Community / Economic Development
Luxury Hotel Turns Squatter Settlement
Between 2,000 and 3,000 people have taken over the Grande Hotel in Beira, Mozambique, and turned it into a small community of squatters.
Nicing Up the City
With millions of people, Los Angeles -- like many big cities -- can be a rude place. And though it makes sense that the city can be impolite, it doesn't have to be, argues Amy Alkon in this op-ed.
European Urbanism: Lessons from a City without Suburbs
Athens, Greece has all the elements of good urbanism - density, diversity, destinations, distance (to transit) and design. So is Athens a poster child for good urbanism? Fanis Grammenos takes an in-depth look.
Livability Lessons from Gainesville
Urban designer David Green talks with Anthony Lyons, Director of the city of Gainesville's Community Redevelopment Agency, about his successes in the city and how other cities can become more livable.
Farming the Subdivision
Agricultural spaces are increasingly being included in housing developments.
Temporarily Activating and Renting Unused Spaces
In Japan, owners of vacant space can rent them out by the hour, day or week to people who need them for temporary purposes thanks to a new website.
Supermarkets in Britain Remain Controversial Even After Move to Town Centers
After the backlash of suburban development in the 80s and 90s, “supermarket-led development” in town centers remain a contentious issue in Britain.
Livability, A Universal Principle
US Department of Housing and Urban Development sees diverse crop of applicants for $100 million in grants going towards community development projects adhering to livability principles.
Museum Steps in as Budget Cuts Threaten Watts Towers
As the city of Los Angeles's budget faces deep cuts, money to pay for the upkeep of the city's iconic Watts Towers folk art installation has dried up. But a museum is stepping in to try to keep the Towers alive.
Yacht Race's Potential Long-Term Impact for San Francisco
San Francisco will host the America's Cup yacht race in 2013. Some in the city argue that the event could provide a good opportunity for the city to make major investments in projects that last long after the event.
The Case Against Billboards
Ed McMahon of ULI talks about an article he's writing that will make the argument that billboards and other outdoor advertising deserve to be eliminated.
A Free Ride for the Homeless
A transit program in California is intended to be a lifeline for the homeless population, allowing for easier access to medical services and employment opportunities.
EPA to select 20 communities for Sustainability Program
Interested communities are invited to apply until February 23, 2011. The purpose of the program is to help interested communities adopt sustainable planning methods.
Temecula Mosque Plan Approved Unanimously
The City Council of Temecula, CA decided that a proposed mosque met all zoning requirements and voted to approve its construction, despite opposition that supporters claim was fueled by religious reasons and not concerns over traffic and parking.
The Mega-Problem for Mega-Cities: Management
Neither technology nor infrastructure shows any limit for how big or how fast cities can grow and more megacities are on the horizon, according to this piece from Richard Dobbs and Jaana Remes.
A Community Built to be Green
The Vauban District in southern Germany is a small community built around a green transportation scheme, but it has become much more: a model of cooperative decision-making, sustainability and eco-planning.
The City of the Future is an Air Hub
New Songdo City in South Korea is the model for new cities, according to Greg Lindsay and John D. Kasarda, who argue that its airport is its most important element.
Struggling Communities Ignored by NY's Brownfield Cleanup Program
An environmental watchdog group reveals that funds from New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program are not going to clean up the lower-income communities they were intended to help.
South Dakota Native-Americans Get Development Grant
The Oglala Lakota community hopes plans to boost development will come to fruition after the Housing and Urban Development approves a grant.
Multidisciplinary Mega Cities
Building megacities needs to be a multidisciplinary effort, according to architect and designer Sean C. S. Chiao.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
