Community / Economic Development

Thinking About Pedestrians, Bicylists, and Transit Users

Getting transportation professionals to think about including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users is a key first step in creating great places and livable communities. Thank “complete streets” movement, which has taken the U.S. by storm.

November 22, 2011 - Project For Public Spaces

Hearst Corp Planning To Redevelop San Francisco Block

Hearst Corporation is planning to redevelop the city block that surrounds its San Francisco Chronicle offices at 5th and Mission. The update would include a new mixed use tower containing 1.3 million square feet of commercial space.

November 22, 2011 - SF Gate

Chaotic Urban Growth Hinders Economic Development In India

Amy Kazim explore how chaotic urban growth and a political preference for rural government is beginning to hinder the development of India's largest cities.

November 22, 2011 - The Financial Times

Where the Hipsters Go

Good planning is attracting young hipsters to cities throughout the world, writes Christopher F. Schuetze.

November 22, 2011 - International Herald Tribune via New York Times

Top 10 Books - 2012

Planetizen’s tenth annual list of the best books in urban planning, design and development ranges from a crowdsourced compendium of ideas for upgrading New York City's built environment to a personal report from the streets of Karachi.

November 21, 2011 - Michael Dudley

Business Leaders Push Back on Philadelphia Red Tape

A report from the Sustainable Business Network recommends policy changes that will help Philadelphia improve business formation and job growth.

November 21, 2011 - Philadelphia Inquirer

The Problem With Atlanta

Aaron M. Renn dissects the rise and fall of Atlanta, concluding that lack of differentiation paired with no job growth will bring mean "game over" for the city.

November 21, 2011 - The Urbanophile

Taking the Charrette to the Streets

Grist profiles Dylan House, a Brooklyn architect and "change agent" that is involving underserved community groups in charrettes to plan their urban spaces.

November 21, 2011 - Grist

Redfining Planned Communities

They're no longer totally synonymous with sprawl, reports Lew Sichelman, and are beginning to be found in in unlikely places--indicative of a move to brownfield over greenfield development. Changing consumer preferences explain why.

November 20, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Fort Collins Shakes Up the Planning Paradigm

Like many cities, Fort Collins, CO is cash-strapped, but its plans are no longer dominated by handling sprawl. With development pressure out of the picture, a democratic blueprint for connecting residents to culture as well as space has emerged.

November 20, 2011 - The New York Times

Does Living in a Poor Neighborhood Harm Your Health?

A study conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the 1990s found that living in poor neighborhoods can actually hurt your health.

November 19, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

Guatemala's Silicon Valley

In Guatemala City, Campus Tec, a single tech firm building, shows early signs of promise for the city's "Silicon Valley dream."

November 19, 2011 - The New York Times

The Shrinking Middle Class

A new report from Stanford University looks at the changes in incomes and neighborhoods.

November 18, 2011 - The New York Times

"Shoulder Pads" For A Stadium

Design and architecture firm Gensler has released their newest plans for the proposed football stadium in downtown Los Angeles.

November 17, 2011 - The Architect's Newspaper

Bicycle Users Take Action Into Their Own Hands

In 2007, Mexico City's government promised that it would build 300km of bike lanes around the city by 2012. According to Jimena Veloz, "the city still only has 22.2 km because most money is allocated to car infrastructure."

November 17, 2011 - This Big City

'Burbs Don't "Support the Vision" for Tech Company

Lured by state and potentially city incentives, one high-tech headquarters is ditching its current suburban location for a spot in downtown Kansas City. Is a resurgence afoot? Kevin Collison reports.

November 17, 2011 - The Kansas City Star

Planning's Limits and Strengths Identified at NYC Zoning Conference

Though held in recognition of zoning's 50th anniversary, the conference details future social, economic, and environmental challenges. Raymond Li reports on both the positive and negative points of discussion brought up on Tuesday.

November 17, 2011 - International Business Times

New Library Making A Splash With Public Art

West Hollywood, California recently opened a new public library, hiring a number of prominent artists like Shepard Fairey to turn it into a local landmark.

November 16, 2011 - The Architect's Newspaper

ASLA Seeks A More Sustainable D.C.

For Washington D.C., ASLA polled members to develop a new "comprehensive framework" connecting sustainability with economic development.

November 16, 2011 - American Society of Lanscape Architects

Manhattan Bus Terminal Tower Plans Nixed...Again

For the third time, a deal between Vornado Realty Trust, its Chinese investment partner, and the Port Authority has fallen through to develop a 40-story office tower atop the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan.

November 16, 2011 - The New York Times

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.

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.