Community / Economic Development

The Growing Cultural War In New Orleans

Urban design efforts in New Orleans run 'headlong into the politics of race, class, and power'. Will the new New Orleans be a smaller, wealthier, and less diverse place?

February 21, 2006 - U.S. News & World Report

Toronto's Waterfront Revitalization Gaining Momentum

It might have required a jolt from an audit of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation, but there is increasing evidence that plans to spruce up the area are working.

February 21, 2006 - The Toronto Star

Race At The Mall

Brooklyn's Fulton Street Mall is a shadow of its former self. How will it attract a 'new clientele' without focusing solely on whites, and the possibility of gentrification?

February 18, 2006 - The New York Observer

Last Of Los Angeles' Movie Palaces

Even with a downtown revival, Los Angeles cannot attract amenities such as movie theatres.

February 17, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Historic Theater To Be Reborn As Asian American Center

Downtown Los Angeles's urban development gets a boost with a new theatre, as movies, live performances, cultural events, and even Karaoke are planned for the center, developed in partnership with ImaginAsian Entertainment.

February 17, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

New York's First Suburbs

The New York Times focuses on the New York metro area; the region will seek federal legislation to assist these declining suburban communities.

February 17, 2006 - The New York Times

Clinton, Katz Comment On 'First Suburb' Report

The nation's older, inner-ring 'first suburbs' are often bypassed by policies that direct government assistance elsewhere, as discussed by Senator Hillary Clinton and Bruce Katz of the Brookings Institution.

February 16, 2006 - CNN

One-Fifth Of The Nation: America's First Suburbs

Neither fully urban nor completely suburban, America's older, inner-ring, 'first' suburbs have a set of challenges very different from those of the center city and fast growing newer places, according to a new Brookings Institution report.

February 16, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

'McMansions' Center Of Debate

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has called for a sweeping update of the city's zoning ordinance in the face of the 'McMansionization' of some of the city's intown neighborhoods.

February 16, 2006 - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Funding Non-Profits Through BIDs

In Philadelphia, small non-profits can force payment from area businesses and owners through Business Improvement District regulations.

February 15, 2006 - Philadelphia City Paper

San Antonio's Economic Pillar: The Military

What does the newest base closing order mean for San Antonio? The Alamo City is nervous about losing more of its military installations.

February 14, 2006 - Planning Magazine

Lessons From Stadium Planning

Expert sports economist Mark Rosentraub analyzes lessons learned from D.C.'s recent stadium deal.

February 13, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Can A Sports Team Define A City?

Pittsburgh lives and dies with the Steelers. Good thing they won.

February 12, 2006 - International Herald Tribune

The Latest Olympic Urban Renewal Project

How will Torino capitalize on the international attention to revive its fading industrial economy?

February 12, 2006 - International Herald Tribune

A Wal-Mart Grows in Wyoming

I don't know how long my family's printing company can survive, since Wal-Mart moved into my town and displaced most of the local businesses, writes Kat Smyth.

February 11, 2006 - Campus Progress via Alternet

The Champion Of Wal-Mart

Michael Mills is not what you might expect out of Wal-Mart's southern spokesman.

February 10, 2006 - Creative Loafing Atlanta

An Inner-City Island

New Jersey's Newark Museum is world class, but middle-class fear and suburban sprawl have left it underused.

February 10, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Reforming Philadelphia's Residential Tax Abatement

While the abatement can be a 'wealth magnet' for the city by generating market value from tax-free properties, the real benefit may be limited to the developers who cash in.

February 10, 2006 - The Philadelphia Daily News

Inland Southern California Leads State In Growth

Riverside and San Bernardino counties continue to attract jobs and residents, some fleeing from the costlier, more congested areas of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.

February 9, 2006 - Riverside Press-Enterprise

The More Eminent Domain, The Better

In Des Moines, eminent domain was a critical tool used to revitalize downtown, and the Kelo decision has put 'that ability under a cloud'.

February 8, 2006 - Des Moines Register

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.