Community / Economic Development

Can Detroit's Comeback Benefit Everyone?

Suzette Hackney, a former Detroit Free Press journalist, expresses her concern about who is getting left out of Detroit's comeback story.

October 5, 2014 - Politico Magazine

Portland Transit Mall

Neighborhoods, Streets, and Public Space: 30 'Great Places in America'

The American Planning Association (APA) has released its annual list of 10 Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets, and 10 Great Public Spaces.

October 2, 2014 - American Planning Association

Calgary Church

The Faith-Based Gap in the Institutional Landscape of Cities

By focusing on their common interest in working toward the public good, the gap between faith-based institutions and the planning processes of their communities can be bridged.

October 2, 2014 - Milton Friesen

Shepard Fairey

Gentrification's Liberal Enablers

Gavin Mueller writes a withering critique of the forces behind gentrification and the liberal justifications that allow poverty and racism to persist.

October 2, 2014 - Jacobin

Why Smart Cities Must be Sharing Cities

Julian Agyeman and Duncan McLaren make the case that the only smart city is a shareable city.

September 30, 2014 - Zocalo Public Square

A Call to Protect Cultural Institutions from Urban Renewal

While considering plans for a large urban renewal project in Hollywood, Los Angeles struggles to avoid throwing out the baby with the bathwater—that is, saving a place for small cultural institutions when redeveloping neighborhoods.

September 29, 2014 - The Architect's Newspaper

Rural Community

Quality of Life Driving 'Brain Gain' in Rural Communities

Many rural counties are experiencing “brain gains” as newcomers age 30-49 move in. This migration is keeping small towns alive and contributing to a new narrative about rural places.

September 27, 2014 - CommunityMatters

The Race to Map Brazil's Favelas

In an effort to tap into new users, companies like Google and Microsoft are racing to map the winding, informal streets of Brazil's slums in Rio de Janeiro.

September 25, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

6 Questions to Consider for Digital Public Engagement Planning

Digital engagement is the latest buzz when it comes to public participation. If your town is thinking about diving into the digital realm, consider these six questions.

September 25, 2014 - CommunityMatters

Athens Plans Massive City Park in Derelict Olympic Footprint

With an ailing economy and soaring unemployment, the city of Athens, Greece is planning on selling 6.2 million square meters to Lamda Development SA.

September 25, 2014 - This City Life

Report Reveals Imbalanced Investments for Atlanta's BeltLine

While the neighborhoods on northern segments of the Atlanta's BeltLine has received 94 percent of funding invested towards parks and trails, segments to the south have received 86 percent of affordable housing investments.

September 25, 2014 - SaportaReport

What's Your 'Elevator Pitch' for Greener, Healthier Cities?

Kaid Benfield shares his placemaking pitch.

September 24, 2014 - NRDC Switchboard

New York City Greenwich

New York City BIDs Have Indifferent Impacts on Economic Growth

"Rather than serving as a buffer against economic decline for independent retailers, it seems that Community BIDs are a hindrance to sales and employment growth..." writes Dr. Stacey Sutton in the Journal of Planning Education & Research.

September 24, 2014 - JPER

Pittsburgh's 'Sociable City Plan' Balances Nightlife Impacts

Following a pilot project tested on the city's South Side, Pittsburgh is working toward expanding its "Sociable City Plan" to four additional neighborhoods in need of balancing unruly behavior with the benefits of an active nightlife scene.

September 22, 2014 - Pittsburg Post-Gazette

Redevelopment of GM Plant in Doraville, Georgia Would Be Region's Largest TOD

A redevelopment project in Doraville, outside of Atlanta, is touted as potentially of catalytic significance for the region, thanks in part to the location of a MARTA station next door.

September 22, 2014 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Glenwood Green Acres, Philadelphia

13 Small Ideas with Big Potential for Cities

Making no little plans is all well and good, but sometimes it is the smallest ideas that can have the biggest impacts for cities and neighborhoods.

September 21, 2014 - Flying Kite

'Louisville Food Hub' Central to Economic Development Plans

A public-private partnership will create the "Louisville Food Hub" in the West End neighborhood. Mayor Greg Fischer suggested that the hub might be more critical to the revitalization of the neighborhood than a proposed Wal-Mart.

September 21, 2014 - The Courier-Journal

Grand Ambitions for $7 Billion Investment in Washington D.C.'s Union Station

The Washington Post provides all the details, renderings, history, commentary, and more that one could want about Amtrak's proposed $7 billion investment in Daniel Burnham's historic Union Station.

September 20, 2014 - The Washington Post

Portland's Unclear Future as a Young Retirement Community

Portland's over-educated, under-employed population is largely a semi-retired community of young adults, according to some. But with rising housing prices and overall cost of living, it is unclear how Portland will retain these characteristics.

September 18, 2014 - The New York Times Magazine

Why Placemaking Matters: What's in it for Me?

What's your elevator pitch on why placemaking matters? Here's a couple rounded up by Hazel Borys, and some numbers that help refine their message.

September 16, 2014 - PlaceShakers

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.