Community / Economic Development

How Jane Jacobs Challenged 'Olympian' Planners

Jane Jacobs had no college degree in architecture or urban planning. How did she defiantly challenge influential figures such as urban-renewal "czar" Robert Moses?

April 28, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Jane Jacobs' Blocks

Her focus on the literal building blocks of cities inspired countless leaders in the field, many of whom are mentioned here.

April 28, 2006 - The New York Times

Jane Jacobs' Legacies

Urban historian Christopher Klemek discusses the significance of Jane Jacobs' writings and activism.

April 28, 2006 - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Jane Jacobs: Urban Theorist and Community Activist

Renowned urban theorist Jane Jacobs was also an energetic community activist. (Includes links to obituaries published by several news sources.)

April 27, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Best Places To Retire Near Cities

Charles Longino, a professor of gerontology, identifies the best retiree locales that are close to major metropolitan areas by using FBI and U.S. Justice Department crime statistics and housing costs.

April 26, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Learning From Waterloo

In the face of large-scale manufacturing job losses, Ontario's Kitchener-Waterloo region still manages to lead the nation in economic development and innovation.

April 26, 2006 - The Globe and Mail

Remembering Jane Jacobs

April 25, 2006 - David Gest

A New Metric Model for Economic Development?

A study of the Northeast Ohio economy provides a different way of analyzing and tracking the impact of economic development initiatives by mathematically analyzing economic data and determining there are eight key factors of regional economic growth.

April 25, 2006 - The Fund for Our Economic Future

Designing A Socially Just Downtown

A grassroots coalition in Oakland used its organizing and design skills to produce a housing proposal the city couldn't refuse, despite the mayor's stiff opposition.

April 25, 2006 - Shelterforce Magazine

We Are The NIMBYs

Why is a Denver neighborhood organization so eager to spread the word about a locally unwanted land use?

April 25, 2006 - Denver Westword

What Is The New Suburbanism?

Joel Kotkin, author of the November 2005 report "The New Suburbanism", introduces the new planning theory, clarifies what it means, and describes how it remains very much a work in progress.

April 24, 2006 - Joel Kotkin

What Bush Can Learn From California's Energy Strategy

California energy strategy is to create an economy that is less oil-dependent and one that will use technology to attract jobs to the state.

April 24, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Large-scale Urban Interventions: The Case of Faria Lima in Sao Paulo

Large-scale urban redevelopment projects raise many questions about the impacts of subsequent development. They often use new fiscal or regulatory instruments, and affect land prices and infrastructure.

April 22, 2006 - Land Lines, Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy

Seattle Viaduct Project Could Define City Development

The controversial highway redevelopment isn't as massive as Boston's Big Dig, but it represents equally weighty issues for the future of the city.

April 22, 2006 - Seattle Weekly

New Urbanists Focus On Gentilly, Louisiana

Andres Duany leads a rebuilding team that considers the town a microcosm of New Orleans.

April 22, 2006 - New Orleans Times-Picayune

Reclaiming Dike 14

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources owns some property on Cleveland's rocky Lake Erie coastline. Now a rare layover for migratory birds, polluted Dike 14 has the potential to become a model park for the city.

April 22, 2006 - Ohio Free Times

California's Central Valley Farmland At The Tipping Point?

Most of the counties and major cities in California's Central Valley are failing to make significant progress at preserving farmland in the nation's most important agricultural region, according to this new study from the American Farmland Trust.

April 21, 2006 - American Farmland Trust

Balancing Affordability, Preservation, And Gentrification In Atlanta

Briarcliff Summit, built in 1925, has 200 units that are falling apart. Are the owners taking advantage of federal housing subsidies? Should the building be restored? If so, how will residents be impacted?

April 21, 2006 - Creative Loafing Atlanta

Does The 'Broken Windows' Theory Really Work?

Law professor Bernard E. Harcourt argues that the "broken windows" theory has be en proven not to be an effective crime-fighting technique. But LA Police Chief William J. Bratton, who has built his career on the theory, will not be easily convinced.

April 20, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Gary, Indiana, Turns 100 And Hopes For Better Times

The city founded in 1906 to house U.S. Steel workers hopes its next 100 years bring a return to past glory.

April 19, 2006 - USA Today

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.