Community / Economic Development

The Cities that Most Resemble Each Other
A fun activity in city comparison.

APA-Texas Acknowledges the Great Places of the Lone Star State
There are a lot of great places to celebrate in Texas, and the state chapter of the American Planning Association is in the second year of a program that calls attention to the role of planners in making them happen.

Researchers Find a Model of Redevelopment Without Displacement
It's the "holy grail" of urban planning, say researchers.
Wisconsin's Foxconn Deal Inspiring Lots of Transit Planning
The msot recent proposal for new public transit to serve the Foxconn facility in Racine County: a commuter rail connection from Downtown Milwaukee.

Amazon Picks Springfield Over Quahog and South Park for HQ2 Location
The pundits got it wrong.

Big Philadelphia Parks Bond on Hold While Funding Debated in Court
The Rebuild initiative in Philadelphia depends on funding generated by a 1.5 cents-an-ounce tax on sugary beverages. The tax is in effect, but $300 million in bonds have to wait for a court decision about the tax.

Yes Sitting, Yes Skating, Yes Music
Where can teenagers hang out and be safe in public? Members of Yes Loitering, advocates for public spaces where youth can “hang out and be themselves” without fear of reprisal.

Resurrecting the Classic American Main Street
In an interview, urbanism scholar Emily Talen discusses what it would take to restore "main street principles" to American towns and cities. Understandably, small retailers play a big role.

AARP Announces 'Quick-Action' Community Challenge Grant
The program funds projects that improve mobility and livability "for all ages."

2018 Planning Excellence Awards Announced
The APA revealed their annual recognition of the best of the best for planners and planning in 2018.

Houston Controller Finds Fault with Key Economic Development Program
A new report finds that Houston might not be holding private partners accountable for promised infrastructure improvements.

Ford Motor Company Considering Big Move to Historic Detroit
If Ford Motor Co. goes through with a plan to move into the old Michigan Central Depot, it would mark a new phase of the rebirth of Detroit's urban core.

National League of Cities to Study State Preemption of Local Laws
The mission of the National League of Cities is to advocate for cities—and the organization is now gathering evidence to push back on growing amount of state preemption of local control.

The Legacy of Housing Discrimination Still Haunts Minorities
The practice of redlining was outlawed in 1977, but its effects have been indelible.

Texas Designates 628 Opportunity Zones
The state of Texas gives an early indication of the potential scale of the new Opportunity Zones program—an emerging program that will be rolling out across the country in the coming days and weeks.

The American Eviction Epidemic
According to a new report, a U.S. "eviction epidemic" is connected to a growing number of homeless people.

How One Lake Erie Town Got Free Waterfront Property for Public Use
Clear communication and a fair trade let Euclid, Ohio begin to rethink its lakefront—and its future.

Allegheny River Town Debates Fracking Water Treatment Plant
Opponents cite environmental risks, supporters hope the facility will boost the economy of a struggling community.

Competition, Debt Faulted in Bankruptcies of Two Major Food Retailers
Two major grocery store companies announced bankruptcy this week, sparking fears that the "retail apocalypse" has expanded to food retailers.

The Salvation Army Opening Affordable Grocery Stores
Salvation Army grocery stores opening across the United States will provide lower income families with better access to healthy foods.
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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