Community / Economic Development

Where to Find the 'Opportunity Bargains' of Economic and Social Mobility
A few blue-collar cities proximate to Boston offer case studies of the "opportunity bargains" identified in the 2018 Opportunity Atlas published by Harvard and Brown universities an the U.S. Census.

D.C.'s Food Hall Boom Going Strong
Food halls continue to be popular additions to the restaurant scene in Washington, D.C.

Planning for Jails in New York City Neighborhoods
With a 9-3 vote, the New York City Planning Commission recently approved a plan that would relocate jails into the city's boroughs after shutting down the jail on Rikers Island.

A C40-Ready Framework for Local Climate Action in Santa Monica
Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole outlines the city's actions and policies to realize its ambitious C40 goals.

'Destination Crenshaw' Showcases South L.A.'s Strategic Advantage—Black Culture
Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson outlines Destination Crenshaw and highlights the economic development and community investment opportunities it brings to South L.A.

2019 Great Places in America Announced
The American Planning Association has announced four neighborhoods, six public spaces, and three streets as 2019 Great Places in America honorees. Nominations for the people's Choice category are still open.

Watch: The Dark Side of Eminent Domain
In cities like Boston, the government’s right to take private property displaced residents and destroyed vulnerable neighborhoods and communities.

Food Forests Bear Fruit in the Atlanta Region
The Atlanta suburb of Lilburn is the latest city to plant fruit trees for the purpose of feeding the public.

Census Tract Changes Could Expand Opportunity Zones
Tract boundary revisions for the 2020 Census could mean new opportunity zone designations as well.

Code Score: A New Aid for Aligning Policy and Vision With Outcomes
A compendium of benefits of walkable urban places, put together by Hazel Borys and Kaid Benfield.

Boulders Meant to Deter Homeless Cause a Ruckus in San Francisco
Desperate times. Desperate measures.

L.A.'s Strategy for 'Safe, Mobile, and Sustainable' Streets
Streets LA General Manager Adel Hagekhalil lays out his priorities and plans for transforming Los Angeles into a system of world-class streets.

L.A. River Restoration Challenged by Gentrification, Environmental Concerns
A massive effort to restore the Los Angeles River to more public access and open space amentias continues to raise the specter of gentrification in neighborhoods already feeling the pressure of the housing market.

Op-Ed: Seattle Resilience Roadmap Feels 'Retrospective'
Natalie Bicknell notes several deficiencies in the roadmap that resulted from Seattle's participation in the Rockefeller Foundation's now-defunct 100 Resilient Cities program.

Denver Suburb Bans RVs From Parking on Streets Citywide
Lakewood is taking an aggressive approach to homeless people sleeping in cars on public streets.

Law Prohibiting Bike Lanes Blockers Key to Creating a Liveable City
The city of Rochester, New York, decided to take legal action that ensures the city is as safe for people on bikes as intended.
Electric Pickup Truck Manufacturer Scores Huge 'Climate' Order from Amazon
To show his company's commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040, Jeff Bezos announced Thursday that Amazon would purchase 100,000 battery-electric delivery vans from Michigan-based Rivian. The trucks will begin service in 2021.

Amazon Moving in at Former Pontiac Silverdome Site
Amazon's move to the Detroit area will bring 1,500 jobs to the region at the location of a demolished NFL stadium.

Food Deserts Need the Right Kinds of Supermarkets
Research indicates that opening a supermarket in an area that needs it is not enough. The ownership model and relationship to the community are essential to long-term success.

Rethinking Supply-Side Approaches to L.A.'s Affordable Housing Crisis
Denny Zane reminds policymakers that local, community-focused decision making truly trumps the 'top-down, one-size-fits-all' legislative approach to housing.
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New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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