Community / Economic Development

Ski Jump

Money Earmarked for Detroit Convention Center Could Go to a Ski Jump Instead

The Northern Michigan Sports Commission hasn't even been created yet, but it already has funding clout in the state government.

December 14, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

Poverty in the Depression

No Place to Call Home: A Review of 'Homeless: Poverty and Place in Urban America'

In a history of the skid rows in American cities from the late 19th century until the urban renewal era of the 1960s, Ella Howard tells of the impoverished people who inhabited them and the policy choices that supported their existence.

December 13, 2017 - Linda Day

Delray, Detroit

A Detroit Neighborhood 'Sentenced to Die'

A handful of Delray residents refuse to be displaced by industry, but the plan for a new bridge may mean they don't have a choice.

December 13, 2017 - Detroit Free Press

Brightline

All Aboard Florida's Brightline Set to Launch this Month

The privately funded, diesel-powered trains will run at speeds up to 79 mph between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, with an extension to Miami opening early next year. Real estate development is key to profitability.

December 11, 2017 - WBUR

Gold Rush San Francisco

Boomtowns No Longer Attract Waves of New Workers

The latest Upshot by Emily Badger looks at why American cities with the greatest economic opportunity no longer attract the population increases of yore

December 11, 2017 - The New York Times

Los Angeles

A Sermon for the Homeless

A recent conference hosted by the American Institute of Architects in Los Angeles shined a light on efforts to reduce homelessness in Los Angeles—and demonstrated just how much work must be done nationwide to solve this humanitarian crisis.

December 10, 2017 - Josh Stephens

Los Angeles Arts District

The Artist Hubs of America

Data analysis reveals which cities have the most working artists.

December 9, 2017 - CityLab

YIMBYs Arrive in Boston

The Boston Globe explores the YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movement, as debate over a retail project in East Boston gains pro-development interest.

December 8, 2017 - The Boston Globe

Homelessness

Hepatitis A Outbreak Spurring Cities to New Actions on Homelessness

A series of articles from around the Internet in recent weeks highlights the need for more services and support for the homeless. The location of this story is set in California, but all communities should heed these warnings.

December 8, 2017 - Wired

Mount Airy Casino Resort in Pocono, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Gambling Expansion Proving Unpopular at the Local Level

The state thought more casinos would be a good way to raise some revenue for the state. So far a lot of local governments want no part of that action.

December 8, 2017 - WHYY

Washington, D.C.

VA Reverses Course on Cuts to Popular Homeless Veterans Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs prompted outcry when it told advocates and its partners at the Department of Housing and Urban Development that it would cut $460 million for long-term housing for homeless veterans.

December 7, 2017 - The Washington Post

Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma

A 'City Vitality' Metric

Gallup and the city of Tulsa have partnered on the new Gallup-Tulsa CitiVoice Index.

December 7, 2017 - Smart Cities Drive

Mapping the Country's Debt

An interactive map from the Urban Institute invites comparisons in the geography of debt.

December 6, 2017 - Urban Institute

Eichler

Third Rail of the Housing Debate: More Density in Single-Family Neighborhoods

If California is going to address its chronic housing shortage, single-family residential neighborhoods can no longer be ruled "off limits." Opposition to a small Berkeley subdivision spawned new housing legislation and fostered the YIMBY movement.

December 5, 2017 - The New York Times

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Could Streamline Temporary Shelters, Permanent Supportive Housing

Los Angeles is exploring multiple angles for sheltering the 34,000 homeless living in the city. Urbanize LA takes a look at two of the city's most recent legislative efforts to develop more supportive housing.

December 5, 2017 - Urbanize LA

Portland's Jade District Is a Planner's Nightmare (and Dream)

The Jade District on Portland's distant east side is a typical geography of wide streets and sprawl, but is also a relatively complete, self-contained community.

December 3, 2017 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Ohio River

Army Corps: Climate Change Could Devastate Ohio River Region

The agency's report shows that inland-dwellers are just as likely as coastal types to be deeply affected by climate change.

December 2, 2017 - The Courier-Journal

Managing Airbnb: Regulatory Approaches to Short-Term Rentals

Tech ventures like Airbnb have "uberized" the lodging industry. They have also created new challenges for land use planners and government officials. This article provides a sampling of regulatory approaches to short-term rentals.

December 1, 2017 - Maine Association of Planners Front Page

Prospect Hill Park, Waltham, MA

Housing Growth Stagnates in Boston Suburbs

Boston economists are sounding the alarm: while the city itself is adding plenty of housing, there's not a lot happening in the suburbs. That may adversely affect older folks who want to sell and younger people looking to buy.

November 30, 2017 - The Boston Globe

MTA Bus

Report: NYC Bus System in Crisis

A new report cites decreased ridership and dismal service despite a growing need for more and better routes.

November 28, 2017 - The New York Times

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.