Community / Economic Development

Unique 'Audio Portraits' Pay Homage to Urban Noise
One man's noise pollution is another man's symphony.
Research Team to Study the Physiological Responses of Pedestrians to 'Physical Disorder'
Associate Professors Yunwoo Nam and lead PI Changbum Ahn from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, were recently awarded an NSF grant entitled "Human-Centric Sensing Platform to Assess Neighborhood Physical Disorder."

Understanding the Varieties of NIMBYism
"To get beyond NIMBYism, we first must understand it," writes Richard Florida.

Change the Only Constant in Nashville
A new series of articles, launched by a big feature earlier this month, will explore the changes occurring in the famous and beloved city of Nashville.

Are Driverless Cars Good for Cities?
With experts predicting widespread autonomous vehicle (AV) adoption in the not-too-distant-future, many policymakers, designers, and ordinary citizens are left scratching their heads, uncertain of what to expect and how to prepare.

Debating the Legacy of the High Line
A new debate has emerged, starting from a source very close to the project, about the effects of the High Line in New York City.
Designers Propose New Development Model for NYC's Gentrifying Industrial Districts
From warehouse to art studio to luxury loft: the SoHo model of industrial-zone gentrification has become familiar around the world. A team of New York-based designers developed a proposal for spreading the benefits of economic growth in these areas.

Trump's California Double Play: Potential Fatal Blow to Commuter and High-Speed Rail
In one of her first major decisions, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao deferred a decision on a critical $647 million federal grant to electrify the 51-mile San Francisco to San Jose Caltrain line, which would also be used by high-speed rail.

Should Online Shopping Change How We Use Ground-Level Space?
Urbanist Jane Jacobs' support for mixed use development has long been seen as the best urban design strategy, but this vision assumed that the retail space under housing could be rented. What if that is no longer the case?

Seattle: Amazon's Testing Ground for Retail Experiments
Amazon Go stores started in the ground floor of an Amazon office building. The company is trying other retail experiments, like a drive-up grocery store, in Seattle, where executives can watch the experiments up close.

Remember Trump's Pledge to Save Coal Jobs?
The West's largest coal power plant and two Ohio coal plants will be closing, and the coal mines that supply them may shutter as well. The Arizona utility "is tired of overpaying for power," words that surely the president should understand.

Designing a Better Little Free Library
The care that goes into each Little Free Library makes each example special and unique. A little architectural expertise can't hurt either.
The Value of Partnerships in Community Development
Community partnerships can be an effective way to accomplish shared goals. What are the factors that make some partnerships more effective than others?

Don't Forget to #LoveThatLot This Valentine's Day
What better way to show you love for your community than by transforming its underused spaces into gathering areas for activities and fun?

Should Public Money Be Spent On Stadiums or Schools?
Is it time to re-evaluate the amount of public money utilized to subsidize sports stadiums at the expense of other community needs?

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning Responds to Trump's Travel Ban
The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) released a statement on the Trump Administration executive order that enacted a 90-day suspension of visas and other immigration benefits to all nationals of seven Middle Eastern countries.

It's Time to Prepare for Census 2020
An article for Planning magazine readies the planning profession for the largest peacetime activity of the federal government. All indications are that the 2020 Census will include unprecedented changes.

Unlikely Public Engagement Tactics Get Results for Small Towns
Four small cities across the country are seeing positive results with non-traditional public engagement strategies like bouncy castles, beer coasters, and ball games.

The (Place) Doctor Will See You Now
How a small town in Oregon used a data-driven, analytical approach towards putting policies in place to increase their economic and environmental resiliency.

In Underbanked Areas, Credit Unions Pick Up the Slack
Heard of food deserts? Some neighborhoods are banking deserts, where credit unions are the only reputable financial service providers. Now, these community institutions are getting easier access to federal recognition.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service