Revitalization

Philly Burgh Balances Tradition with Revitalization

People seeking small town, authentic character are moving to the burghs along the Schuylkill River. Now the towns are faced with the challenge of blending the old with the new.

December 10, 2014 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Op-Ed: Reintroduce California's Historic Restoration Tax Credit

Despite a veto by Governor Jerry Brown, California’s Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins should keep trying to pass legislation to encourage preservation, says Bay area preservation architect Jerri Holan.

October 24, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Mixed-use waterfront

6 Ways Urban Renewal Misses the Livability Mark

Despite spending millions on urban renewal projects, municipalities often miss a common group of opportunities to make their communities more livable and walkable, according to William Adams, a San Diego-based land use attorney.

September 12, 2014 - UrbDeZine

The Risks and Conflicts of Interest in San Diego's Proposed Redevelopment Scheme

Before San Diego adopts a proposal to continue redevelopment using profit-based concepts, it should pause to consider the perils, argues Murtaza H. Baxamusa, an affordable housing developer and planning professor.

August 3, 2014 - UrbDeZine

Projects to Watch in Nashville's Transformation

The Architect's Newspaper featured a suite of "new urbanism" projects underway in Nashville—everything from BRT, to convention centers, to bikeshare.

July 19, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Empty Parking Lot

Rethinking the Value of Parking Lots

To create more active and economically healthy downtowns, cities are seeking development on parking lots.

April 12, 2014 - Newsweek

Does Downtown San Diego Measure Up as a 'Vibrant Downtown'?

Piggybacking on John Karras's article, "12 Strategies That Will Transform Your City’s Downtown" (posted in Planetizen as "12 Strategies for Revitalizing Downtowns" on 2/26/1014), Bill Adams takes a look at how downtown San Diego measures up.

March 9, 2014 - UrbDeZine.com

How to Predict the Next Hot Hood

The growing interest in city living is transforming urban neighborhoods throughout the United States. But how can one get in on the rising tide before becoming priced out? Charlie Wells provides some clues.

December 19, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Could "Impact Bonds" Target Places Rather Than People?

Localities are experimenting with social impact bonds (SIBs) to fund America's social service infrastructure. John Roman asks if such an instrument could be used to help transform blighted areas.

November 16, 2013 - Huff Post Business

What's Wrong With Worcester? A Story of Stalled Revitalization

The $565 million CitySquare project was supposed to spark the revitalization of Worcester's downtown. But 10 years later, the 21 acre site is home to vacant sites and outdated buildings. What went wrong?

October 18, 2013 - The Boston Globe

LA's Four Epic Planning Mistakes and What They Teach Us

In its history, Los Angeles has made four fateful planning decisions, in the opinion of real estate consultant and developer Michael P. Russell, but much can be learned from these mistakes.

July 6, 2013 - UrbDeZine.com

U-Turn Sign

What Does it Feel Like When a City is Turning Around?

Cleveland resident Anne Trubek notes a change in the city's zeitgeist. Whereas decades of disinvestment once led to cheerleading, today's mood is more proactive. A sense of civic obligation reflects an exciting but anxious time in the city's history.

June 13, 2013 - Next City

Can Gentle Gentrification Create 'Shared Neighbourhoods'?

Is revitalization without displacement possible? Although it's a harder and longer process than unmitigated gentrification, Brent Toderian argues that "positive and responsible change" can coexist with the maintenance of existing communities.

May 23, 2013 - HuffPost British Columbia

Frederick Maryland

America's Biggest Small Town Comebacks

Jordan Rane profiles 8 historic towns from across the country that have overcome significant challenges to become desirable destinations once again.

March 14, 2013 - CNN

The Contrasting Forces Behind Downtown L.A.'s Revitalization

With several sporting events of national notice taking place in downtown Los Angeles, last weekend provided a prime platform to showcase the resurgence of the area. However, big-ticket events are just one of the many forces re-energizing downtown.

May 21, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Sprucing Things Up on the Wrong Side of the Tracks

Will French takes a look at the success of Birmingham's downtown revitalization, which – in the absence of a waterfront – embraced its historic railroads, instead.

May 16, 2012 - Urban Land

Why Whole Foods' Arrival is an Auspicious Sign for Detroit

Starbucks used to be the retailer who symbolically announced the revival of an urban community. Not any longer. Will Doig looks at Whole Foods, the new gentrification symbol, who've "made a science of putting down roots" at "just the right moment".

May 8, 2012 - Salon.com

The Three Projects That Will (Finally) Define Manhattan's Far West Side

William Millard, Tom Stoelker, and Caitlin Blanchfield discuss three long-awaited, major developments that are finally taking shape on Manhattan's Far West Side: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, the third section of the High Line, and Hudson Yards.

April 18, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

Born of Transit, a Young D.C. Neighborhood in Full Bloom

Seven years after a celebrated public-private partnership, NoMa proves a smart growth success, write Rachel MacCleery and Jonathan Tarr.

March 7, 2012 - Urban Land

Urban Revitalization: Baby Steps or the Magic Bullet?

Writer Tara Sturm explores the merits of incremental urbanism on revitalization efforts with the help of L.A. architect Alan Pullman, highlighting grassroots, community-driven economic development.

February 3, 2012 - Buildipedia.com

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.