Community / Economic Development

Michigan

A $130 Million Infusion for Detroit's 'Strategic Neighborhood Fund'

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Planning Director Maurice Cox announced a major new funding initiative to support the city's Strategic Neighborhood Fund. Funding will support projects in seven target neighborhoods.

May 8, 2018 - The Detroit Free Press

Cleveland 4th Street St. Patrick's

Can Density Prevent Diabetes?

In Australia, a new study will determine the best ways to make high-density developments healthy places to live.

May 7, 2018 - Diabetes.co.uk

Seattle, Washington

Amazon, Seattle Go to War Over Proposed Tax

Amazon, a company with cities throwing money at its feet all over the country, has decided to halt construction on an expansion in its hometown over a proposed "head tax."

May 5, 2018 - The New York Times

Marijuana

Marijuana Tasting Rooms Would Be Legalized by Colorado Legislation

Colorado is taking 'baby steps' toward a thoroughly regulated regime of social marijuana use.

May 5, 2018 - The Denver Post

Governor of Wisconsin

Another EPA Rollback, Tailor-Made for Gov. Walker and Southeast Wisconsin

Politics and economics win over public health in Racine County as the EPA exempted the area around the Foxconn's massive facility from meeting stricter ozone pollution standards, saving the company from investing in smog-reducing equipment.

May 5, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Uhaul Trucks

Cities Need Labor So Badly They'll Pay You to Move There

Some cities are employing a "modern-day Homestead Act" to attract new residents.

May 4, 2018 - The Wall Street Journal

Housing Construction

Affordable Housing Finance: Show Me the Money

Ben Brown continues his weekly blog series in lead-up to the day-long exploration at CNU Savannah, "Affordability: The Intersection of Everything."

May 3, 2018 - PlaceShakers

New York Nightlife

Understanding the Unique Challenges of Urban Loneliness

Let's acknowledge that loneliness and depression is common among urban residents, and figure out ways urban planning can foster connections and social interactions between people.

May 3, 2018 - Kayla Matthews

Housing

It’s Time to Build New, Mixed-Income Public Housing

Interview with the co-author of the report "Social Housing in the United States," on the politics of home ownership, why public housing needs to be mixed-income, and providing adequate, affordable housing to all citizens.

May 2, 2018 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Wealthy Neighborhood

Looking for a Starter Home in Dallas? Good Luck

According to a new study, fewer than 10 percent of homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are priced for first-time buyers.

May 1, 2018 - The Dallas Morning News

South Bay Area

Where the Economic Recovery Has Been Most Inclusive

Across racial and economic lines, not all cities are recovering equally.

May 1, 2018 - Color Lines

Suburban House

Prices Pushing Home Buyers to Suburbs

Unlike previous generations that fled cities, in part over of fears of crime, today people leave many cities because they can't afford them.

April 28, 2018 - The Economist

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017

New Scrutiny for the Federal 'Opportunity Zones' Program

Opportunity Zones—a new federal program that flew under the radar of the GOP tax reform bill signed at the end of 2017—has been moving along and attracting new attention from media outlets.

April 27, 2018 - Opportunity360

Retail Apocalypse

Retail Space Shrinking Again in 2018

Because of closures at big box stores like Toys R US, 2018 will see total retail space down sharply even while the number of store closures is small compared to last year.

April 26, 2018 - Financial Times

Seattle, Washington

Study Predicts the 'Amazon Effect' of HQ2 on Rents

Spoiler alert: the rent will go up in whatever city Amazon chooses for the site of its second headquarters.

April 26, 2018 - Zillow Research

Tennessee

Chattanooga to Redevelop City-Owned Properties to Keep Innovation District Momentum

Two underutilized buildings have been proposed as a catalyst for inclusive development in the Edney Innovation District.

April 26, 2018 - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Philadelphia

Growth Centers on Philadelphia's Downtown, But Poverty Persists Elsewhere

An opinion piece points out the inequities of growth in contemporary Philadelphia.

April 24, 2018 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

LA Ciclavia

Public Space Arms Race

Battles for inclusion and exclusion in the life of the city more often end in stand-offs than in skirmishes.

April 23, 2018 - Urban Omnibus

Texas

Dallas Housing Proposal Aims for Equity, Finally

Not only does the plan promise more affordable housing, it’s also supposed to deliver “access to more upwardly mobile communities."

April 23, 2018 - Next City

Getting the Politics of Cordon Tolling Right

With Mayor Jenny Durkan's announcement that Seattle will pursue cordon area congestion pricing coming five days after New York dropped its plan, a Washington State pro-business publication looks at the difficulties in getting the politics right.

April 20, 2018 - Lens

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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.