Community / Economic Development
Public Parks to Cover Highways in Hamburg
The City of Hamburg, Germany is planning on building elevated public parks on sections of the to-be-expanded A7 (Highway 7), which is considered one of the most important north-south connectors in Germany.
HUD Announces Sustainability Grant Winners
The 27 communities and regional planning organizations selected will receive a total $96 million to achieve their economic and environmental goals.
Town Builds Restaurant to Lure Chef
Pocomoke City officials have funded the construction of a restaurant and bar in their city with no tenant on the horizon - just hopes to attract a star chef and spur economic development downtown.
Urban Parks Go to The Dogs
According to a study by the non-profit Trust for Public Land, reporter Haya El Nasser says that dog parks are becoming the fastest-growing of city parks nationwide.
Los Angeles Considers Lifting Artistic Mural Ban
Los Angeles is considering a new ordinance that will allow artists to paint murals on private property as long as they have permission from the owner.
Edward Blakey Reviews Moscow Expansion Plans
University of Sydney Professor Edward Blakely has reviewed Moscow’s plan to expand the capital’s borders to the south-west by 2014 and proclaimed that they will not hamper the city’s development. The territory will more than double.
Rising Prices All Too Familar in D.C.
In Washington D.C., Michael Perkins explains that starting next July, Metro would be at a deficit of $120 million. They have come up with several ideas to raise a portion of that money through fares.
London's "Pop-Up" Shopping Mall To Be One of a Kind
British entrepreneur Roger Wade has built "[t]he most environmentally friendly shopping mall ever built." 'Boxpark,' which recently opened, is composed of 60 standard size shipping containers stacked two stories high by five rows wide.
How the Suburbs Killed Our Connectivity, And How to Fix It
The deeper our sense of community, the better positioned we are to take on change, says Scott Doyon, but the leisurely lull of the suburbs may have killed our ability to work together.
Where There is Only Muck, Tadao Ando Sees a Floating Forest
Famed architect Tadao Ando wants to transform 220 acres of landfill in Tokyo Bay into a floating forest of almost half a million trees.
Pinning Hopes on Theatres to Bring People Downtown
Canadian cities are increasingly investing in cultural centers in their downtowns in order to create attract people and spur investment.
The Living Wage Mandate Works
A 2003 policy that mandated that subsidized developements grant jobs at living wages has not hampered development, according to one official.
Congressional Redistricting Leaves Cities Split
Urban areas have been historically shortchanged when drawing Congressional district lines, and some mayors are less than thrilled to see their municipalities "carved up." Michael Cooper reports.
Massive Mixed-Use Transit Oriented Development To Hit White Flint
In Maryland, the Washingtonian Tower has been the tallest skyscraper in Montgomery County. Developers in White Flint are proposing an even taller building that will incorporate mixed-use, transit-oriented, and retail/office development in one plan.
Revitalization For Downtown Wheaton
In Maryland, the Montgomery County Park and Planning Commision received a $200,000 grant to study moving its offices. The County Executive, Ike Leggett says "its the best way to kick-start the revitalization of downtown Wheaton."
Freight-Oriented Development To Be Implemented Along the Red Line
In Charlotte, N.C, planners are looking at ways to appeal to freight users. In addition to transit-oriented development, their plan is to allow freight trains to run on the same tracks as passenger trains promoting the use of the Red Line.
2012 TED Award Winner Announced: The City 2.0?
For the past 7 years, the people behind the TED conference have awarded a yearly $100,000 prize to an individual with "one wish to change the world." This year, they've skipped the individual and are going directly to the idea: The City 2.0.
Clustering Still Key for Industries
Hal Johnson argues that the idea that it can be beneficial to a city or region to inspire the growth of industry clusters is still an effective way to go, and creating a sense of place to inspire clustering is essential.
Oil Biz Creating Jobs and Raising Home Values
A new report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency says that U.S. counties with a significant number of jobs in the energy sector have seen a rise in home prices that is unusual in this recession.
In Some Ways, Downtown Brooklyn's Aspirations Remain Just That
A recent rezoning led to high economic hopes for downtown Brooklyn. But a more recent economic downturn seems to have undermined those expectations. Indeed, some growth has occurred, but success depends on whom you ask.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
