Community / Economic Development

Support for Walmart Grows Nationally

Opposition to Walmart is now holding at just 50 percent, when people are asked how they would feel if a Walmart was proposed "in your community." Support for Walmart is up 16 percentage points since 2006.

June 19, 2015 - The Saint Index

Seattle skyline

What Cities Can Learn From Companies Migrating to Downtown

The Core Values: Why American Companies are Moving Downtown report, released on June 18, 2015, provides in-depth analysis of a powerful trend of companies investing in urban downtowns.

June 19, 2015 - Smart Growth America

Paterson: A Postindustrial Portrait

Once a major industrial hub, Paterson, NJ has experienced urban decline since the end of World War II. But the city is rich with history and opportunities for revival. The article chronicles how the city can avail these opportunities through design.

June 18, 2015 - Doggerel

Learning from New York City's Economic Development Engine

Since 2012, New York City has implemented its vision for economic development through NYCEDC, a non-profit corporation charged with deploying city assets to stimulate economic growth.

June 18, 2015 - The Planning Report

'Funding Drought' Declared Over for Economic Development in Cincinnati

A year after Ohio community development groups received $0 in New Market Tax Credits for the first time ever, the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. is ready to declare the end of the funding drought.

June 17, 2015 - Cincinnati Business Courier

Responsible Tourism

Communities across America are competing for tourist dollars, but what can they do to stand out from the crowd? Ed McMahon shares ten principles to "preserve the goose that lays the golden egg."

June 16, 2015 - Community Builders

Mo' Money, Mo' Problems: Community Edition

Do we ever reach a point as a community wherein our problems are behind us? Sorry, but no. If anything, it gets more complicated.

June 15, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Elysian Valley Home

Residents Want a Say as Los Angeles Neighborhood Changes

The big market forces of Los Angeles long ignored Elysian Valley, colloquially called Frogtown. But now the neighborhood has hip cachet and residents are organizing to have a say as the area changes.

June 15, 2015 - Los Angeles Review of Books

Small Town Pedestrian

The Walkable, Healthy Rural Community: A Case Study

Albert Lea, Minnesota proves that small towns can reinvent themselves—often faster than big cities—and that walkable communities aren't only possible in urban neighborhoods.

June 13, 2015 - MinnPost

Harvard Report: Fracking Yields Equity Gains for American Workforce

A new Harvard Business School report lays the economic and equity case for fracking—through direct and indirect job creation, America's middle class is reaping substantial wage gains and reduced energy costs. Renewables are also discussed.

June 12, 2015 - NPR Morning Edition

Mental Map

Using Neuroscience to Build Neighborhoods

The brain has a complex, ancient relationship with place. Mental maps are the manifestation of our brains' perception of place and wayfinding. These maps can have profound impacts on how residents appreciate, and improve, their neighborhoods.

June 11, 2015 - Pacific Standard

Youngstown, Ohio

Youngstown: Another Downtown Revitalizes

Earning negative press as a put-America-back-to-work campaign stop, the Ohio city also suffered from reported connections to crime. Now private developers are working alongside Youngstown State to bring people back.

June 11, 2015 - New York Times

Detroit's Vacant Properties Strategy Explained

The Detroit Free Press offers clear analysis of the multiple ongoing efforts in Detroit to improve vacant and blighted properties and return them to the benefit of the city's neighborhoods and residents.

June 10, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

New York City Construction

U.S. Opposition to New Development

New data from the 2015 Saint Index shows what projects provoke the most opposition in the United States when proposed "In your community."

June 10, 2015 - The 2015 Saint Index

McKinney: Public, Private Divide Often Follows Race

Urbanism media noted the growing privatization of recreation facilities, such as pools, as one of the lessons to be taken from a controversial encounter between police and black teenagers in McKinney, Texas over the weekend.

June 9, 2015 - The Atlantic

Bus Stop Winter

People Still Want Buses, But Buses Aren't Delivering

Urban light rail has enjoyed a renaissance since the Great Recession, but during the same period cities have quietly reduced bus service. Daniel Hertz argues that while rail is commendable, buses remain a vital transit component.

June 8, 2015 - City Observatory City Commentary

Should Young Artists Move to Detroit?

Two University of North Carolina School of the Arts students spend a month investigating the artistic climate of Detroit and whether it's a place where young theater artists should move.

June 8, 2015 - Investigate Detroit

McMansion

More McMansions: Upscaling Suburbia

According to this article, the market forces behind large home construction are alive and well. In a process of suburban gentrification, developers purchase older, smaller homes and build "McMansions" in their place.

June 8, 2015 - Bloomberg

One57

Why New York Barely Taxes Its Billionaires

If taxed at an average rate, the buyer of One57's $100.5 million penthouse should have paid $1.3 million in property taxes. Instead, the property was assessed at $17,000. Here's why.

June 6, 2015 - CityLab

San Francisco Houses

San Francisco's Proposed Housing Moratorium Is a Bad Idea

After San Francisco Supervisors reject housing moratorium, proponents vow ballot initiative. But a moratorium is the wrong solution to the problem and would likely lead to continued price increases, condo conversions, and Ellis Act evictions.

June 4, 2015 - Reuben Duarte

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.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

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.