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.

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.

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.

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.
Why Smart Cities Must be Sharing Cities
Julian Agyeman and Duncan McLaren make the case that the only smart city is a shareable city.
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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What's Your 'Elevator Pitch' for Greener, Healthier Cities?
Kaid Benfield shares his placemaking pitch.

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.
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.
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.

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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
Pagination
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.
City of Fort Worth
planning NEXT
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie