Community / Economic Development

A Donald Shoup devotee offers new insight into the problems and solutions associated with parking in Los Angeles and other cities. Urban Planning professor Richard Willson says it'll cost you, but parking systems are going to get more efficient.

September 1, 2013 - The Eastsider LA

Ever since a tentative deal for a new sports arena was struck between the City of Sacramento and new owners of the Sacramento Kings, real estate activity around the proposed downtown location has increased including deals for long empty storefronts.

August 31, 2013 - The Sacramento Bee

Somerville, a 4.2-square-mile city outside of Boston, has successfully attracted young, educated people, but many worry what an influx of 'hipsters' will do to the small city.

August 31, 2013 - The Boston Globe

In an echo of the urban inversion confronting many of America's cities, London's phenomenal economic growth over the past decade has come at the expense of the city's suburbs, where unemployment and poverty are growing. Could this be a good thing?

August 31, 2013 - The Economist

As a group from Washington, D.C. announced plans to bid for the 2024 Olympics, economists released a report on the high costs of hosting the Games for cities, including expensive infrastructure and small economic benefits.

August 28, 2013 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

With major new developments underway, corporate cutbacks and 'hot-desking' are driving Sydney's commercial landlords to convert surplus office space to residential apartments. Carolyn Cummins and Stephen Nicholls consider the long term implications.

August 27, 2013 - Sydney Morning Herald

A study of Seattle's bike lanes and small businesses shows that bike lanes strengthen local business sales.

August 26, 2013 - ASLA's The Dirt blog

An agreement between Related Developers and a community organization that has gotten substantial support from an area councilman to support a job training and referral program draws criticism from some groups who feel left out.

August 25, 2013 - City Limits

With sleek high-rises, a waterfront promenade, and yacht-filled marina, Eko Atlantic could help Lagos attract the world's elite. But when it isn't busy demolishing their homes, what is the government doing to improve poor residents' quality of life?

August 22, 2013 - The New Yorker

America's oil and gas boom has energy companies ramping up their ability to export natural gas, and the feds eager to approve export terminal projects. But Dow Chemical’s chief executive warns that exports threaten the U.S. manufacturing renaissance.

August 22, 2013 - The New York Times

Low interest rates and incentives from the state are helping Buffalo, NY to leverage its waterfront and extraordinary architecture to create a vibrant downtown, with historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects at center stage.

August 22, 2013 - The Architect's Newspaper

Lac-Mégantic, Quebec was the site of a train derailment that cost dozens of lives and destroyed 10 blocks of its downtown. Now residents and town leaders are working to heal from that tragic event with plans for the future.

August 22, 2013 - The Globe and Mail

We can best thank Portland and other pioneers for all their hard work with on-street bicycle parking (a.k.a. "bike corrals") by simply benefitting ourselves from their efforts. Here's how...

August 21, 2013 - Ian Sacs

Community resistance stopped plans for widening Hamburg, New York's Main Street. By embracing calmer streets, the town is flourishing and once again enjoying comparisons to the idyllic Bedford Falls of 'It's a Wonderful Life.'

August 20, 2013 - The New York Times

Mexico, the world's 9th largest oil producer and first to nationalize its oil production, has seen steep production declines as the state-owned oil company lacks capital resources and expertise. Constitutional reforms would entice private investment.

August 20, 2013 - The New York Times - Global Business

As college becomes less affordable, alternatives to the traditional four-year model have been making inroads, leading some to question its lasting viability. If universities struggle, it will impact not only campuses, but cities, as well.

August 19, 2013 - Mark Hough

Anyone living in New York, or paying attention to baseball, knows how one failed splashy signing can sink a team's competitiveness. Rather than trying to win with home runs, local governments should be playing small ball, argues Charles Marohn.

August 19, 2013 - Strong Towns

Those investing in the largely Latino enclave of Boyle Heights prefer to use the term "gentefication" - a play on the Spanish word for people - rather than the pejorative gentrification, to describe their efforts to improve the L.A. neighborhood.

August 19, 2013 - The New York Times

Philadelphia Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron has the knives out for a new hotel built in Center City, calling it the 'worst new architecture' in the city. Worse yet, we all helped pay for such awful design.

August 19, 2013 - philly.com

This interactive feature from the New York Times employs animation and photographs of the city over time to explore the places where the outgoing Mayor has left the biggest impression.

August 19, 2013 - The New York Times