Main Street
Creative Corridor Plan Puts Little Rock on the Urban Design Map
Lindsey Millar reports on a proposed Creative Corridor plan for Little Rock, calling it “vivid and grandiose, full of all the sorts of things New Urbanists salivate over - a pedestrian promenade, rain gardens, street furniture, [and] LED lighting.."
As the Enclosed Mall Era Fades, Learning Lessons, Both Bad and Good
For all the bad press that the traditional enclosed mall receives today from planners, there are certainly retail strategies they excelled at that will be pertinent long into the future, argues Geoff Dyer.
A Bike Lane Blunder in Los Angeles
In a city known for its film industry, bike-friendly weather, and historic downtown, an editorial in the Los Angeles Times asks why they all can't just get along.
WalMart/Big Box Subsidies Don't Work, Says New Study
When governments use public money to woo national chains, economic growth and job creation aren't worth the cost, says Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Independent retailers also suffer.
Main Street Revitalization Efforts Turn a Corner
Having lured its first major retailer on Main Street, revitalization efforts in Columbia, South Carolina's urban corridor seem to be finally paying off.
"Buy Local" Campaigns Making a Difference
A national survey of independent businesses found that those in communities with an active "buy local" campaign experienced significantly stronger revenue growth in 2010 compared to those located in areas without one.
Somewhere Between Blight and Gentrification...
Is there a happy medium between the run-down liquor store and the gourmet shop? What is the best form of Main Street retail, as people move back to the city and re-emergent neighborhoods acquire shops and services that were once lacking?
Following the Path of the Meltdown
A new documentary tracks the meltdown of Wall Street and its impact on housing throughout the country. The New York Times offers this review.
Downtowns Not the Economic Engines They Used to Be
Downtowns used to serve primarily as the economic and job hub of a community, but are shifting to be more focused on providing a entertainment center and civic forum.
Main Street Beating the Odds
Niles, Michigan has managed to build jobs and add businesses to its Main Street over the past five years. How did they do it? Wayne Senville of the Planning Commissioners Journal stopped by on his tour around the U.S.A.
WalMart Goes NIMBY Against Town Center Plans
The town of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has grand plans for a new, pedestrian-oriented downtown, but making this idea reality involves getting rid of one large and vocal neighbor: WalMart.
Revitalizing Main Street, One Store at a Time
More retail, joining residential and office developments, is seen as the crucial linchpin in the ongoing revitalization of Columbia, SC's Main Street.
Main Street Thriving in Utah
Midvale used to be the heart of Utah's mining industry. After an economic slump, downtown Midvale has come back thanks to small businesses and a new influx of immigrants.
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
