Next American City reports on a recent conference that emphasized the role of immigrants in fueling economic growth.
"Consider the statistics: Immigrants are nearly 30 percent more likely to start businesses than native-born Americans. The evidence is all over American cities. In Los Angeles, a 2005 report counted immigrants as the creators of at least 22 of the city's 100 fastest growing companies. In Boston, immigrants have fueled the resurgence of several neighborhoods, including Fields Corner, East Boston and Allston Village.
Two trends that point to immigrants playing an even more critical role in the economy of American cities in the future are their continued population growth and the ongoing move by large companies to outsource labor to distant shores. By offering jobs here in the states, immigrant entrepreneurs help to counter the job losses of outsourcing. Even during economic downturns, immigrants tend to continue to start businesses and create jobs.
But despite their crucial role in economic growth, immigrants remain a vastly ignored part of city economies and disconnected from local economic development planning, says CUF [The Center for an Urban Future].
FULL STORY: The Ellis Island Economy
Silicon Valley Looks To Kill The Corner Store
A new startup is either a disruptive technology that will forever change the corner store, or yet another example of Silicon Valley looking to gentrify neighborhoods.
A Clash of Cultural Sensibilities in South Philly
Allyn Gaestel outlines the tensions that arise as a growing Vietnamese community begins to define the visual character of Washington Ave. in South Philadelphia.
New California Law Protects Commercial Tenants
The law, modeled on residential tenants’ rights, acknowledges the uneven power dynamics between many small business owners and their commercial landlords.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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