Community / Economic Development

https://puentehillslandfillpark.org/2023-concept-design

Upcycling a Landfill into a Regional Park

Los Angeles County is working with a consultant team led by Studio-MLA to transform 142 acres of the Puente Hills Landfill into parkland, creating the first new regional park in the county in over 35 years.

December 4, 2023 - Studio-MLA

Colorful illustration of San Francisco downtown.

Pop-Up Shops are Reviving Dormant Downtowns

The future of downtown retail is uncertain. In the meantime, pop-ups fill the gaps and provide small businesses with unique opportunities to showcase their wares.

November 22, 2023 - Route Fifty

ederal Housing Finance Agency seal in downtown with closeup of sign and logo

‘Renters Bill of Rights’ One Step Closer to Reality

The Biden administration could strengthen tenant protections on a national scale by leveraging federally backed mortgages to mandate rent stabilization and bar discrimination in rental housing.

November 22, 2023 - Truthout

View looking up at wrought iron French Quarter balcony in New Orleans with bright green fern plants in planters.

New Orleans Short-Term Rentals in Limbo

A federal judge halted the city’s lottery-based program in August, leaving current and prospective hosts in a legal gray area.

November 22, 2023 - Wired

People enjoying a sunny day on a green lawn with pink lawn chairs and colorful bird mural in background in Boston, Massachusetts.

Why Social Infrastructure Matters

The pandemic highlighted the importance of parks and public spaces for maintaining both the physical and mental health of urban residents.

November 19, 2023 - The Boston Globe

Aerial view of downtown Chandler, Arizona with desert hills in background.

Arizona Town Expands Infill Incentive District

The Chandler City Council voted to add the city’s downtown and other areas to an incentive program that supports infill development.

November 15, 2023 - Chandler News

View of grocery store aisle.

Rural Areas Experience Higher Food Insecurity

As pandemic-era assistance programs expire, the rate of food insecurity for rural households is rising higher than in their urban counterparts.

November 14, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

View of Gateway Arch and skyline of St. Louis, Missouri.

How Public-Private Partnerships Shape Urban Development

Explore the significant role of public-private partnerships in shaping urban development and driving collaboration and innovation for sustainable city growth.

November 14, 2023 - Devin Partida

Rendering of 11th Street Bridge Park in Washington, D.C. on old bridge across Anacostia River.

DC Park Aims for Equitable Development

Project leaders working on the 11th Street Bridge Park hope to prevent displacement of residents and bring economic and social benefits to the surrounding community.

November 14, 2023 - Fast Company

Close-up of Help Wanted sign with white text on red background posted inside storefront window.

The Link Between Employment and Housing

For many people experiencing homelessness, the process of finding and keeping a job is fraught with challenges.

November 13, 2023 - Urban Wire

Close-up of red sign with white "Drive-Thru" text and arrow pointing left against partly cloudy blue sky.

The Resurgence of Drive-Throughs

Dining areas in many fast food restaurants are being replaced with added drive-thru lanes, another post-pandemic impact on our lives benefiting those with four wheels (or more).

November 13, 2023 - The New York Times

Trinity Railway Express train painted with Texas flag at station in Dallas, Texas.

Revitalizing Texas: Sustainable Rail Solutions

An argument for why investing in trains is the key to sustainable growth and economic success in the Lone Star State.

November 8, 2023 - Mustafa Haque

Close-up of woman in blue and white striped button-up shirt drinking from clear plastic cup with red straw.

To Revitalize Downtowns, Cities Create Designated ‘Drinking Zones’

Mirroring New Orleans’ French Quarter or the Las Vegas Strip, some cities are experimenting with loosening open container laws in certain commercial areas.

November 7, 2023 - Stateline

Green grass soccer field with Los Angeles skyline in background.

Using Data and Partnerships to Build Sports Facilities

Data and partnerships have supported the recent development and improvement of sports facilities in underserved communities in Los Angeles County.

November 6, 2023 - Parks & Rec Business

People sitting on lawn chairs in front of green meadow with New York City skyscrapers in background in Bryant Park, New York.

In Praise of the Endangered ‘Third Space’

The public spaces where people can spend time among strangers without buying something are crucial to healthy cities—and are quickly disappearing.

November 1, 2023 - Strong Towns

Google Maps view of one-story shopping center with large parking lot.

Ohio Suburb Reenvisions Car-Oriented Shopping Center

Garfield Heights wants to transform a 1960s complex nestled in a sea of surface parking into a walkable, mixed-use development.

October 31, 2023 - Cleveland.com

Aerial view of Halifax Waterfront with people milling around on docks among yellow umbrellas and business patios.

Placemaking on the Halifax Waterfront

How small, incremental changes can create vibrant places.

October 30, 2023 - Happy Cities

Photo of Goat Blocks development, Portland, Oregon with five-story brick building and wide concrete staircase.

Goat Blocks: A Blueprint for Urban Placemaking and Walkability

How one development harnesses placemaking tactics to build community at the street level.

October 26, 2023 - Jason Roberts

Rendering of outdoor dining patio design for New York City street.

NYC Releases Outdoor Dining Designs

New guidelines for the city’s ‘streeteries’ are set to go into effect next April.

October 26, 2023 - Curbed

View of Los Angeles skyline on sunny day with palm trees in foreground

Youth Employment Program Earns Top L.A. County Award

The highly impactful Youth At Work program offers youth paid opportunities to develop skills in customer service, leadership, mentoring, and community engagement while helping with various programs and projects at Los Angeles County parks.

October 23, 2023 - Los Angeles County Quality and Productivity Commission

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.