Community / Economic Development

Vancouver Waterfront

Gentrification and Affordability Worries Arise Over a Proposed Vancouver Tower

A 12-story residential tower proposed for a Vancouver neighborhood is receiving pushback from housing advocates and the local Chinese community.

November 12, 2015 - The Province

Reimagining LA

Are Land Use Policies Mostly Hurting the Poor?

In a new paper, researchers find that land use regulations in cities have effectively created a "zoning tax," which primarily impacts the poor and renting class.

November 12, 2015 - Market Urbanism

Detroit Vacant

Detroit Receives Funding for Another Demolition Push

A recent influx of money to Detroit for demolitions of abandoned properties brings the city's total to $107 million. That money has established Detroit as the country's proving ground for the idea that demolitions stabilize struggling neighborhoods.

November 10, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

Fund Clean Energy - Stop HRL Coal Fired power station - withdraw federal grant

Report: Cutting Urban Emissions Could Save $17 Trillion

Research from the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate recommends an emissions reduction program that might pay off big in the long term. Inter-city exchange and transit planning are key strategies.

November 10, 2015 - Urban Land Magazine

More Cities Declaring a State of Emergency Over Homelessness

Seattle is the latest city to declare a state of emergency in response to homelessness in the city. Los Angeles, Portland, and Hawaii took similar steps in recent months.

November 8, 2015 - The Seattle Times

Empty Lot

Memphis Tells Residents: If You Mow It You Can Own It

Residents who put in the effort of maintaining vacant property will have their hard work rewarded and will be offered the opportunity to purchase the property.

November 7, 2015 - Route Fifty

Breaking News: End of the Line for Keystone XL Pipeline

After TransCanada hit the "pause button," President Obama hit "reject." The seven-year saga has come to an end, announced President Obama in a noon White House statement to the press on Friday where he took no questions.

November 6, 2015 - The White House

Advice for Newly Elected Officials About Vacant and Abandoned Properties

A few words to live by for elected officials in communities working to transform vacant and abandoned properties into valued, productive uses.

November 5, 2015 - Center for Community Progress

Oakland

5 Big Ideas for Oakland

People are looking for ideas in the Bay Area. Across the water from the calcified world of San Francisco, Oakland offers the flexibility and energy to build an equitable and dynamic resource that benefits the entire region.

November 4, 2015 - SPUR Urbanist

Memphis and the Origins of the Crosstown Concourse

In an interview with Crosstown Concourse's Todd Richardson, Thriving Cities explores the challenges of revitalizing and transforming Memphis' old Sears Roebuck Building.

November 3, 2015 - Thriving Cities Blog

Making Places Where People Persevere

Of all the sub-topics in urban planning and design, the ones likely to generate the most anxiety are those where land use planning intersects with economic development. Ben Brown ruminates.

November 2, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Alberta Oil Sands

Shell Gives Another Early Christmas Gift to Environmentalists

Shell Oil surprised the environmental community in September by announcing an end to Arctic drilling. What could come next? Shell is abandoning plans for the Carmon Creek oil-sands project in Alberta and taking a $2 billion write-down.

November 2, 2015 - Bloomberg News

Ikea in Brooklyn

Does Brooklyn Suffer From a Lack of Gas Stations? The Chamber of Commerce Thinks So

For the center of the hipster universe, the Brooklyn Chamber's recommendations may come as a surprise.

November 1, 2015 - Crains New York Business

China Ends One-Child Policy

It's the end of an era. After 36 years, China has decided to end its restrictive one-child policy, by allowing couples to have two children. Why the change? In three words: an aging population.

October 30, 2015 - BBC News

West Philly Gentrification

New Research on Gentrification

Describing the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's recent study on gentrification in that city.

October 30, 2015 - Michael Lewyn

Poor Door

Op-Ed: Why Cities Need the 'Poor Door'

Drawing on a distinction between equality and equity, Rick Jacobus argues that so-called 'poor doors' are a necessary compromise to promote affordable housing and neighborhood integration.

October 29, 2015 - Rooflines

Newark and New York

Only 10 miles separate New York City and Newark, New Jersey, but the two can seem worlds apart. Damon Rich, who moved from New York in 2008 to lead Newark's planning office, speaks about how his work there has shaped his perception of both cities.

October 27, 2015 - Satellite Magazine

Car Bike Lane

Bicyclists and Sunday Drivers Clash in DC

To some, a protected bike lane saves lives; to others, it threatens the survival of a community.

October 27, 2015 - The Washington Post

Porchfest: Your Guide to a DIY Community-Building Good Time

Scott Doyon shares his thoughts on last week's Oakhurst Porchfest. Potentially useful for anyone looking to launch their own version.

October 27, 2015 - PlaceShakers

Peach Tree

Pittsburgh's Food Deserts

A map of Pittsburgh's food deserts illustrates a nationwide problem with food insecurity.

October 26, 2015 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

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.