The city’s central business district is bustling with more activity than before the pandemic.

Based on an analysis of cell phone data, downtown Salt Lake City is seeing a stronger recovery than any U.S. city, reports Jared Brey in Governing. The study showed a 139 percent increase in downtown activity between March and May of this year as compared to the same period in 2019.
While there are several ways to measure ‘recovery,’ Karen Chapple, director of the School of Cities at the University of Toronto, says “when it comes down to it, the whole picture is given by humans being downtown.”
What worked in Salt Lake City? “Researchers say Utah did a relatively good job managing the pandemic, especially in terms of limiting economic damage,” Brey explains. “Ana Valdemoros, a Salt Lake City councilmember who represents the downtown, also says the city’s financial management helped set it up to avoid laying off public workers and to better support businesses in the early days of the pandemic.”
The region around Salt Lake City also has a diverse economy that drives the growth of the entire state. While neighboring states are generally specialized in industries like gaming or energy production, “Utah also has strong tech, tourism, agriculture, distribution, health and education sectors.”
Brey adds that downtown SLC has fewer residents than many other big cities, but over 3,000 housing units are currently under construction. Meanwhile, “State and local officials have been working to offset the growth in housing costs by passing bills to support new affordable housing and loosen zoning rules to permit more housing construction.”
FULL STORY: What’s Behind Salt Lake City’s Remarkable Recovery?

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service