Community / Economic Development

Richard Florida, interviewed by blogger Dave Copeland, says that quality of place is going to be of growing importance in the coming era to keep cities vibrant and attracting talent and the "creative class."

October 12, 2011 - MyCityWay Blog

A new report from PIRG identifies problems in the practice of TIFs (tax-increment financing) and suggests ideas for reform.

October 12, 2011 - Research report released by U.S. PIRG

On Tuesday, the UK announced the creation of a green infrastructure program, intended to press planners and deveopers to infuse spaces with greenery. Writes Peter Walker, the benefits are beyond aesthetic--they're economic as well.

October 12, 2011 - The Guardian

The Atlantic examines the factors that create a successfully implemented bike sharing program, based on current plans scheduled to be implemented on New York streets by next summer.

October 11, 2011 - The Atlantic

Chicago's flat topography makes it ideal for bike riding. Now Rahm Emanuel and Gabe Klein's new public policies aim to grow their use. The city consistently scores as highly in bike-friendly rankings as New York, Austin, or Denver.

October 10, 2011 - Huffington Post

ArtPrize, a yearly art festival in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is attracting unprecedented crowds to this unexpected destination.

October 10, 2011 - Metropolis Magazine

Doyle Redland reports on the accidental new construction, which has galvanized both sides of the preservation vs. access argument.

October 7, 2011 - The Onion

An interview with architect and developer Marcel Wisznia on why architects should develop their own projects.

October 7, 2011 - AIA

With the help of Councilmember Paul Krekorian of the Los Angeles City Hall, Studio City residents developed an anti-mansionization ordinance called the "Residential Floor Area" to limit the size of residential construction on existing lots.

October 7, 2011 - The Patch

Terry Kerby speaks to professionals about the trend toward redeveloped and landscaped city center living and the re-evaluation of the merits of slums and suburbia that has sparked a resurgence of interest in high rise living and public space.

October 7, 2011 - The Guardian

Drawing examples from a vast supply of disasters in recent years, this 30-page report emphasizes planning and policy for not just housing, but also land tenure and community input, with long-term perspectives.

October 7, 2011 - Habitat for Humanity

Scott Timburg labels Richard Florida overly optimistic and blames the media for not portraying the 'fading creative class,' because their recession pain has not been sufficiently dramatic.

October 6, 2011 - The Atlantic

Farmers face more uncertainty, as costs of labor increases and reliability decreases.

October 6, 2011 - The New York Times

Atlanta's BeltLine is a great example of a big "catalyst project," writes Ryan Gravel, which repurposes a 22-mile railroad into a linear park. Other cities can follow suit.

October 6, 2011 - Fast Company

Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach are trying to transform homes, workplaces, and schools to improve public health, writes Anna Gorman for the Los Angeles Times.

October 5, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Richard Florida ranks countries based on the proportion of workers in the 'creative class.' He ranks the U.S. 27th in the world, trailing a top ten including Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia, Germany and Switzerland.

October 5, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

Brazil's economic boom has revitalized the five-block Rua Augusta and turned it into a "cultural blast furnace," writes Vincent Bevins for the Los Angeles Times.

October 5, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Mera Rubell, one of America's premier art collectors, explains to Richard Florida why she loves collecting her art in Miami, and which is the best American City for artists.

October 5, 2011 - The Atlantic

Last week, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into a law two CEQA reform bills that will expedite the court review process for some job-creating projects. Joel R. Reynolds editorializes on the move's risk to the basic principles of CEQA.

October 5, 2011 - The Sacramento Bee

In this article and accompanying video, architecture critic Michael Kimmelman and Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden tour the Melrose section of the South Bronx. Along the way, affordability and density are apparent hallmarks of the undertaking.

October 5, 2011 - The New York Times