Community / Economic Development

A Planning Primer: Validating the Lived Experiences of Immigrants
A few key considerations, implemented during a public engagement process, can ensure active and engaged participation from commonly marginalized groups and individuals.
Development Brings Educational Component to Mixed-Use Project
New mixed-use Prairiefire development in Overland Park, Kansas, combines a museum with retail, entertainment, and housing space to respond to strong demographics in an increasingly-competitive environment.

Oregon Is Not Just Portland: Planning a Sustainable Economy in Peripheral Areas of the American West
Dr. Robert Young of UT-Austin guest blogs about his work on the challenges of promoting sustainable development in peripheral areas of Oregon.
Proposed Parklet Divides San Francisco Gay Neighborhood
A small cafe in San Francisco's gay neighborhood, the Castro, proposed a parklet on two parking spaces that is dividing merchants. Some see it as a potential haven for homeless and illegal activity, as well as objecting to the loss of parking.
Labor Day Means the End for Many Transportation Sector Jobs
A Brookings Institution reports calls on policy makers to ensure appropriate investments and programs to support workers in the transportation sector.
The Influence of Public Works on Gentrification
New research examines the role of public investments in gentrification.
The Lost History of D.C.'s Murals
Washington City Paper creates a record of the many murals that have been lost to new construction and shifting demographics in neighborhoods around Washington, D.C.

Is 'Brain Drain' a Legitimate Problem?
According to analysts like Aaron Renn, the exodus of educated Millennials from what some perceive to be less-glamorous cities shouldn't signal impending doom. For one thing, brain drain might not be happening at all.

Conflicting Stories From Los Angeles' Skid Row
As the city considers new ordinances making it easier for police to break up homeless camps, residents say forced displacement is already underway. Police deny an increase in homeless sweeps.

Aging Boomer Suburbanites: The Coming Transit Disaster
The suburbs are not conducive to the aging baby boomers that populate them. How do we prepare?

First Rail Link in a Over a Century Now Connects U.S., Mexico
Instead of building a wall separating the United States and Mexico, officials from both countries celebrated the opening on Tuesday of the West Rail Bypass International Bridge.
Using Vacant Property Registration Fee Ordinances to Fix Blight
Planners get involved with foreclosure by assisting residents threatened with foreclosure or addressing community impacts such as blight, vacancy, and property disinvestment. A look at vacant property fees as a tool for dealing with foreclosure.

Big Money Floods Venice Beach
Is a gentrified Venice Beach still Venice Beach? With median home prices topping $1.4 million, the area's eclectic characters can't afford to stay. Investors and the tech industry say the change is only natural.
Global Call for Ideas Reveals Promising Resilience Solutions
Superstorm Sandy spurred the New York City Economic Development Corporation to form the RISE:NYC program, a global competition for innovative solutions to post-disaster resiliency. Arup's Sarah Wesseler spoke with them to learn more.

What Is a 'Great' Neighborhood? An Analysis of APA's Top-Rated Places
A study recently published in the Journal of the American Planning Association finds that the APA's definition of "great neighborhoods" might be leaving low-income and minority populations behind.
Community Ties in the Era of Isolation
Connectivity may form the bedrock of what we call "resilience" but we're just not all that neighborly these days. Can we become more competitive and lasting by restitching our threadbare community fabric?
Atlanta's Midtown Achieving 'Tech Hub' Status
Companies looking for creative class cache have begun to locate in Atlanta's Midtown and spilling over into neighboring districts.
Is the Local NFL Team Hurting the Local College Team and the Local Economy?
Studies show building NFL stadiums drain tax revenues and don't boost local economies. What about NFL teams themselves? Land use attorney (and football fan) Bill Adams argues that they rob support from local college teams and local economies.
HUD Grants $24 Million for Community Development Pool in North St. Louis
The federal government offered to $24 million to create a loan pool in struggling areas of North St. Louis County—most infamously displayed to the country over the past year in the intense racial conflicts centering around Ferguson.
Terms and Concepts for Understanding Land Banks
Clarifying some of the jargon that drives the land bank process in Cuyahoga County, Ohio reveals the importance and scale of neighborhood stabilization in some parts of the country.
Pagination
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.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie