Community / Economic Development

Placemaking in the Barrio: Conceptualizing Infill Development in Disenfranchised Communities
How one San Antonio neighborhood could approach sustainable revitalization while supporting the existing community and drawing on its rich and diverse history and cultural resources.

NYC Losing Many Outdoor Dining Areas Due to Expensive New Regulations
Restaurant owners say the city’s new outdoor dining program makes it too difficult and expensive to operate al fresco setups.

‘Newbie Humility’ Meets the ‘Imported NIMBY’
In a precautionary essay about moving to another place, Chuck Wolfe explains tensions between simple and practical community life and newcomers’ arguably gentrification-laced expectations.

Branching Out: Building Health and Equity Through Community Forestry
Los Angeles County’s Community Forest Management Plan seeks to create a healthier, more equitable community forest by expanding tree coverage, engaging communities, and building resilience to climate impacts.

Seoul’s Urban Parks Blossom with Books
The Reading in Seoul Garden event invited residents to enjoy free reading and relaxation activities, including digital and live programs, in scenic parks, fostering a sense of community amid the city’s autumn landscapes.

How the Post-Covid Reality Is Reshaping Central Business Districts and Urban Centers
U.S. cities are working to redefine their downtowns in response to the “donut effect:” people and businesses abandoning city centers and flocking to suburban areas and beyond.

How a Government-Sponsored Enterprise Turned Away From its Housing Mission
A coalition of housing advocates is calling on the Federal Home Loan Bank system to return to its original purpose — lending to support housing.

How LA County Parks are Fostering Equity
Los Angeles County's Department of Parks and Recreation actively engages the public through diverse methods to ensure parks and recreation programming align with community needs and priorities.

L.A. County’s New Climate Resilience Officer
As the CRO, Matthew Gonser is focused on tackling extreme heat, flooding, and wildfires while engaging the community and implementing systemic changes to build a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Not a Walk in the Park: What It Really Takes to Build Green Spaces
Park creation can take decades of perseverance to overcome financial, regulatory, and social hurdles, but the end result for the local community is more than worth it.

Fundraising Begins for Development of 100-Acre Park in Los Angeles
River LA has launched a capital campaign to develop the 100-acre Taylor Yard Park, featuring amenities like a welcome pavilion, wetlands, and a pedestrian bridge, with completion costs estimated at over $1 billion.

Oil Refinery Closure Offers Relief for Impacted Communities
The sudden closure of the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles has been welcomed by environmental and community activists, raising hopes for reduced pollution.

Addressing Tree Canopy Disparity in South Los Angeles
A new study highlights the complex challenge of addressing tree canopy disparities in South L.A., where historical environmental injustices, budget constraints, and competing community priorities hinder efforts to increase equitable tree coverage.

Atlanta Beltline Expands Westside Trail and Redevelops Rail Corridor
The Beltline is expanding the Westside Trail with new sections, including the Kudzu Trail, while also redeveloping abandoned rail corridors, with completion expected between 2025 and 2027.

How Local Parks Promote Equitable Outdoor Access
Targeted investments in local parks, improved infrastructure, and enhanced transit connectivity are essential strategies to close the nature gap and ensure equitable outdoor access for underserved communities.

A Historic Golf Club's Community Revival
South LA’s Chester Washington Golf Club is experiencing a revitalization, blending its rich legacy with modern advancements while continuing to foster community, diversity, and fellowship.

Kingston Agreed the Rent Was too Damn High — So It Lowered It
Rent stabilization typically limits the amount that rent can go up every year—but a newly appointed rent guidelines board in Kingston, New York took it a step further.

Love Letter to Asheville
A River Arts District resident and urbanist reflects on her experience in the former “climate haven” in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

House Poor: Low-Income Homeowners Struggle in the Shadows
While renters and homebuyers’ challenges dominate the headlines, they aren't the only ones wrestling with maintaining decent housing.

Seattle’s New Overlook Walk Offers Ample Park Space Near Pike Place Market
The elevated park and event space replaces part of the demolished Alaskan Way Viaduct, connecting the city’s famous Pike Place Market to the waterfront.
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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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions