Community / Economic Development

Mississippi State Capitol

Mississippi Governor First to Preempt Local Stay-at-Home Orders

As more governors order residents to stay at home and/or close nonessential businesses to contain the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Tate Reeves has gone the opposite direction by issuing an executive order that supersedes stricter local measures.

March 30, 2020 - Jackson Free Press

Coronavirus Social Distancing

More Details for Planners on the Federal Stimulus Package

As the U.S. House of representatives approved the passive stimulus package approved by the U.S. Senate earlier in the week, more details emerged about the parts of the bill that will be relevant to planners during the coming weeks and months.

March 29, 2020 - NPR

Millennium Bridge

Britain Shuts Down and India Locks Down to Contain COVID-19

In a major reversal, Prime Minister Boris Johnson dramatically strengthened his policies on containing the pandemic, ordering residents on Monday to stay at home and closing nonessential businesses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Inda went further.

March 26, 2020 - The New York Times

Donald Trump

White House Could End 'Slow the Spread' Coronavirus Guidelines

President Trump signaled that he was considering lifting the public health guidelines at the end of the 15-day period on March 30 due to the severe economic impacts caused by containment strategies despite mounting deaths caused by the pandemic.

March 24, 2020 - The Washington Post

Los Angeles, California

How Downtown L.A.'s First 'Re:Code' Community Plan Embraces Density and Affordability

Vince Bertoni addresses his city’s efforts to incentivize affordable housing and noted the responsibility shared at the state, regional, and local level for policy & regulatory change to incent provision of affordable housing.

March 24, 2020 - The Planning Report

Cleveland Public Square

Delaware, Louisiana, and Ohio Prepare to Shut Down Non-Essential Businesses

As confirmed cases of COVID-19 increase rapidly throughout the nation, governors of Delaware, Louisiana, and Ohio on Sunday issued stay-at-home orders that take effect Monday night or Tuesday to protect residents and hospitals.

March 24, 2020 - Bloomberg

Food Carts

The Historical Effect of Pandemics on the Economy and the Housing Market

Research into previous pandemics, like SARS in 2003, the Spanish Flu in 1918, and the early months of COVID-19 in China, offers insight into what to expect for the economy and the housing market during and after the current pandemic.

March 23, 2020 - Zillow

Staten Island Ferry

New York and Illinois Follow in California's Footsteps by Declaring Shutdowns

Governors of three of the nation's largest states, containing the three largest cities, have issued emergency orders to slow the spread of COVID-19.

March 22, 2020 - The Washington Post

Philadelphia Jewelers' Row

The Role of Local Governments in Stabilizing the Economy

By providing support for workers and small businesses, local governments will play a crucial role in weathering the virus and stabilizing the economy.

March 22, 2020 - Brookings

Glendale, California

Economic Argument for Historic Preservation in L.A.: Older Housing is Affordable Housing

Donovan Rypkema and Adrian Scott Fine highlight myth-busting findings on the impacts of historic preservation overlay zones (HPOZs) on affordability, density, diversity, and economic resilience of neighborhoods across Los Angeles.

March 20, 2020 - The Planning Report

Shipping San Francisco Bay

Bay Area Ordered to Shelter in Place

Six Bay Area counties have taken drastic action to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. "Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."

March 17, 2020 - San Francisco Chronicle

Coal Railroad

Mountain Coal States vs. West Coast Cities

A legal battle is being waged between the coal-exporting states of Utah, Wyoming, and Montana and coastal cities in California, Oregon, and Washington that pits the power of local land-use authority against the protection of interstate commerce.

March 16, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Hoboken vanity plates

Hoboken First U.S. City to Shut Down Restaurants and Bars and Issue Curfew

Restaurants and bars shut down on Sunday due to the coronavirus. On Monday, a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew becomes effective. According to a Harvard University public health expert, "Hoboken probably is the model we all need to move towards now."

March 16, 2020 - Insider

Downtown Cincinnati, Ohio

'Economic Mapping' to Help Regional Planning

Identifying potential hubs and activity centers allows regions to foster economic growth and density.

March 16, 2020 - The Avenue (Brookings)

Highway Construction

Will Federal Stimulus Again Feature Infrastructure?

As recessions fears grow, discussions about increasing the level of federal spending on infrastructure projects also grow.

March 15, 2020 - Eno Center for Transportation

Los Angeles

Reforming Local Development Regulations for Sustainable Megaregions

Managing development at the scale of megaregions is possible. An excerpt from the recently published book, "Designing for the Megaregion: Meeting Urban Challenges at a New Scale," written by Jonathan Barnett, explains how.

March 12, 2020 - Jonathan Barnett

Oil Rig

Just What the World Needs: $20 Per Barrel Oil

Oil prices crashed Monday due to a disagreement between two of the world's largest oil producers, Saudi Arabia and Russia, amidst a slump in oil demand due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Oil will flood the market as demand drops.

March 10, 2020 - The Washington Post

Manhattan

Metro Monitor 2020 Report Identifies Uneven Growth Around the United States

A record period of U.S. economic prosperity has reshaped the economy of the U.S., in particularly obvious patterns at the metropolitan level. A new Brookings report details the way metro areas have changed.

March 8, 2020 - Brookings

Atlanta

Debating Public Incentives for Private Developments

A debate common in growing cities around the country is taking place in Atlanta in answer to the question of how much support private developers need from the public.

March 6, 2020 - Curbed Atlanta

Oktoberfest

Beloved Businesses Should Not Struggle Silently

The demise of local businesses reached a crisis point long ago. To survive, they must resort to desperate measures—by actually asking for help. If they don't, the urban fabric will suffer.

March 5, 2020 - Josh Stephens

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.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.