Community / Economic Development

Pike Place Market in Seattle at twilight with neon market sign and cars passing through.

Pike Place Market Vendors Open to Pedestrianization

A survey of local business owners and vendors upends the common belief that frontline workers don’t support restricting vehicle access to the iconic Seattle market.

October 13, 2023 - The Urbanist

Aerial view of high-rise buildings on waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts

How to Kickstart an Urban Resurgence

In the age of remote work, relying on major employers to boost a city’s economic fortunes may no longer be enough.

October 12, 2023 - Route Fifty

Riverfront park in Philadelphia with white gazebo and skyscrapers in background.

Identifying Park Inequities Through Data Science

Researchers used a machine learning algorithm to analyze over 200 parks in Philadelphia, revealing insights about differences in access to quality parks.

October 10, 2023 - Phys.org

Aerial view of destroyed home and cars after Lahaina, Hawaii wildfires.

Displacement Fears in Lahaina

Economists warn that reconstruction could put new housing out of reach for long-time residents.

October 6, 2023 - Route Fifty

Aerial view of small town of Hiawatha, Kansas

New Book Analyzes America’s Poorest Communities

The similarities between the nation’s most disadvantaged areas, often rural, reveal the economic patterns that lead to chronic poverty.

October 6, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

Rendering of Harwood Park in Dallas, Texas.

Downtown Dallas Gets A New Park

What was once parking lots and vacant buildings have been transformed into the four-acre Harwood Park.

October 5, 2023 - The Dallas Express

View of dirt trail between shrubs with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

Advancing Park Equity Through Needs Assessments

City Parks Alliance, in partnership with Prevention Institute, recently hosted a webinar about park equity and collaboration, focusing on the Los Angeles Countywide Parks Needs Assessment.

October 4, 2023 - City Parks Alliance

Aerial view of Broadway Street of Philipsburg, Montana, Philipsburg is a town in and the county seat of Granite County, Montana, United States.

New Book Sheds Light on Rural Governance

Learn more about a new book that provides some overdue attention to public governance and administration in small towns and rural communities.

October 4, 2023 - Routledge

Two sanitation workers wearing yellow and green vests workin in trash dump in developing country.

How the Informal Economy Can Build Resilience

Building sustainable, equitable cities of the future, must take into account the important and often overlooked tasks performed by informal workers.

October 4, 2023 - International Institute for Environment and Development

Aerial view of residential buildings in Koreatown, Los Angeles with downtown skyline in background

Advancing Shade Equity in LA’s Koreatown

Koreatown is one of Los Angeles's densest and most park-poor communities. A privately funded tree planting initiative will bring some much needed greenery and shade to the area.

October 3, 2023 - LAist

View of Austin, Texas skyline at dusk with Colorado River and bridge in foreground

Austin Releases Equitable TOD Study

The document develops a framework for ensuring that the most vulnerable and low-income residents benefit from investments in public transit and new housing and amenities.

October 1, 2023 - CapMetro

Downtown Seattle street with high-rise buildings.

Could an ‘Urban Innovation Lab’ Spur Downtown Revitalization?

In his fifth article for GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe asks whether an onsite “living lab” could spur more entrepreneurship and impact downtown regeneration in Seattle.

October 1, 2023 - GeekWire

Blue picnic table with attached benches and colorful children's playground in background.

A Data-Driven Approach to ‘Playspace Inequity’

Mapping playgrounds and their conditions can reveal how childhood play opportunities are inequitably distributed within cities.

September 29, 2023 - Next City

Roadside motel with turquoise room doors in Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Low-Barrier Motel Shelter Is a Success—But Not an Easy One

Many guests at Motels4Now are on their second or third stays—but staff say that's doesn't equal failure, and the numbers bear that out.

September 28, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

White two-story abandoned farmhouse in lush green field surrounded by trees in West Virginia.

West Virginia Tackles Vacancy With Tax Reform

The Center for Community Progress made recommendations for tax reform in West Virginia to address vacancy. Guided by CCP's suggestions, the state auditor’s office has passed two laws to change its tax sales process and keep properties in use.

September 28, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

Photo of people biking and walking on pedestrianized street with superimposed yellow Atlanta Streets Alive logo in center.

Atlanta Streets Alive Returns

The city’s open streets event is back after a four-year hiatus.

September 28, 2023 - Urbanize Atlanta

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Roadside city limit sign for Santa Clara, California.

‘Agrihood:’ An Urban Farm With Affordable Housing

California’s largest urban farm also provides 165 units of affordable housing for seniors and veterans.

September 25, 2023 - ABC 7 News

Google street view of back of brick building housing bar in Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Opens First Permanent Parklet

The city recently created a parklet permit process designed to help local businesses replace street parking with interactive public spaces.

September 21, 2023 - Nashville Tennessean

Main Street in Bentonville, Arkansas with three-story brick buildings, people sitting at tables on sidewalk, and sign on building for "The Walmart Museum."

Growing Pains in Northwest Arkansas

Like other small communities suddenly made popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, the region is struggling to maange its explosive growth.

September 20, 2023 - Axios

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.