Community / Economic Development

Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument site.

Site of Race Riot in Springfield, Illinois, Designated as National Monument

President Biden has designated the site of the 1908 Springfield race riot as a national monument, honoring its historical significance.

August 19, 2024 - National Public Radio

Aerial view of downtown Stockton, California with brick church in foreground.

Will This Resident Group Get Full Control of the Complex They Helped Fix?

A group of Cambodian immigrants took partial control of an affordable housing property in the 90s, and since then, they’ve made big changes to the complex. But they haven’t been able to get full legal control of the property for decades. Why?

August 15, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Commercial street in Orlando, Florida with elevated pedestrian walkway crossing the street at Church Street Station historic train station and commercial hub.

Orlando Approves New Nightclub Rules

The city ended a temporary moratorium on new nightclubs, replacing it with a rule limiting them to roughly one per every city block.

August 15, 2024 - WESH Orlando

Man with baby in sling holds red grocery basket while looking at refrigerated store section.

Even in ‘Food Deserts,’ Independent Grocers Struggle to Survive

Government support has helped open stores in underserved communities, but cost and scale make it difficult for small businesses to survive long-term.

August 12, 2024 - ProPublica

Asphalt road on coast with collapsed segments from erosion.

We Must Relocate to Prepare for Climate Change, and We Must Do it Now

As flooding, sea level rise, fires, and other climate impacts increase, we’ll need to move about 20 million Americans by 2100. Here’s how we can rethink managed retreat to get ahead of the rising tides.

August 8, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Close-up of Starbucks coffee logo with Drive Thru sign with arrow under it mounted on dark grey wall.

Reports of the Third Place’s Death are Greatly Exaggerated

Starbucks is shifting to more drive-throughs and less comfy armchairs, but that doesn’t mean the demand for common spaces outside of home and work is waning.

August 7, 2024 - Strong Towns

Colorful three-story multifamily housing.

Affordable Housers Face Deepening Rental Arrears and Ballooning Expenses

Four years after the pandemic first wrought havoc on the American economy, nonprofit housers are being overwhelmed by rental arrears. Can they balance their social mission against their operational realities?

August 6, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

View looking up at Zilker Studios apartment building in Austin, Texas.

What Makes Affordable Housing Green?

There's no one way to determine what makes “green” housing. Here's a breakdown of the standards and considerations used by the affordable housing industry.

August 6, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Spray painted words "Tourist Go Home" on wall in Barcelona illustrate locals' frustration with overtourism.

Balancing Act: 7 Strategies to Curb Overtourism

What’s a popular travel destination to do? From ice cream bans to “Stay Away” marketing campaigns, cities and countries across the world are getting creative in their efforts to curb the negative impacts of mass tourism and tourists behaving badly.

August 5, 2024 - Mary Hammon

Servers in a data center.

Data Centers Gaining Ground in Central Ohio

Massive data centers are gobbling up energy resources and tax breaks while creating few jobs in the region.

August 1, 2024 - Governing

Brick New York City apartment building exterior with fire escape stairs and AC window units.

Beating Extreme Heat Through Community Efforts

U.S. cities don't provide residents with enough protection against heat, the deadliest weather-related killer in the world. In New York City, one organization came together to distribute ACs to neighbors in need.

August 1, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

A Place to Recover from Illness: How Medical Respite Programs Help Unhoused People Heal

For people experiencing homelessness, recuperating after a hospitalization is difficult. Medical respite programs can help. Why aren't they more common?

August 1, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

City park with paved walkway, green trees, and people sitting on lawn.

Advancing Sustainability and Resilience Through Parks

The Urban Land Institute offers fact sheets describing five innovative ways that parks can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate threats while advancing health, equity, and quality of life in urban areas.

July 31, 2024 - Urban Land Institute

Aerial view of hydrogen storage hub in green field.

First Federal Funding for Hydrogen Hubs Awarded to California and Pacific Northwest

The U.S. Department of Energy announced on July 17 that the first grant to build the nation's seven proposed 'hydrogen hubs' would go to California. The ultimate goal is to decarbonize transportation fuels used in port operations.

July 31, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

Two people helping an older woman outdoors suffering from heat stroke.

Essential Strategies for Combating Extreme Heat

Cities can protect residents from extreme heat by enhancing natural and built infrastructure, establishing heat response strategies, and implementing national policies for worker safety and disaster response.

July 30, 2024 - Fast Company

Aerial view of Kona, Hawaii.

Big Island Airbnb Operators Call for Economic Impact Study

As the Hawai’i County Council debates new regulations governing short-term rentals, it is requesting a study on how the industry impacts local residents and businesses.

July 29, 2024 - Big Island Now

Group of people standing around a table with food in front of homes during a block party.

Bringing Back the Block Party

How a humble neighborhood get-together can help build stronger cities.

July 29, 2024 - Strong Towns

For Rent

Rethinking Rent Control: Balancing Affordability With Market Dynamics

Explore the balance between rent control policies and market dynamics, analyzing how different models impact housing affordability and real estate investment.

July 25, 2024 - Devin Partida

Close-up on group of young people sitting at a table using their cell phones.

Leveraging Social Media for Citizen Engagement in Urban Planning

Discover how urban planners can use social media to enhance citizen engagement, featuring strategies for interactive communication and community involvement in urban development projects.

July 24, 2024 - Devin Partida

View of Ithaca Commons sign over pedestrian street in downtown Ithaca, New York.

In Upstate New York, the Fight for ‘Good Cause’ Continues

This week, Ithaca became the latest city to opt into New York’s new Good Cause Eviction Law. What are tenant organizers doing to make the law work better for their communities?

July 24, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

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.

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.