Community / Economic Development

Land Abundant Gives Rise to Gardens in Detroit

John Gallagher investigates a growing trend of unsanctioned urban agriculture in Detroit, where residents have had to take alternative land use into their own hands.

April 11, 2012 - Detroit Free Press

Savvy Retail and Restaurant Reuse Mark Next Phase of Dowtown LA Revival

In a feature for The Architect's Newspaper, Marissa Gluck profiles the "retro-chic makeovers" transforming downtown Los Angeles.

April 11, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

America's Most Economically Sustainable Small Communities

Ben Schiller delves into recent rankings that aim to demonstrate how smaller sized counties can achieve sustainable economic impacts.

April 11, 2012 - Fast Coexist

The Psychology Driving the Great Urban Migration

Nathan Norris explores what planners need to know about the trends driving Generation Y's quest for urban living and America's evolving housing market.

April 10, 2012 - PlaceShakers

Straight Talk on the Dissolution of California Redevelopment Agencies

A panel of distinguished Angelenos recently discussed the missteps that led to the dissolution of California's redevelopment agencies, the hole that their closure creates, and the possible paths forward.

April 10, 2012 - The Planning Report

Philadelphia Poised to Jump on the Elevated Park Bandwagon

Tyler Silvestro reports on the release of new designs for the SEPTA Spur by Studio Bryan Hanes and Urban Engineers, a significant step in realizing Philadelphia's Reading Viaduct revamp.

April 9, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

CicLAvia: A Celebration of the Street, Minus the Roaring Engines

Hillel Aron unravels the long and arduous journey that community activists took to make LA's newest public tradition a reality.

April 9, 2012 - LA Weekly

When Does It Make Sense for a City to Downsize?

Roberta Brandes Gratz examines New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward to make the case that even neighborhoods past their prime are worth fighting for.

April 7, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Making Sustainable Food More Accessible to Less Fortunate Americans

As government funding for programs that make fresh fruits and vegetables available to low-income women and young children get cut, Sarah Parsons asks how to make the sustainable food movement less elitist.

April 6, 2012 - Good

How Does Urban Farming Fit into the Big Picture?

Irmak Turan discusses agriculture's place in the city, as seen by a handful of Brooklyn activists. From stormwater absorption to community ties, these farms provide more than just fresh food for earthy hipsters.

April 4, 2012 - Urban Omnibus

Street Art Seen As a Ticket to Revitalization in Baltimore

Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson reports on Open Walls Baltimore, the city’s first officially sanctioned street art exhibition, which seeks to bring new life to a transitional neighborhood, and presents a dilemma for its curator.

April 3, 2012 - Grist

Public Water Works! to Grow Jobs, Protect the Environment

With a $600 billion investment gap facing the tap, citizens, organizations, and elected officials call for a renewed commitment to protect access to safe drinking water on World Water Day at Los Angeles City Hall.

April 2, 2012 - USC Annenberg Radio News

Bringing Dead Space Back to Life in Brooklyn

Sarah Goodyear discovers a project to help Brooklynites reclaim land owned by the city, but long since abandoned, and building neighborhood bonds in the process.

March 30, 2012 - Grist

Emanuel Fills In the Details on Massive Chicago Infrastructure Plan

Today, Mayor Rahm Emanuel will sketch out a fuller picture of the ambitious $7 billion public-private plan to upgrade Chicago's transit, schools, and parks, reports John Schwartz.

March 29, 2012 - The New York Times

What Will It Take to Win the Global Competition Between Cities?

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, someone who may know a thing or two about running a successful city, pens an opinion piece examining what it takes to succeed in the global competition for people, visitors, and business.

March 28, 2012 - The Financial Times

The Turning Tide of White Flight in the South Bronx

Joseph Berger describes a demographic transformation underway on the Bronx's Grand Concourse.

March 28, 2012 - New York Times

Making Regulatory Reform Work in Seattle

Although Seattle's downtown redevelopment may be receiving plaudits, Chuck Wolfe describes efforts underway to rethink land use regulations on a broader level in the city, with jobs in mind.

March 28, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Improving Older Cities By Building New Ones

Esther Dyson looks at the reasons why cities endure, why they are the right setting for massive social change, and how we can improve them through competition and intelligent design.

March 27, 2012 - Slate

Does Improved Walkability Reduce Crime?

Adam Davies writes about the results of an experimental policing project in the Netherlands that seems to demonstrate that improvements to the pedestrian environment have reduced crime in Rotterdam.

March 26, 2012 - Walkonomics

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.