Community / Economic Development

A Model of Main St. Revitalization

Roberta Brandes Gratz pays a visit to Mt. Morris, New York, a town that many are looking at as a prime example of economic revitalization.

November 9, 2010 - Citiwire.net

Recession Chic in Braddock, PA

Braddock has become the poster child for a sort of bootstrap revitalization - an attitude that Levi's wants to rub off on their jeans. In exchange for using Braddock as a brand enhancer, the company built Braddock a community center.

November 9, 2010 - Next American City

Safest City Neighborhood in the U.S. is in Los Angeles

As WalletPop notes, "some city neighborhoods are actually safer than most neighborhoods in America regardless of whether they are urban or rural." The area around Cahuenga Blvd. in L.A. comes out on top, with a crime rate of .96 per thousand.

November 8, 2010 - WalletPop

What Makes A City Great? An American Perspective

H.V. Savitch attempts to break down the attributes that make a city great, and concludes that a city need not score high in all the categories in order to achieve greatness.

November 8, 2010 - H.V. Savitch

City Branding Can't Be Lipstick on a Pig

PlaceMaker Scott Doyon says that for cities -- maybe more than any other organization -- branding is about who you really are, and what what you really do, not a meaningless slogan or logo.

November 7, 2010 - PlaceShakers

Slum Redevelopment Drives Real Estate Market In Mumbai

With not much undeveloped land left in Mumbai for fresh developments, the city’s real estate growth will largely be propelled by the success of its many slum redevelopment schemes, according to a recent study.

November 6, 2010 - LiveMint.com

Shanghai Expo Closes With Focus On "Development through Development"

The Expo’s stated theme was “Better City, Better Life,” and organizers boasted it was the first World’s Fair devoted to the contemplation of cities.

November 6, 2010 - Fast Company

"Urban Renewal Was Never Really A Planner's Idea"

So says APA President Mitchell Silver, AICP, in a recent interview. "...but planners were the agents, they had to implement it."

November 5, 2010 - Model D Newsletter

Nigerian Urban Renewal Project May Leave 200,000 Homeless

A waterfront redevelopment project in Port Harcourt is drawing fire from human rights advocates.

November 5, 2010 - The Guardian

The Economic Impact of Energy Efficiency Retrofits

Cary Lowe, Los Angeles-based attorney and advocate for energy efficiency, makes the case for the economic benefits of energy efficiency retrofits to the state of California.

November 5, 2010 - The Planning Report

Two Major Projects, Some Trouble in Kansas City

Two major projects underway in Kansas City will make a significant impact on the city's downtown and skyline, but problems with one may delay its completion.

November 4, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

How Do You Say 'Sustainable Growth' in Mandarin?

A new report sheds major doubt on some of the emerging Chinese cities' abilities to grow in a sustainable manner.

November 3, 2010 - Reuters

The Missed Aerotropolis

Aerotropolises are cities that develop around airports into vibrant centers of business and residences. The Boston area had a chance to make one, but the city and state missed out, according to this column.

November 3, 2010 - The Boston Globe

Turning A Brutal Regime into a Tourist Attraction

Officials in Cambodia are hoping to capitalize on tourists' interest in the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge regime with a proposed theme park.

November 3, 2010 - The Atlantic

Economic Powerhouse to Emerge in the Arctic

As result of climate change, dwindling resources and shifting demographics, a new economic powerhouse is likely to emerge in the arctic by mid-century, according to the new book "The World in 2050".

November 3, 2010 - Seed

Gentrification Through Transit Stations

New transit stations can have major gentrifying impacts on neighborhoods -- from median income to car ownership rates, according to a recent study.

November 3, 2010 - Next American City

Forget Cities - It's Regions and Neighborhoods That Matter

When it comes to economics, statistics, demographics, development, and our daily actions, city lines don't count for much - neighborhoods and regions are where things happen, says Kaid Benfield.

November 2, 2010 - Sustainable Cities Collective

Sponsoring Seattle

Leaders in Seattle are considering a plan to offer naming rights to various parks and civic amenities.

November 2, 2010 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Recovering the Real Estate Market By Shifting Development Patterns

The real estate market will only recover once developers start building the types of neighborhoods and places people are demanding, according to Patrick C. Doherty and Christopher B. Leinberger.

November 2, 2010 - Washington Monthly

Looming Transoceanic Highway Worries Some in South America

Officials in Peru and Brazil are hoping for a 2011 opening to the Transoceanic Highway between the coasts of the two countries. But some locals worry about what the road will bring once it's completed.

November 1, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

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.

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.