Economic Recession
A Decade of Growth, But Then the Bust
Nevada was the fastest growing state in the nation over the last ten years, but amid that growth has been a severe economic downturn.
Ground-Up Recovery in New Orleans
Nicole Gelinas argues that five years after Hurricane Katrina, the city is on the path to becoming a bona fide urban success story thanks to its determined residents.
10 Places Poised for Economic Recovery
Joel Kotkin hypothesizes as to which cities will emerge from the recession stronger than ever.
Glancey Argues Consumerism Engenders Poor Architecture
Jonathan Glancey argues that in the wake of the UK government's culling of Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, and a recession which only diluted our consumerist thirst, the current aim to build cheaply has cost us design quality.
Metros Across The Country Seek Financial Help From Embattled States
Across the country, a growing number of towns, cities and other local governments are seeking refuge in havens that many states provide as alternatives to federal bankruptcy court.
Lack of Transit Intensifies Suburban Poverty
In the last ten years, more than two thirds of poverty growth has happened in suburban areas of American cities. According to Brookings', social services such as transit have failed to keep up in the face of decreasing tax revenue.
Reviving Suburbs Requires an Urban Sensibility
Richard Florida argues that edge cities ravaged by the recession should take cues from urban development patterns to spur growth.
Las Vegas Faces Unique Road to Recovery
While other parts of the country see economic improvement, Las Vegas continues to experience the deepest crisis of its modern history. Is its leisure-based economy to blame?
5 Major Factors Behind America's Strongest Cities
Derek Thompson reports on the twenty strongest metro areas and the major factors behind their success in recovering from the recession. He concludes that the country "did not experience an even, cross-country recession."
Cities Must Realign Priorities Toward Job Creation
Aaron Renn argues that when it comes to thinking on large cities, "too many people remain stuck in the 90s." Now that the recession has civic finances in a vice grip, we ought to focus not on condos or bike shares, but straightforward job creation.
Downturn Helps Downtown L.A. Avoid Gentrification
The crash of the economy happened at the right time for gentrifying downtown Los Angeles, according to this piece from the Los Angeles Times.
Wal-Mart Gains Foothold In Lucrative Urban Market
Wal-Mart is succeeding in convincing Chicago politicians that it will create sustainable "employment and revenue for the city." The predominantly suburban-based supercenter chain is trying to move into denser urban areas.
Strife in the City of the Future
Joel Kotkin describes the plight of a Los Angeles economy that has lost "one-fifth of all its employment since 2004." Once a hopeful generator of new jobs and technology, the area has suffered the most of all the Sunbelt metros.
Has Expansion of the Welfare State Hindered Social Mobility in London?
Joel Kotkin examines the causes of growing disaffection among Britain's youth and the associated class conflicts that were highlighted by the recent general election.
New Twist on Eminent Domain
Boston uses the threat of eminent domain to force a developer to build on a site that's become an eyesore.
Residents Get More Say in Redevelopment
A scandal over bonuses and the recession leads to change in project to redevelop Southeast San Diego, but some critics want to see more construction, not just kumbaya.
The Recession's Impact on American Cities
Next American City kicks off their new podcast by interviewing the Brookings Institution's Alan Berube about how the economic recession is playing out in American cities and metropolitan areas.
Tough Choices in Pleasantville, NY
Pleasantville, NY may be affluent and amenity-rich, but it isn't immune to the economic downturn. Now some suggest the town should sacrifice character for economic opportunity.
Making Use of Stalled and Vacant Developments
A new plan being pursued by the City of San Francisco would allow developers with projects stalled by the economic recession hold on to their development rights as long as they make some beneficial use of the vacant land until construction starts.
America's Depression, Infrastructure and Stubborn Way of Life
This essay from Places looks at today's economic depression, the nation's crumbling infrastructure, and various efforts to rethink they way America looks at fixing its cities.
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.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
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
