Community / Economic Development
Healthcare Fuels Pittsburgh's Comeback
The onetime steel capital's transition to an economy based on the healthcare sector has helped Pittsburgh emerge from the recession much quicker than many other cities, bringing welcome jobs and questions about its sustainability, reports Don Lee.
Habitat for Humanity Builds Big in Portland
Kirk Johnson chronicles the nonprofit housing builder's move into larger-scale housing development in Oregon, as it takes advantage of the depressed real estate market, and the kindness of donors.
Ranking the Most Economically Powerful Cities in the World
Kicking off The Atlantic's special report on the past and future of the world's global capitals, Richard Florida has ranked the world's most economically powerful cities.
Six Ideas for Building Food Oases
With low-income children much more likely to be overweight than their wealthier counterparts, Sarah Parsons looks at six innovative ideas for improving access to healthy foods in low-income communities.
Why Whole Foods' Arrival is an Auspicious Sign for Detroit
Starbucks used to be the retailer who symbolically announced the revival of an urban community. Not any longer. Will Doig looks at Whole Foods, the new gentrification symbol, who've "made a science of putting down roots" at "just the right moment".
Upscale Eating Whets the Appetite for Change in SF
Vauhini Vara explains what a new upscale eatery could mean for the future character of low-income communities like Bayview and Hunter’s Point and their residents.
Jane Jacobs, Tea Partier?
On the anniversary of Jane Jacobs birth 96 years ago, Anthony Flint explores the striking similarities between the planning doyenne and anti-planning agitators.
What's Your "Pub Shed?"
A Cinco de Mayo mapping exercise leaves happy trails.
A Growth Engine, Done In by the Development It Inspired
Robin Pogrebin sheds light on a thorny conflict between a high-rise condo in Dallas, Texas and the museum it named itself after.
Can Urban Regeneration Be Kickstarted?
Alexandra Lange argues why she thinks the model for crowdfunding made popular by the Kickstarter website "is not a suitable funding platform for a city."
India's Megacity Discusses its Mega-Problems
Naresh Fernandes chronicles a recent upsurge in events providing opportunities for Mumbai's residents, and fascinated guests, to discuss the city's myriad challenges, and possible solutions. But can all the talk result in real action?
Making Metros Work
In an opinion piece for The Denver Post, Neal Peirce summarizes a new report on the practical ways in which metropolitan regions around the country are working across jurisdictional boundaries to lay the groundwork for prosperous futures.
Honoring Intuition at Today's Tea Party
How communication based on emotion and intuition, rather than reason, may be the key to peaceful coexistence with Tea Partiers and Agenda 21ers.
Bicycles Bring Booming Business
Tanya Snyder examines the various ways in which bicyclists bring increased business and added value to their local communities.
Can LivingSocial Help Establish D.C. as a Tech Hub?
Ken Archer opines on whether proposed tax incentives being offered by D.C. to retain the corporate offices of website LivingSocial are a smart trade-off amongst a backdrop of sparse public resources.
Can Manhattan Keep Up With Its Own Financial Industry?
Edward L. Glaeser looks back on the boom towns of yore and warns that, without a little balance, the dominance of finance in New York could spell trouble.
Why Place Matters
In the era of globalization and increased connectivity, which was once predicted to loosen our bonds to place, Saffron Woodcraft argues that cities have become more, not less, significant.
Trading Trash For Tomatoes in Mexico City
Michael J. Coren reports on a new program in Mexico City that lets residents trade their recyclable trash for credits with nearby farms.
Identifying the Key Steps to Building Baltimore's Economy
Baltimore has ridden out the recession better than most metropolitan areas. However, in advance of a study to be released this week, Jennifer S. Vey outlines the ways in which it can better align workers' skills with economic opportunities.
Who Can Solve London's Great Challenges?
Against the backdrop of a made-for-tv mayoral election, Richard Florida looks at the litany of issues afflicting London as the city struggles with the deepest challenges it has faced since the Great Depression and post-war years.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
