Community / Economic Development

Screen shot of map from Wisconsin PFAS Interactive Data Viewer.

New Book Highlights How GIS Improves Outcomes

Esri Press recently published a digital book called Mapping the Nation which demonstrates how a geographic approach guides important decisions and addresses challenges around the globe.

February 20, 2024 - ESRI

CLose-up of pothole in asphalt road filled with water reflecting grey cloudy sky.

Poor Road Quality Leading to Higher Gas Use

Commuters in Massachusetts communities with worse roads use more gas, with the costs disproportionately impacting low-income households.

February 15, 2024 - University of Massachusetts Amherst

Barren rocky landscape against teal sky.

5 Urban Planning Ideas for How to Settle Mars

Colonization of the Red Planet is a hot topic of late. If someone were to try to take it from fantasy to reality, Earth's urban planners have a few tips that could help set future Martian cities up for success.

February 12, 2024 - Justin B. Hollander

Colorful streetcar on street in downtown Detroit, Michigan.

The Link Between Transit Access and Employment

Inadequate access to transportation hinders many Americans’ access to job opportunities.

February 12, 2024 - Capital News Service

Downtown Des Moines, Iowa skyline.

Des Moines Plans to Repurpose Downtown Parking Lots

City officials want to encourage the redevelopment of underused surface parking lots.

February 7, 2024 - Axios

Close-up of pink cherry blossoms with red Lunar New Year banner.

Parks and Gardens as Spaces to Celebrate Lunar New Year

Parks and gardens serve as communal spaces that bring people together. As such, there are good reasons for them to host events and activities that celebrate Lunar New Year, an important festival deeply rooted in Asian cultures.

February 4, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Black woman in brown sweatershirt and Black man in purple sweatshirt stand in front of food truck.

Black Urban Planners Are Redesigning Communities to Help People of African Descent Thrive

Changing the legacy of racist planning policies requires a creative vision, practical solutions, and centering of the Black experience.

February 2, 2024 - Word In Black

Close-up of sign on chain link fence "City of Flint Water Plant" with hours.

EPA Drops More Civil Rights Investigations

A lawsuit that halted an investigation in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’ is having a chilling impact on other environmental justice cases.

February 2, 2024 - Word In Black

Graphic for The Planning Commission Podcast episode with photo of Dan Burden in safety vest speaking to crowd.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle: Exploring the Career of the Legendary Dan Burden

Dan Burden joins The Planning Commission Podcast for a look back on his career, his accomplishments, and what's next for The Johnny Appleseed of Walkability.

January 30, 2024 - The Planning Commission Podcast

Two delivery bikes riding through intersection in New York City.

New City Office Will Regulate NYC Delivery Bikes and Scooters

The department is designed to help the city regulate small delivery vehicles, manage curb space and congestion, and prepare for new technology like delivery drones.

January 30, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Expositoin park enrtance sign in Los Angeles, California with tall palm tree in background.

The Importance of LA's Exposition Park

Centrally located in Los Angeles, Exposition Park is a 160-acre urban park that is home to key recreational, cultural, educational, and athletic institutions and facilities. Learn more about the park from its general manager Andrea Ambriz.

January 29, 2024 - California Natural Resources Agency

Corner store in San Francisco

How to Participate in Post-Pandemic Urban Resilience

In a summary of a recent talk, Chuck Wolfe provides five tools to help reimagine post-pandemic urban spaces with a focus on livability and co-creation.

January 29, 2024 - Medium

People on bikes riding across 4th Street Bridge in Los Angeles during 2010 CicLAvia event.

LA Metro Could Slash Open Streets Funding

Despite the program’s success across the region and rising production costs, Los Angeles-area events could receive less funding in the coming year.

January 25, 2024 - Streetsblog LA

Aerial view of stacked shipping containers at golden hour at Port of Long Beach, California.

Port of Long Beach Begins Massive Rail Yard Expansion

The project, which will break ground this summer, is expected to dramatically curb emissions from trucking.

January 23, 2024 - L.A. Business First

Large empty office building floor with columns and golden hour light.

One-fifth of Southern California Office Space is Vacant

Office buildings continue to lose tenants as the remote work trend persists.

January 22, 2024 - Orange County Register

View of Chicago river and waterfront with boats at night.

Designing the Path to a Consequential Place

What is public interest design? And what should we be considering as we shape a process that fully embraces and realizes a project’s public interest potential? Understanding these key principles and characteristics can help.

January 22, 2024 - Studio Civic | Pulse

Bird's eye view of park with green trees, concrete walkways, and benches on lake or riverfront.

Latest Trends in Parks and Recreation

Learn about the top trends impacting parks and recreation, including the use of mobile phone data to track park usage, impacts of climate change, rise of pickleball, a four-day work week, and more.

January 22, 2024 - Parks and Recreation Magazine

View of wide, deserted-looking street with arched sign reading "Fresno - Best little city in the U.S.A. - Van Ness Avenue - Entrance" in Fresno, California.

Fresno Pins Economic Hopes on High-Speed Rail

The Central Valley town anticipates an economic boost when the long-awaited California High-Speed Rail begins operations.

January 10, 2024 - CALmatters

Wildfire approaching stucco house with red tile roof.

Home Insurance Increasingly Unaffordable or Inaccessible

Homeowners in places at risk for wildfires and other disasters find it harder than ever to secure an affordable insurance policy as companies leave some states altogether.

January 10, 2024 - High Country News

Aerial view of Richmond, Virginia skyline with river in foreground against sunset sky.

Opinion: Affordable Housing Key Component of Economic Strategy

As the Richmond area grows, having a greater availability of affordable housing could be crucial to maintaining a strong local workforce.

January 9, 2024 - Richmond Times-Dispatch

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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.