Community / Economic Development

A Black LIves Matter Protest, with a protestor holding up a sign that reads "Open Your Eyes: Systemic Racism Is Real"

Planning Directors Commit to Change on Racial Inequities

Planning directors around the country have acknowledged the historic role of the planning profession in furthering the causes of racial discrimination and have publicly committed to change that history.

October 13, 2021 - Next City

Barton Springs Greenway, Central Texas

Central Texas Town Approves New Trail Network

Kyle trail master plan will tie into a 100-mile Central Texas network connecting greenways in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone.

October 12, 2021 - KXAN Austin News

Virginia

Opinion: To Increase Equity, Make Buses Free

With buses as a dominant transport mode for low-income households and "essential workers," free fares would increase access to economic opportunities and free up limited income for cash-strapped commuters.

October 12, 2021 - NextCity

Apartment for Rent

U.S. Rents Spiking As More Renters Enter the Market

All of the nation's largest metro areas are experiencing sharp growth in costs and demand for rental housing, posing even more challenges for low-income renters.

October 11, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Cash

Guaranteed Income Program Launched in Arlington, Virginia

The 18-month pilot program will provide $500 to 200 low-income families in the county.

October 8, 2021 - WTOP

Dokken is a western part of the Port of Bergen (Norway). At Dokken is the large, white Port Warehouse, in which a small brown/black building (in the center of this image) is the WWII German anti-aircraft artillery bunker (RK-ID 212746).

Norwegian City Plans for Zero-Emissions Neighborhood

As it winds down port operations in the area, Bergen plans to transform its Dokken district from a busy shipping hub to a car-free, 'regenerative' zone.

October 8, 2021 - Fast Company

14th Street Traffic

D.C. Inspector General: District 'Misspent' $82 Million in Affordable Housing Funds in 2020

A new report accuses the District of misusing funds and failing to properly monitor projects aimed at creating housing for 'extremely low-income' households.

October 7, 2021 - The Washington Post

Electric Vehicle Charging

Five Midwest States to Develop EV Charging Network

The governors hope the agreement will create jobs, reduce emissions, and encourage more widespread adoption of electric vehicles in their states.

October 7, 2021 - NPR

Stahl House Los Angeles

Million-Dollar Homes Becoming Standard Fare Across Los Angeles

As households with means seek to escape crowded apartment buildings and take advantage of historically low mortgage rates, average home prices of over $1 million are proliferating across the LA region.

October 6, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

Open Streets

The Role of Play in Public Space Design

'Playable' public spaces can be a powerful tool for creating vibrant, communal, and equitable cities.

October 5, 2021 - StreetsBlog NYC

California Wildfire

California Bans Insurance Companies From Dropping Homeowners in Wildfire Zones

The one-year moratorium is a stopgap measure to assist homeowners affected by recent wildfires as the state assesses ways of addressing the root causes of increasingly damaging natural disasters.

October 3, 2021 - Sacramento Bee

Dollar Store

Retail Openings Outpace Closures in 2021

An estimated 20 percent of the stores to open so far in 2021 are Dollar Generals.

October 3, 2021 - Retail Dive

California Houses

Eliminating Single-Family Zoning Alone Won't Solve California's Housing Crisis

While zoning reforms can help reduce barriers to building more housing, high construction costs and local opposition mean that the state won't see an immediate boom in density.

October 1, 2021 - Slate

New Orleans Freeway

Outdated State and Federal Road Design Rules Hinder Freeway Removal

Although some cities are in favor of removing or reducing urban freeways in favor of more walkable spaces, guidelines like the 11-year-old MUTCD still encourage a 'throughput at all costs' mentality.

October 1, 2021 - Governing

People gather on a street with no cars during the L.E.A.F. Festival of Flowers in the Meatpacking District of New York City.

Don't Call it a Comeback: Big Cities Are Outlasting Predictions of Demise

As the new world order of working from home and vaccine hesitancy settles in, it's time to reevaluate assumptions from early in the pandemic about the effect of the public health on the economic health of large cities.

October 1, 2021 - Business Insider

An image of the book "A Promised Land," by Barack Obama shows a black and white photo of the former president smiling.

Obama Presidential Center Breaks Ground on Chicago's South Side

Years of controversy and delay were in the rearview this week when the Obamas joined the governor of Illinois and the mayor of Chicago to break ground on the Obama Presidential Center .

September 30, 2021 - The New York Times

Seattle, Washington

A State-by-State Wish List for Federal Infrastructure Funding

States have a laundry list of major projects they'd like to see funded if the trillion-dollar infrastructure package passes.

September 29, 2021 - New York Times

Washington D.C.

D.C. Considers Centering Equity in Transportation and Land Use Planning Decisions

A plan to prioritize equity would, according to regional planners, increase access to jobs and resources, reduce emissions, and improve public health.

September 29, 2021 - The Washington Post

Harvey Floods Houston

NPR: HUD Sells Flood-Prone Homes Without Disclosing Risks

The troubling trend is particularly pronounced in lower-income communities, where experts worry households are being inadvertently set up for big financial losses.

September 28, 2021 - NPR

2020 Census

Census Delays Release of 2020 American Community Survey Data

Due to the challenges faced by data collectors during the pandemic, the Census Bureau will not be releasing 2020 ACS data in September as usual.

September 27, 2021 - PRB

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.