As mega-malls begin to emerge in established communities, communities have mixed feelings. Some think the development will bring traffic. Others look to increasing property values.
"With a new big development always just around the corner in Southern California, the controversy over the Americana raises the question: Do such projects improve the quality of life for residents? The answer lies somewhere between the Grove and the Americana, two cases in point by the same developer.
...In the coming months, a $264-million mega-development featuring high-end shops and restaurants, a 16-screen theater complex, upscale residential units and a park will begin to take shape on a 15.5-acre patch of downtown, transforming Horgan's view as it redefines central Glendale.
'Ultimately, I think it will be good for Glendale. Look at what the Grove has done for the Farmers Market area. It's hotter than ever before,' said Richard Horgan," a 46-year old entertainment journalist, referring to Caruso's large retail and restaurant complex that opened three years ago in Los Angeles' Fairfax district.
FULL STORY: Boom or thud?
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Poorest NYC Neighborhoods Pay Price for Delivery Boom
The rise of ‘last-mile’ e-commerce warehouses — and their attendant truck traffic and air pollution — is disproportionately impacting the most historically disadvantaged parts of the city.
Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.
California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.
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
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland