Small Cities
Arena Promises Turn to Burdens for Small Cities
Construction of a multi-use event arena in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, was supposed to be a boon for the city. But when events dried up, costs mounted and a big building became a big mistake.
The New York Times
Are Smaller Cities Better Equipped for the Future?
Joel Kotkin puts forward the premise that smaller urban regions are more nimble than big cities. Kotkin dubs these smaller cities like Austin, Columbus and Raleigh-Durham "efficient cities."
New Geography
Recession-Proof Small Cities
In 2009, smaller metro areas benefited from increased government spending while many of the country’s wealthiest areas saw incomes decrease.
BusinessWeek
Revitalizing Downtown in Small and Mid-Sized Cities
Small and mid-sized cities in Canada are taking innovative steps to revitalize their downtowns, and lure businesses and entrepreneurs back.
The Globe and Mail
Small Cities Struggle Through Recession
Smaller cities are showing signs of struggle, as the amount of college-educated residents continues to drop. Coupled with the economic recession, smaller cities seems to be taking a harder economic hit than their larger counterparts.
Kansas City Star
The Planetizen News Brief - 6/25/09
4:30 minutes (4.19 MB)
City crime rankings drill down, small-town Pennsylvania turns its cameras on, and big city mayors gripe about unfair stimulus distribution -- all on this week's Planetizen News Brief, airing weekly on the nationally-syndicated radio show "Smart City". Read, listen or download.
Big Cities Call Stimulus Distribution Unfair
Mayors from big cities are feeling shortchanged by the federal government, which they say is disproportionately handing out stimulus money to small and rural areas.
Los Angeles Times
Small Town Sustainability: Prospects for Collaboration in a Global Age
Slow Cities? Swedish sustainability? Collaborative networks of small towns across the world are coming together to share knowledge and drive innovation, particularly when it comes to sustainable living. Heike Mayer and Paul L. Knox of Virginia Tech are authors of a new book on small town sustainability.
Starting Up Small
Though typically centered in bigger cities, this piece from Business Week looks at the best small cities to locate startup businesses in every state.
BusinessWeek
The Small City: Reconsidered, And Ready to Be Sustainable
Catherine Tumber writes in defense of the small city, long neglected in policy and revitalization, but poised to be an excellent resource for sustainable living.
Boston Review





















