Community / Economic Development

Cities: Art and the Creative Class Aren't Going to Save You

Thomas Sevcik says that hoping for an economic benefit by attracting the creative class and artists is a wrongheaded strategy.

December 17, 2010 - Urban Omnibus

'Ugly' Tourism in Belgium

An entrepreneur in a declining industrial city takes visitors on an 'Urban Safari.'

December 17, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

The More Cars You Own, The More Likely You'll Default

That's the conclusion of a new study published in the Journal of Sustainable Real Estate. Higher WalkScores also show a decrease in defaults, unless you're in a low-income area, which results in an increase in defaults.

December 16, 2010 - New Urban Network

Billions to be Invested in Infrastructure Ahead of 2018 World Cup

As Russia prepares to host the 2018 World Cup, officials are predicting that infrastructure projects will see a major boost.

December 16, 2010 - The Moscow News

Jobs on the Rise in Rural America

More than two-thirds of rural areas in the United States have seen growth in jobs since 2009, according to this article from The Daily Yonder.

December 15, 2010 - The Daily Yonder

India Plans 24 'Green' Cities

India, in partnership with Japan, is planning to build 24 "green" cities along a corridor between the major urban areas of Delhi and Mumbai.

December 15, 2010 - Inhabitat

Walmart vs. New Yorkers

Walmart has met enormous opposition in its attempts to open stores in New York City in the past, but that isn't stopping the big box behemoth. The City Council is hearing new arguments this week.

December 14, 2010 - The International Herald Tribune

Outside Interests Spell Change for Harlem

An influx of chain stores and new development in Harlem has many residents worried about retaining the historical character of the nation's so-called "African American 'Main-Street.'" Not everybody minds the changes though.

December 14, 2010 - The Columbia Daily Spectator

City's Fate Rests On Airport's Revival

Officials in Ontario, CA, contend that LA/Ontario Airport would be a major driver of development -- if it wasn't mismanaged by an airport authority controlled by the City of Los Angeles.

December 14, 2010 - California Planning & Development Report

For Cities, It's Not Coolness That Matters

In a piece for New Geography, Bill Fulton says that the cool v. uncool debate asks the wrong question. The issue is whether their economy is based on exports or imports.

December 13, 2010 - Newgeography.com

The Rise And Fall of Cities

Victor David Hanson uses a broad historical perspective to examine the causes of the rise and fall of former world cities. He argues that the computer driven, global age will accelerate the process of growth and decline.

December 11, 2010 - City Journal

Bing on Detroit, 18 Months into Office

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has been in office for a year and a half. Some progress in the troubled city has been made, but much work remains, as is revealed in this interview.

December 10, 2010 - The Detroit Free Press

Predictions for California Planning in 2011

Paul Shigley of the California Planning and Development Report offers three predictions on what the state can expect to see in 2011 in terms of urban planning and development.

December 10, 2010 - California Planning and Development Report

Waterfront Redevelopment Hinges on Theater Expansion

A new expansion to a theater in Washington D.C. is seen as the centerpiece of a massive neighborhood revitalization effort.

December 10, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

A Photographic Tour of a Foreclosure Hotbed

Modesto, California has one of the highest rates of foreclosure in the U.S. This collection of photography documents the city's abandoned homes.

December 10, 2010 - Telstar Logistics

More Immigrants Moving to Midsize Cities

According to new research, immigrant homeownership is shifting from large cities like New York and Los Angeles to smaller ones like Las Vegas and Minneapolis.

December 8, 2010 - Miller-McCune

Rio's Slums to See Massive Redesign

Ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, officials in Rio de Janeiro are taking on a massive upgrade project in the city's slums.

December 8, 2010 - Guardian

Looking for a Revival in Gary

The newly formed Gary Region and Investment Project (GRIP) hopes to bring about a turnaround for the struggling Indiana city.

December 7, 2010 - Chicago News Cooperative/The New York Times

A Giant of a Book on Urban Design

Ben Brown reviews Dhiru Thadani's new book, The Language of Towns and Cities. Weighing in at 800 pages, this encyclopedic urban design dictionary defines planning terms with extensive graphics.

December 6, 2010 - PlaceShakers

Urban Agriculture Craze Boon to Farmers in Japan

Japan's yard-less city dwellers are increasingly drawn to "weekend farming" plots rented from commercial farmers on the urban fringe. Could it help the country's struggling agriculture sector? Kenji Hall reports.

December 6, 2010 - Los Angeles 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.