies and past trends in China and India and comments on their future impacts.

May 23, 2006 - The Financial Times

Ethanol Plant Restores Hope To Depressed Upstate New York Town

Can an ethanol plant restore economic vitality to a depressed, upstate New York farming and former railroad community? That is the hope for the state's first ethanol plant, which breaks ground next month.

May 21, 2006 - The New York Times

A Tale Of Two University Campus Edges

How can two major universities improve themselves and their surroundings? The University of Cincinnati and UC-Berkeley have some productive plans.

May 20, 2006 - Cincinnati Enquirer, San Francisco Chronicle

'Edge of the Abyss': Review of Mike Davis' 'Planet of Slums'

This week's bloody shootout in Sao Paulo between gangs and the police is a sign of the coming global "urban hell" as described in Mike Davis' new book, "Planet of Slums".

May 20, 2006 - Asia Times

Neal Peirce: Illegal Immigration And Economic Potential

Neal Peirce looks at opportunities for economic growth and jobs in the new cross-border culture.

May 19, 2006 - The Washington Post Writers Group

From The Illinois River To The River Nile

A new development at the confluence of the River Nile has brought an Illinois planner back to her native country of Sudan.

May 19, 2006 - ILAPA News BLAST!

Do Industrial Development Agencies Work?

Only a third of the projects supported by six Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) around New York met their job creation goals, according to a report by the state comptroller's office. Is this another nail

May 18, 2006 - Office of the New York State Comptroller

Neighborhood Covenants Can Legally Prevent McMansions

A neighborhood homeowner's association in Denver rejected a proposal for an out-of-scale home redevelopment, and the decision was upheld by a District Court judge.

May 18, 2006 - Denver Business Journal

Does Wal-Mart Increase Poverty Rates?

A new study claims that Wal-Mart raises poverty rates in the counties where its stores are located.

May 17, 2006 - Social Science Quarterly

The Decline And Fall Of Landover Mall - Who's To Blame?

The Landover Mall, located next to a Capital Beltway interchange in Prince George's County, Maryland, and owned by Lerner Enterprises (a firm that has managed many successful mall centers, including Tysons Corner) has long been considered a blight.

May 17, 2006 - The Washington Post

New York City To Add Wi-Fi To Parks

In order to compete with other technologically advanced cities, New York City will add free wireless internet service by July, with other large City parks to receive the technology soon thereafter.

May 17, 2006 - The New York Times

Baseball Inside the Beltway

If Washington, D.C. gets a new stadium, what will the city lose?

May 16, 2006 - Chris Steins

The Urban Renaissance Does Not Exist

Joel Kotkin reviews a variety of data showing that despite optimism by "urban boosters", America's central cities are not experiencing a rebirth. The real renaissance, says Kotkin, is in the suburbs.

May 16, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Joel Kotkin: The New Boomtowns

After the hip cities of the dot-com era, and the low-cost ones that attracted businesses following the dot-com bubble, come the next wave of boomtowns. Joel Kotkin identifies what makes these cities flourish.

May 15, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

Kolkata's Comeback

Free enterprise and investment in infrastructure are turning Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, from a "dying city" to a "boomtown".

May 14, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Wal-Mart Begins Remaking Its Image

Wal-Mart supports a pro-Wal-Mart advocacy group, Working Families for Wal-Mart, which trys to improve Wal-Mart's image. The members may also speak in favor of Wal-Mart at hearings.

May 14, 2006 - The New York Times

A Sustainable New Orleans Is Possible

Good planning can rebuild a sustainable New Orleans but politics is moving in the other direction observes Neal Peirce.

May 14, 2006 - The Washington Post Writers Group

Riviera Beach Races State Law To Redevelop With Eminent Domain

The City Council of Riviera Beach, Florida, in an effort to outmaneuver the Florida Legislature, approved an agreement with a developer enabling a $2.4 billion waterfront redevelopment project that relies on eminent domain.

May 12, 2006 - Palm Beach Post

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.