Community / Economic Development

New York Skyline Fisheye

London School of Economics: Cities Should Adopt '3C Model' for Growth

A report from the London School of Economics focuses on the growth of cities around the world between 2012 and 2030, proposing a "3C model" for growth to ensure economic prosperity and to limit emissions.

November 26, 2014 - LSE Cities

After the Streetcar: What Next for Arlington Affordable Housing, Transit?

A collection of media coverage since the decision examines how Arlington will achieve its goals now that it voted to end funding for a $333-million plan to build a 7.4-mile streetcar line down Columbia Pike.

November 25, 2014 - Washingtonian

Historic, Green, Affordable, and at (Some) Scale?

Iberville Offsites received the 2014 National Trust/HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for restoration of homes as low-income affordable housing

November 25, 2014 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Cincinnati Hopes to Stay on a Roll with New Development Director Oscar Bedolla

Cincinnati recently hired Oscar Bedolla as its new trade and development director. Bedolla will play a key role in facilitating development in a city hoping to maintain its current upswing.

November 25, 2014 - Cincinnati Business Courier

Crumbling concrete bridge

60 Minutes Examines America's Failing Infrastructure

Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes reviews road, rail, bridges, and ports to see how much investment is needed to improve the country's infrastructure, beginning in Pittsburgh and ending at a key Amtrak rail bridge in New Jersey.

November 25, 2014 - CBS News: 60 Minutes

Land Trusts: the Middle Ground of Housing

The Boston Globe recently ran an op-ed in support of community land trusts and inclusionary housing, which was penned by the National Housing Institute/Shelterforce and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

November 25, 2014 - Boston Globe

Disappointment, Pessimism, Rage: Is this America at Middle Age?

Community conversations often devolve. Could it be partly due to the "midlife crisis" of the North American demographic? Can we look forward to a time of more social connectedness in the next decade, as we recalibrate to less "me," more "we?"

November 24, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Hidden New York City

Managing the 'Uneven Growth' of the Urban Boom

A new exhibit at the New York Museum of Modern Art examines the growing pains of urbanism's ascendance.

November 24, 2014 - Next City

Focus on Scale-Up, Not Start-Up

Jose Corona of Inner City Advisors urges: to truly transform local neighborhoods, we must shift our attention to invest in enterprise scale, not start-ups, as a long-lasting solution for creating good jobs.

November 23, 2014 - Shelterforce Magazine

Inglewood Mayor Rebrands a City Once Known for Crime

James Butts is committed to turning Inglewood around, with economic investment and property development now on the rise.

November 22, 2014 - The Planning Report

Selling Urbanism: Don’t be an Aristarchus

As urban planners, we must not only innovate, but make our innovations count in the marketplace of ideas. We must make the benefits of livability easily understood, with a clear path for making them happen. Scott Doyon encourages rooted innovation.

November 21, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Shadow Transnationalism and Planning

The Chester Rapkin award goes to University of Oregon's Gerardo Sandoval for work on the impact of transnational communities and planning.

November 20, 2014 - JPER

Whole Foods Moving into a Food Desert in Chicago's Englewood Neighborhood

Why would Whole Foods—a company colloquially known as "Whole Paycheck" and as a staple of wealthy neighborhoods—open an 18,000-square-foot location in one of the most impoverished parts of Chicago?

November 20, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

How D.C.'s Historic Buildings—Some in Danger—Enrich its Neighborhoods

Historic buildings add character to neighborhoods. When torn down, pieces of history are also stripped from the city; when restored, they can act as catalysts for revitalization.

November 19, 2014 - Elevation DC

San Francisco Monopoly

Cities Dominating the Economic Recovery

The affordability crisis and congestion are just two of the signs of the dominance of cities in the economic recovery, according to an article in the Washington Post. In fact, outside of cities, it doesn't look much like a recovery at all.

November 19, 2014 - The Washington Post

Urban Churches Adapt to a Changing City

In Washington, D.C., residents, shops and restaurants come and go, often moving from neighborhood to neighborhood. But churches remain. They anchor the community as it changes, and often find themselves changing with it.

November 18, 2014 - Elevation DC

Grocery Store Walk

The Neighborhood Effect: How Place Impacts Upward Mobility

A new blog post from Jonathan Rothwell discusses the impact of neighborhoods on upward mobility.

November 18, 2014 - Brookings Institution

Key to Community Partnerships: Don't Walk Away in Anger

In a plot line of the documentary Gaining Ground, the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative fights to keep the lines of communication open with a large, partner nonprofit when a major conflict threatens their relationship.

November 18, 2014 - Rooflines

Want a Stronger Economy? Focus More on Racial Inclusion

"We asked the question: How much higher would total earnings and economic output have been in 2012 if racial differences in income were eliminated"...

November 16, 2014 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Toledo Healthcare Nonprofit Wants City Parkland for a Parking Garage

ProMedica is a locally owned nonprofit healthcare organization that is in the process of moving 900 employees from various suburban locations in the Toledo area into its newly renovated riverfront headquarters in Downtown Toledo.

November 14, 2014 - The Toledo Blade

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.

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.