Community / Economic Development

Nashville Neighborhood Conducts Car-Free Experiment

A neighborhood in West Nashville is in the midst of a "Don't Car Campaign," concluding on September 25, to determine just how walkable and transit-friendly their homes can be.

September 23, 2015 - Nashville Business Journal

Shepard Fairey

Street Artist Shepard Fairey Tackles Detroit

After billionaire landlord Dan Gilbert commissioned a mural, less-legal works in Fairey's style began showing up around the city. Detroit's case against the artist brings gentrification's ironies into focus.

September 22, 2015 - CityLab

Sunset Plaza

Is Tactical Urbanism a Thing?

A review of the book by Mike Lydon and Anthony Garcia asks the question. The answer is a clear "yes."

September 20, 2015 - California Planning & Development Report

FEMA Trailer

The Katrina Cottage Legacy

The New Urbanist Katrina Cottages initiative for the Gulf Coast appeared to be a failure but their legacy lives on in the SmartDwellings and in the Tiny House movement.

September 20, 2015 - Original Green

New Census Data Shows Lack of Improvement on Income, Poverty

While the Census Bureau reported impressive findings on the reduction of Americans without health insurance last year, there was nothing impressive in the numbers on income and poverty, notwithstanding an increase in employment.

September 19, 2015 - The New York Times

Coal Mining

Appalachian Coal's Last Wheezing Breath

As the nation abandons old-school West Virginia coal, a scarred and cratered landscape remains. Can residents build a new economy and overcome the legacy of an often-brutal industry?

September 18, 2015 - Grist

Tin Pan Alley in London

Small Clubs Make Creative Hubs: the Importance of Live Music Venues

Cities like London are losing their creative edge because the small music venues that foster it are being pushed out.

September 17, 2015 - The Guardian

Seattle Makes Grassroots Crosswalk Design Official

Seattle will implement a process by which neighborhoods can take the Tactical Urbanism practice of DIY sidewalks a step further—by officially approving local designs for sidewalks.

September 16, 2015 - Seattle Bike Blog

How Social Impact Bonds Close the Funding Gap

The number of social impact bond programs in the United States has expanded quickly, to eight, with examples found in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Utah, and, now, California.

September 15, 2015 - Governing

Walking

Walkability: It's About Experience

The Surgeon General's call to action, Step It Up, asks us all to get moving. And that to do that, to clear the hurdles to walkable, bikeable, rollable places. We knew that sitting is the new smoking, and now we have the full admonition to go with it.

September 15, 2015 - PlaceShakers

New York Skyline Fisheye

Happy City, Boring City? Why Liveability Does Not Equate With Greatness

A funny thing about the cities that top liveability indexes all over the world: they tend to also lack a few characteristics sought after in more challenging cities.

September 14, 2015 - Financial Times

Amsterdam Bikes

Different Spokes for Different Folks

Bike sharing and rental systems are becoming more inclusive, considering the needs of those with disabilities and children. And systems are expanding based different uses people have for different types of bicycles.

September 13, 2015 - Jennifer Evans-Cowley

Detroit

Dan Gilbert's Detroit Buying Spree Continues

The Quicken Loans founder and real estate mogul now controls 78 downtown properties. His investment choices can set the tone for life in what used to be an abandoned city center.

September 13, 2015 - Detroit Free Press

Deepening the Alliance Between the Planning and Public Health Professions

The Plan4Health program has provided an avenue for chapters of the American Public Health Association and the American Planning Association to fund and complete projects that improve the public health outcomes of the built environment.

September 11, 2015 - The Nation's Health

Community Engagement

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.

September 9, 2015 - James Rojas

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.

September 9, 2015 - ULI Urban Land Magazine

Astoria Oregon

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.

September 8, 2015 - JPER

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.

September 8, 2015 - Bay Area Reporter

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.

September 5, 2015 - Brookings

The Influence of Public Works on Gentrification

New research examines the role of public investments in gentrification.

September 3, 2015 - CityLab

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.