Community / Economic Development

Los Angeles' "Public Transportainment"

An enterprising couple from Los Angeles turned an RV into a mode of public transportation for the party-going crowd. Recent partnerships with Foursquare and Walt Disney Imagineering have made the RV a popular way to get around Tinseltown.

March 16, 2011 - GOOD Magazine

US Cities and Disaster Preparedness

In the wake of the disasters which devastated parts of Japan, Russell Nichols of Governing investigates the state of disaster preparedness in US cities and states.

March 16, 2011 - Governing

Design Solutions for Japan's Recovery

In the coming days and years, Japan needs to address a host of issues related to earthquake recover and design, including damaged infrastructure, population and housing, energy, the economy and global impact.

March 16, 2011 - Architizer

Chicago's Response to NYC's High-Line

The Lake View neighborhood in Chicago will unveil a new master plan for a completely redesigned community, including a "Low Line" park walkway.

March 15, 2011 - WLS

Fearing the End, Redevelopment Agencies Go on Bond Spree

Facing possible dissolution, redevelopment agencies in California have gone on a bond-spree in the early months of 2011.

March 14, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Houseboat Community Fears Forced Removal Ahead of Olympics

As London prepares to host the 2012 Summer Olympics, new rules about its waterways could force hundreds of houseboat residents out of the city's canals.

March 14, 2011 - Guardian

Smog Invades the Cowboy State

Unhealthy, smog-filled air has struck an unsuspecting locale: rural Wyoming.

March 12, 2011 - USA Today

America's Most Expensive Town

Edging out places like Beverly Hills, the town of Aspen, Colorado, has seen its property values on a consistent rise, making it the most expensive town in America.

March 12, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

Locals Upset As Neighborhood Attracts Tourists

As a Berlin neighborhood gains favor among foreign tourists, locals are fighting to preserve their community's charm and identity.

March 12, 2011 - Der Spiegel

Sailing to a Redeveloped San Francisco Waterfront

In 2013, San Francisco will host America's Cup; many hope this will expedite development along the Bay City's waterfront.

March 11, 2011 - The Achitect's Newspaper

Biggest Municipal Bankruptcy Averted Through New Financial Plan

Budget-troubled Jefferson County, Alabama -- once thought to be on the brink of the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history -- is moving forward with plans to clean up its finances.

March 11, 2011 - Reuters

Creating a Network of Open Spaces

The city of Baltimore has a new open space plan it thinks will lead the city to future growth that is smarter, more vibrant, and better overall for its residents.

March 11, 2011 - Project For Public Spaces

Religious Theme Park Causes Debate Over State Support

Governmental support for plans for a religious theme park in Kentucky featuring a replica of Noah's Ark have spurred protests.

March 11, 2011 - NPR

America's Second Most Obese City Get Better Access to Healthy Foods

Birmingham, Alabama is creating a new system of open markets that will bring fresh foods as well as more social space for the city's residents.

March 11, 2011 - Project For Public Spaces

Building a Sustainable New Delhi by 2050

Architects and planners in New Delhi are collaborating to create three new visions of the city, all based around the concept of sustainability.

March 11, 2011 - Frontline

Smaller Economic Growth Translates to Smaller Homes

Americans have shunned the "McMansion" for smaller, more appropriately proportioned homes, a trend which has benefited from the economic recession.

March 10, 2011 - ecohome

World's Biggest Mall A Ghost Town

A huge mall in China -- the largest in the world -- has just a 1% occupancy rate.

March 10, 2011 - Gadling

Reusing Broken Concrete as a Method of Sustainable Construction

NYC is reusing materials from a construction site in Queens to redesign the area's streetscape with pedestrian safety in mind.

March 9, 2011 - THE DIRT

Seattle's Growth Through Human Capital

Despite what seemed to be a drained post-industrial condition in the 1970s, Seattle has been growing. This post looks into why.

March 9, 2011 - The New York Times

Mapping Cities in India

With high development occurring in India, new mapping technologies can greatly help smart growth in the burgeoning country.

March 9, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

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.