Community / Economic Development

A Proposal for New York's Park Inequity Problem

The inequities of New York City’s park system have been on the policy radar since state legislation was introduced last year that would require large, wealthy park conservancies to contribute to smaller, cash-strapped parks around the city.

April 3, 2014 - The New Yorker

''D.C.'s High Line" Could Transform the Banks of the Anacostia

The proposed elevated park across the Anacostia would be a first for D.C. The group backing it has launched a national design competition to design a bridge that fosters economic development, promotes community health, and cleans the river.

April 2, 2014 - Elevation DC

'People Habitat': Kaid Benfield Takes Smart Growth to a Higher Level

Kaid Benfield has a new book out, which Scott Doyon found positively uplifting. In ways beyond what you might be thinking.

April 2, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Airbnb’s 'Shared City' Program Will Collect, Remit Taxes

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky recently announced the beginning of the “Shared City” initiative, which will “cut red tape” and “collect and remit taxes.” Airbnb will test the program in Portland before tailoring and exporting the program to other cities.

March 30, 2014 - CNN Money - Fortune

Lost Our Home

Which Cities Segregate Poverty Most Completely?

For the second installment in a five-part series on economic segregation in U.S. metros, Richard Florida examines the cities where poverty stays most hidden from "everyone else."

March 28, 2014 - Atlantic Cities

Bookstores of All Sizes Struggling in Manhattan

Manhattan has long been one of—if not the—centers of the literary universe. What does it mean for the borough if bookstores—independent or otherwise—can no longer afford the rent?

March 28, 2014 - New York Times

Young Planners

A Call for a Youth Movement in the Planning Process

Most millennials and Gen Xers are either too busy or too disengaged to realize how the future of their hometowns is being shaped by people much older than they.

March 27, 2014 - Vancouver Sun

Energy Economics: Europe Pays Steap Price For Opposing Fracking

When it comes to fracking, much dialog is about energy vs. environment. Not this one. NPR reports on the economic consequences of Europe's rejection of fracking. Many European companies are setting up shop in the U.S. where energy may cost 75% less.

March 27, 2014 - NPR Morning Edition

Economic Impact Report or 'Siren Call'?

Marlys Harris describes a simple way to overcome the default opposition setting that determines most local politics: “the sweet yoo-hoo of the economic-impact study.”

March 27, 2014 - MinnPost

Push to 'Free the Food Trucks' in Dallas

A newly formed coalition of the food truck owners has begun lobbying the Dallas City Council to reduce the regulations governing the operation of food trucks around the city and open the streets to mobile food vending.

March 26, 2014 - Dallas Morning News

The Mercados Project: Lessons for the Revival of Markets

Historically, central markets served as grand social and commercial hubs for U.S. cities. A period of 20th century decline interrupted the evolution of markets, but creative and diverse examples have precipitated a recovery around the country.

March 25, 2014 - The Street Plans Collaborative

Cleveland Aerial

‘This is Cleveland’ Rebranding Appeals to Millennials, Hipsters

Positively Cleveland, Northeast Ohio’s tourism bureau, has launched a new campaign, “This is Cleveland,” that takes a new tack in selling the region not for its orchestra and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but rather for its warts and all.

March 22, 2014 - James Brasuell

Urban Garden

Self Sufficiency Through Urban Farming

Lessons from a successful urban farming effort can be applied to achieve resource independence aside from just food.

March 22, 2014 - Architectural Review

D.C.’s Height Limits: Are You Ready for Some Football?

Congress is working on increasing height limits in Washington D.C. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California) based pitching increased the limits by appealing to that fundamental American passion: football.

March 21, 2014 - Roll Call

Walkable Street

The Underlying Patterns of Urban Street Design

Based on empirical study, J. Alexander Maxwell and fellow University of Strathclyde researchers, in collaboration with Chuck Wolfe, argue for recalling historic patterns of pedestrian city settings in contemporary urban design and policies.

March 20, 2014 - London School of Economics and Political Science - American Politics and Policy Blog

Massive Public Housing Project Endangered in Los Angeles

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles had been counting on a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods federal grant to help fund a massive makeover for Jordan Downs—one of the most downtrodden sections of Watts in South Los Angeles.

March 19, 2014 - Los Angeles Times

Discrimination Limits Sandy Recovery Efforts

Many New Jersey residents are waiting for state aid to help them rebuild after Hurricane Sandy. But not everyone is receiving a fair share of recovery funds. How will Governor Chris Christie respond?

March 19, 2014 - Rooflines

Economic Development in a Post-Redevelopment California

Larry Kosmont, CRE, President and CEO of Kosmont Companies, spoke with The Planning Report about tools for creating economic development in California without redevelopment agencies and traditional tax increment financing.

March 18, 2014 - The Planning Report

Main Street

Making the Case for Downtowns: Tax Revenue

Joe Minicozzi of Urban3 recently got national media attention from Forbes. The article describes Minicozzi as a kind of evangelist, making a strong, rational case for cities of all sizes to invest in their downtowns instead of big box retail.

March 18, 2014 - Forbes - BrandVoice

Rural Responsibility or Ruin?

The 2015 federal budget proposes a $50 minimum rent on subsidized rural rental housing to encourage “financial responsibility.” Will this really help the rural poor?

March 17, 2014 - Rooflines

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.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

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.