Community / Economic Development
Chicago Changing the Local Investment Game
With the announcement of a $100 million infusion into a local investment fund, Chicago will become the first city to fund in ways usually reserved for the federal government.

Debate: Growing the Economy From the Supply Side
Two economists discuss how specific kinds of deregulation could speed up growth. They emphasize planning issues: local overregulation of development and the high cost of infrastructure, among others.
Reno, Throwing Away Benches to be 'Business Friendly'
Reno's blight initiative drew criticism when it removed 68 benches from a park it was renovating.

Chicago TOD Strategies: Sum Of Parts Equal, Greater Than the Whole
A successful TOD will be predicated upon three core elements: 1) development; 2) transit; and 3) transit-friendly amenities. While focus tends to be on the first two elements, this article provides insights on the importance of the third element.
Replicas of Mid-Century Towns Built to Aid the Memories of Alzheimer's Patients
The Glenner Town Square development in Chula Vista, California will be one of the first "immersive facilities" in the United States, designed to trigger memories for Alzheimer's patients.
Tracking the Growth of the 'Gig Economy' in U.S. Cities
The Brookings Institute thinks it has found a way to measure the impact of the expanding 'gig economy'—i.e., freelancing work enabled by online platforms like Airbnb and Uber.
Philadelphia Renaissance Threatens Working Diamond District
Heretofore preservationists in the City of Brotherly Love have been focused on finding new uses for vacant, historic buildings, but the city's economic resurgence now threatens five, occupied low-rise buildings city's in vibrant Jewelers Row.

The New Definition of Global City, Fit for a New World
The Brookings Institution's Global Cities Initiative recently released a report proposing a new definition for global cities, which is actually seven definitions.

Fact Check: What's Really Going on in 'Inner Cities'?
One of the few mentions of cities during the second presidential debate came when Donald Trump described the states of "inner cities" in the country. The explanation didn't sit well with some experts.

Job Growth Accelerates in Urban Centers, Slows on the Periphery
City centers have caught up to suburbs in terms of economic performance, according to new analysis.

Op-Ed: Programming the First Priority for Keeping Public Spaces Safe
Providence, Rhode Island is looking ways to make Kennedy Plaza, located in the city's downtown, safe for all users. Increased law enforcement in only one way to achieve that goal, according to an op-ed in the Providence Journal.

Ryan Gravel Speaks Out After Resigning from the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership
Streetsblog USA shares an interview with the visionary behind the Atlanta BeltLine, who discusses how the city's booming economy has conflicted with the mission of the project.

Ranking the Ten Most Unequal U.S. Cities
According to a recent ranking by Bloomberg, Miami is the most unequal city in America.

Richard Florida on the Perils of Gentrification
Florida discusses a recent study that emphasizes how new the back-to-the-city movement is, how white it is, and what that means for the people it pushes out.
Friday Eye Candy: The Poetry of the Urban
A survey of the long history of poetry connected of the urban experience—from the 18th century to the Beat poets of the 20th century and the Hip Hop artists of today.

Pushing for Universal Access in the New Urban Agenda
The New Urban Agenda, which sets a new global strategy for sustainable urbanization, still has shortcomings regarding universal access for people with special needs.

New Orleans Leverages New Federal Housing Rule as Gentrification Tool
New Orleans is among the first cities to respond to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Affirmatively Furthering Affordable Housing rule.
High Hopes for New Developments in the Chicago Neighborhood of Englewood
Chicago's Englewood neighborhood recently saw the opening of a Whole Foods, Starbucks, and other retailers in a bit of a good news, for a neighborhood that's challenged by low employment and high violence.

Los Angeles Leader Steps Up On Homelessness Crisis
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, a veteran leader at the city, county, and state-level, addresses the funding gaps to address this urgent issue and shares some innovative models being deployed by the county.
Planning for a Microgrid: Santa Monica Reclaims Industrial Space for Renewable Energy
Cities throughout California, including Santa Monica, have been awarded research and development funding through the California Energy Commission to plan community-scale microgrid solutions.
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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