Community / Economic Development

Renewed Efforts to Redevelop Houston's Historic Astrodome
A nonprofit hopes to create a viable plan for the iconic stadium—and find a way to pay for it.

Philadelphia Accelerator Fund Will Finance Black and Brown-Led Affordable Housing
The fund seeks to level the playing field by making it easier for Black and brown developers to gain access to capital.

The High Cost of Adapting Commuter Rail for the Post-COVID Future
U.S. commuter rail systems, primarily designed to bring workers to and from central business districts, must adapt to serve a broader population as the traditional workday changes.

San Diego Residents Challenge the City's ADU Regulations
Residents in some of the city's single-family neighborhoods worry about the potential impacts of ADU construction on local character and parking.

A Daring 50-Year Vision for the San Francisco Bay Area
The SPUR Regional Strategy sets a new standard for planning advocacy, not only for the depth and breadth of its vision, but for its skill in execution.

The Future of Central Business Districts
Urbanist Richard Florida assesses post-pandemic possibilities for neighborhoods that once relied on 9-to-5 workers.

COVID Vaccines Are Already Changing Cities
Here are just a few ways urban environments are transforming and reinventing themselves in the wake of the coronavirus.

Car-Free Streets Benefit Restaurants, Yelp Survey Shows
Restaurants in areas designated as "slow streets" during the pandemic saw a boost in consumer interest.

A Microfarm Grows in an L.A. Front Yard
The founder of Asante Microfarm hopes his farm will serve as a model for bringing fresh produce to underserved communities.

Approaching Land Use and Transportation as Interconnected Issues
One researcher argues that the division between transportation and land use policymaking at the federal level has harmed communities of color and encouraged unchecked sprawl.

Zoning Incentives for Supermarkets: New York Expands its FRESH Program
The FRESH program, previously offering zoning incentives for grocery store development in 19 districts around New York City, will expand to 11 new locations.

Opinion: Freeze Property Taxes in Gentrifying Neighborhoods
A proposed bill in the Texas legislature would help prevent displacement of homeowners in areas experiencing reinvestment and redevelopment.

Report Breaks Down Pandemic Rent Burdens by State and Metro Area
The share of U.S. households facing rent debt is decreasing as the economy begins to recover from the pandemic, but rent debt is still concentrated by geography and demographics around the country.

L.A. Could Consider Parks for Sanctioned Camping Locations for People Experiencing Homelessness
L.A. residents are demanding solutions for the city's growing number of people experiencing homelessness, but they don't tend to like those solutions when they include allowing people experiencing homelessness to stay in the neighborhood.

Teen-Led BART Campaign Brings Attention to Sexual Harassment on Transit
The Not One More Girl initiative seeks to implement tangible changes to improve the safety of young people on public transit.

New Book Examines Public Housing as a Locus of Political Power
A new book, "Diverging Space for Deviants," connects public housing with political power.

The Numerous Obstacles—Past and Present—Facing Black Homeowners
Black Americans pay a higher price to be homeowners—and the number of those who can afford to pay that price is dropping quickly.

Tucson's Pledge to Plant 1 Million Trees
Details and background of Tucson's pledge to plant one million trees by 2030.

As Home Prices Rise, So Does the Number of Renters
The intense competition in today's housing market means more people might have to settle for rental housing.

Caltrans Chief Wants an 'Absolute Pause' on 710 Freeway Expansion
Communities along the corridor have fought expansion for decades, citing air quality and displacement concerns. Now, the agency says it's time to rethink the project.
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