Community / Economic Development

Where Trump's Trade Policies Are Likely to Have the Largest Effect
Time will tell whether President Trump is able to enact any of the ambitious trade policies he proposed on the campaign trail, but research shows the cities that will prosper or suffer based on the success of those initiatives.

Los Angeles Bans Sleeping in Cars
Critics of new regulations by the city of Los Angeles that ban sleeping in cars and RVs overnight say the new restrictions amount to a ban on homeless people.

Public Space Offering Surprising Lessons While Hosting Trump Protests
Christopher Hawthorne examines the unprecedented protests of the Women's March and the more recent airport protests for lessons in the understanding and appreciation of public space.

Is This a Way Forward for Urban Farming?
Pulling in community members and a network of local nonprofits, Phoenix's "Spaces of Opportunity" is an attempt to make urban farming something more than a catchphrase.

Know of Any 'Suburbs in Name Only'?
No cities are entirely urban, or even similar from one neighborhood to the next. The Corner Side Yard has some fun thinking about which Chicago neighborhoods we "Chicago in Name Only" and which of its suburbs are "Suburbs in Name Only."

Immigration Tied to Economic Success
City Observatory's Joe Cortright examines how immigration rates affect regional economic development. This research indicate that policies that exclude immigrants are not only mean, they are also stupid.

Urban Renewal Alive and Well in the Suburbs of Atlanta
The practice facility for a new Major League Soccer franchise was made possible by the demolition aging and affordable apartment buildings.

How to Empower Renters
Renters who care about neighborhood issues have avenues for creating change, but they need to be savy about getting their message across.

A Community Planning Process—Even a Good One—Is Not Enough
Simply inviting residents to participate in design charrettes or a community planning process does not mitigate the significant loss they feel as they witness the physical destruction of their homes and lived history.

Preserving the Character of Little Tokyo
In the wake of rapid gentrification, an organization in Los Angeles is leveraging the arts to celebrate a community's rich heritage and keep social equity a priority.

The Milwaukee Bucks Enter the Placemaking Business
Following the lead set by other franchises, professional sports teams are becoming real estate developers seeking to create vibrant places that attract commerce on non-game days.
Get Ready for a Wave of Federal Land Transfers in Western States
It's the antithesis of what former President Obama and his predecessors did when they gave federal lands and waters more protection. But don't blame Trump's executive actions for this one (not yet, anyway), as it's being proposed by Congress.

Hundreds of Stores to Close After Another Weak Holiday Season for Chain Retailers
Sears, Macy's, and The Limited are among chain apparel stores closing locations all around the United States.

Chicago Could Lose the Blues
An editorial in Crain's suggests that by not taking full advantage of its history with the Blues, Chicago is wasting a precious cultural resource and missing an opportunity for tourism dollars.

Proposed Law Would Curb Late-Night Partying in New Orleans
A string of shootings on Bourbon Street in New Orleans have inspired the mayor to propose a package of new security measures. One of the proposals would cut back the city's all-night revelry.

Trump Reverses Obama's Rejections of Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines
Fulfilling two campaign promises, President Trump conditionally approved two controversial pipelines to transport oil sands from Alberta and Bakken oil from North Dakota, certain to stir opposition from environmentalists and Native Americans.

Republican Bills Would Gut HUD's 'Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing' Rule
Republican-sponsored congressional legislation would rescind a landmark achievement of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Obama Administration.

To Meet Climate Change Goals, San Francisco Tries Networking
San Francisco's Business Council on Climate Change serves as a 'convener' between municipal government and the private sector to tackle issues related to climate change. Writer Andrew Wade spoke with the Council's executive director, Michael Parks.

Urban Cycling Revolution Under Threat by 'Shights' Epidemic (Satire)
Researchers have detected a disease threatening cycling infrastructure investment. Although city administrators continue to invest in living streets, until cyclists becomes self-aware, the automobile will continue to dominate cities.

China Cancels 103 Coal Power Plants; Still Has Too Much Coal Capacity
The cuts mean that China is on target to meet its coal power generation limit for year 2020. But even with the cancellations, China will have surplus coal power resulting in underutilization of renewable power due to preference for coal by utilities.
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