Community / Economic Development

Polling Place

Primaries vs. Caucuses from a Planner's Perspective

In the middle of presidential primary season, the debate about the caucus vs. primary processes is hot with criticisms being leveled on both sides. What can planners learn about this debate to help improve community engagement for planning?

April 20, 2016 - Dave Biggs

From Ideas to Action: Cheaply, Quickly, Fairly

Applying ideas of Lean Urbanism to the charrette process can establish an agreement about values and rules for planning in ways that make it renewable.

April 20, 2016 - PlaceShakers

Many Benefits Expected for Changes to Rockaway Community

Officials see chance to move residents out of flood zone, improving access to beach, and deliver affordable housing and infrastructure.

April 20, 2016 - The Wall Street Journal

Inside One of the Detroit Region's 'Forgotten Neighborhoods'

The success stories about Detroit leave out big pieces of the puzzle, including some just outside of city limits. The Detroit News looks at the ongoing struggles of one of the forgotten neighborhoods in the suburb of South Warren.

April 19, 2016 - The Detroit News

HUD's Resilience Revolution

The United States Housing and Urban Development agency is utilizing new ways to empower communities to become resilient ones. The agency's National Disaster Resilience Competition is one way they are helping cities around the U.S. achieve just that.

April 19, 2016 - Doggerel

Welcome to Kansas

Closer to a Truce in an Economic Development Border War

The border between Kansas and Missouri has long been the grounds for acts of "jobs piracy"—also known as offering larger and more lucrative tax and financial incentives to bring new business across state borders.

April 18, 2016 - Kansas City Business Journal

Colorado Releases New Resiliency Guide for Local Governments

Colorado Department of Local Affairs releases "Planning for Hazards: Land Use Solutions for Colorado," a guide and website to help Colorado agencies prepare for natural disasters and reduce risks through resilience and hazard mitigation.

April 16, 2016 - Colorado DOLA Press Release

TOD: The 'T' Stands for 'Trail'

Planning for active transportation is the new trend in urban development, according to the Urban Land Institute—and it pays off.

April 16, 2016 - The Architects Newspaper

Pop Up Protected Bike Lanes

Six Good, Duplicable Ideas for Cities

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Here's hoping these winning ideas for cities are exported around the country.

April 15, 2016 - Fast Co.Exist

A Critical Take on Public Engagement

Zelda Bronstein makes plenty of points likely to inspire disagreement among planners in this argument calling for a better form of public engagement—one that's substantive and integral, not an afterthought.

April 14, 2016 - 48 hills

Library Hours in New York City Show Huge Improvements

A study by the Center for Urban Future reveals library hours in New York City to have improved a great deal in recent years—while still lagging behind state and national averages.

April 14, 2016 - Center For An Urban Future

Kentucky Governor Signs No-Toll Bill, Likely Sets Back Ohio River Bridge 10 Years

As promised, Gov. Matt Bevin signed the P3 bill that allows private funding, but bans tolls, to pay for the $2.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge project over the Ohio River that connects Covington, Ky. to Cincinnati. Now he needs to find the funding.

April 14, 2016 - Cincinnati Enquirer

APA 2016 award

Community Engagement Highlights from APA 2016

As I do every year at the APA National Conference, I did my best to catch as many community engagement sessions as possible. Here are highlights, takeaways, and the common threads I noticed this year.

April 14, 2016 - Dave Biggs

Boston Working to Keep Construction Hiring Local and Diverse

The city of Boston is working to ensure that a diverse collection of residents are benefitting from the fruits of the city's current building boom.

April 13, 2016 - The Boston Globe

Study: Geography Matters for Life Expectancy of Low Income Residents

A new study, released this week, reveals the connections between geography and life expectancy.

April 12, 2016 - The New York Times

Coming to Grips With Post-Coal Reality in Wyoming

The state of Wyoming made billions in tax revenues off the coal industry. But after waves of layoffs, those left in the state are asking: What's left of those revenues for workers?

April 11, 2016 - WyoFile

Economic Development in Eagle, CO: A Riverfront Park and Whitewater Play Area

A sure way to turn out the vote in Eagle, Colorado: hold an election asking for a new sales tax to fund a whitewater play park on the local river. Voters overwhelmingly supported the project.

April 9, 2016 - The Denver Post

Routes of Change: a One-Man Journey Around the World Without a Motor

Markus Pukonen is circumnavigating the planet without a motor to raise awareness for the global community and to create positive change.

April 8, 2016 - Routes of Change

Bethlehem

Book Review: From Steel to Slots

Chloe E. Taft explores the transition of Bethlehem, Pa., from Rust Belt company town to gambling mecca.

April 7, 2016 - Josh Stephens

Walters Art Museum - Architecture (3 of 5)

Debating the Future of Baltimore: New Urbanism vs. Global Starchitecture

Pritzker Prize winner Thom Mayne and leading New Urbanist planner Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk squared off in a debate about the future of Baltimore.

April 7, 2016 - ASLA The Dirt

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.