Community / Economic Development
America the Brewery-ful
Many communities around the country have welcomed breweries for their economic development and placemaking potential. Recent data from the U.S. Economic Census shows just how much the beer industry is growing.
Planning 'Beyond Blight' in Flint, Michigan
Luke Telendar updates the planning efforts of Flint, Michigan, which earlier this year released its first new master plan since 1960, "Imagine Flint," and has more recently released a blight
Ranking the Cities Leading the Industrial Revival
Forbes has produced a list of 'The Big Cities Leading A U.S. Manufacturing Revival.'
Reconsidering 'You Just Don’t Get It!' as a Community Engagement Strategy
Consider spending more time at the beginning of a community engagement process understanding predispositions that could turn toxic if we don’t keep the conversation about what unites neighbors.
How to Distribute California's 'Sustainable Communities' Cap-and-Trade Money?
A big share of California's cap-and-trade proceeds will be distributed via the Strategic Growth Council. Will the council and its local grantees spend that money on planning or physical projects or both? Bill Fulton takes a look.
Study Ranks Life Sciences Industry Clusters
Lauren K. Ohnesorge shares the results of a recent study that ranks the strength of the life sciences industry in the nation's metropolitan areas. Boston leads the list.
Mudslinging over Parking Apps in San Francisco
A San Francisco city attorney spokesman used some colorful language in response to MonkeyParking's recent act of defiance against the city.
Los Angeles Conservancy Announces 2014 Preservation Awards
From rancho barns to Howard Hughes's former aircraft factory, nine projects reflect the best in historic preservation in Greater Los Angeles.
How to Build Cargo Capacity at an Airport: Attract Industries to Nearby Locations
Atlanta's efforts to attract new cargo traffic to its airport will require new facilities on site as well as new facilities for industries nearby.
George Lucas Chooses Chicago for New Museum Site
Equal parts a stunning victory for Chicago and a breathtaking failure for San Francisco, "Star Wars" director George Lucas has selected Chicago as the site of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.
Reducing the Number of Abandoned Properties in Louisville
Louisville, like many other cities around the country, has been working hard to reduce the number of abandoned buildings. Recent efforts have provided the city with a new road map for blight reduction.
Is the Innovation Economy a Cover for Gentrification?
According to Kyle Chayka's critique of "The Rise of Innovation Districts" report by the Brookings Institutions, "all is not right in this innovation ideology."
Oil Shale (not Shale Oil) and Oil Sands Projects Underway in Utah
A major challenge facing oil companies in the Uinta Basin is how to transport the crude to market. Alignments have been winnowed and the mode appears to be selected - rail. Total cost: $2 billion to extract $30 billion worth of oil and gas reserves.
No Little Plans for Private Passenger Rail Service Between Miami and Orlando
The last private passenger rail in the United States closed in 1983, but a private company is working on a 240-mile service between Orlando and Florida. CityLab recently detailed how a relic of the past could transform the Florida of the future.
Twin Cities' Green Line Emphasizes Community Integration
Funding from a nonprofit initiative provides concrete measures to prevent displacement due to the construction of the Green Line in the Twin Cities.
Urban River Revitalization Across the Globe
Urban Times offers a list of 13 urban river renewal projects spanning from Medellin to Manila.
Will Manufacturing and Trade Work for Florida's Recovery?
Adie Tomer challenges local and state leaders in Florida to leverage its strengths in trade and logistics for a more production-oriented economy—to the benefit of the long-term economic prosperity of the state.
The Fall of Planning Expertise
With increasing skepticism and conflict towards planners and planning projects, we must ask ourselves: Is the power and politics now vested in "community participation" undermining the planning profession?
Urbanists Soak Up Buffalo: PlaceMakers Empty Their Notebooks
Many of you attended CNU in Buffalo last week, but for those of you who couldn't make it, here's a quick collection of a few of the ideas shared.
'Innovation Hubs' Called a Manufacturing Silver Bullet
A recent Wall Street Journal editorial calls for "Topic-specific, industry-led, and place-based…public-private hubs" as the key to a manufacturing renaissance. The idea is already being tested in four cities.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
