North America
Suburbs See Rise in Kids in Poverty
2008 Census estimates reveal that in the city center of Fort Worth, Texas, the number of school-age children living in poverty has dropped whereas the surrounding suburban communities have seen increasing numbers.
Fort Worth Star Telegram
Investing in Infrastructure
Private investors are increasingly putting their money into infrastructure assets like bridges and windmills.
The Globe and Mail
The Park Prescription
One doctor has begun advising her patients to simply take a walk in the park to improve their overall health. And as she describes in this article, she's not alone.
The Washington Post
The Most Musical Cities in North America
This chart from the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto looks at North America's musical epicenters -- cities where the most music is produced.
Creative Class Exchange
US, Canada and Mexico Collaborate on Wilderness Preservation
A new agreement signed this week by all three governments creates an international committee to collaborate on wilderness management.
WorldChanging
There Are Planners, And There Are Politicians
Put the chief planners of seven of North America's most progressive cities in a room and ask about their challenges, they inevitably point to the overriding role of the political leaders they serve. Expanding public open space also was raised.
S.F. Streetsblog
Types of Development for the Creative Class
Cool Town Studios offers this list of 19 development types for the creative class.
Cool Town Studios
On Remaking Shrinking Cities
This week's Smart City features discussions with Harvard economist Ed Glaeser about shrinking cities, and with urban design critic Randy Gragg about interactive art and urban design projects.
Smart City
Smaller May Be Better in Developer Biz
While a number of mega retail developers crashed and burned during the recession, some smaller developers have thrived.
Retail Traffic Magazine
Toward an Ethic of Place: Experiments in Regional Governance
Matthew McKinney argues that regional governance is essential to address transboundary issues like climate change, wildlife corridors, shared water resources, and energy development.
"Attached" to Urban Economic Growth
A new study suggests that cities for which residents have a higher degree of emotional attachment and loyalty have greater levels of economic growth.
The Globe and Mail
Friday Funny - Zoning on the Menu
I'll have a Conditional Use Permit, on the rocks, with a twist...
Building Place Notebook

















