Community / Economic Development
Mall Makeovers, For Better or Worse
Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin reviews a few mall retrofits and finds that breathing life back into a dead mall can be a challenge.
Planning for the Future of London's Olympic Park
To ensure its longevity, developers of London's Olympic Park have made integration of its facilities into a larger urban renewal plan a priority.
Alternative Energy Booms in Rural Areas
The changing face of America's energy menu includes a variety of alternative sources, many of which are being developed in the country's rural areas.
Buildings Alone Do Not Constitute Regeneration
The "Bilbao Effect" is the apotheosis of the notion that a struggling post industrial city can be regenerated through set-piece art and design. But Frank Gehry, the architect of the Guggenheim, suspects the gallery was only part of a larger gestalt.
The Growth of Municipal Debt
Municipal debt is on the rise, as state and local borrowing has grown to nearly one-quarter of the U.S. GDP.
Reversing California's Sprawl with SB 375 and TOD
A new report from the Urban Land Institute finds that California's VMT-focused Senate Bill 375 can potentially reverse the state's sprawl. Transit-oriented development is seen as a strong strategy.
Some Say Tysons Urban Village Idea Not Good Enough
A new plan up for approval today in Fairfax County, Virginia to turn the suburban office park of Tysons Corner into an urban village is a good idea gone bad, according to the chairman of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce.
The Secret to Strong Neighborhoods
According to Robert Weissbourd, the secret is "positive mobility"; that is, the ability to be in constant motion, turning over with people and businesses coming and going.
The Importance Of Locally Owned Banks
What is the toll that communities, especially poorer ones pay when locally owned banks with local ties are taken over by larger ones? This article describes how the loss of just such a bank has affected Maywood, a working class suburb of Chicago.
Community Gardens in the Corporate World
A new community garden on the Intel corporate campus in Hillsboro, Oregon is just one of many such plots that have been added to corporate sites across the country.
Bank Rule Change Could Help Struggling Neighborhoods
A new rule proposed by federal regulators would allow bank investments made for neighborhood stabilization efforts and donations of foreclosed properties to be count towards compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act.
Getting the Mix Right in Mixed-Use
A local Austin developer talks about the challenges of getting the right mix of services that residents can support.
Green Energy Economy Debate: Hot Air Or Feasible Goal?
In this Newshour video (with transcript), spokesmen from a liberal and conservation think tank debate each other on the feasibility of transitioning to clean, green energy from the current fossil fuel powered economy in light of the Gulf disaster.
Randal O'Toole vs. the Livable Communities Act
O'Toole asks why, if there is such a demand for high-density, mixed-use housing, that the government needs to subsidize it?
The Sorry State Of Indian Rail
The sorry state of India's government-owned railways, both rail and freight, are hampering India's progress. Unlike China's authoritarian approach, politics in the world's largest democracy appears to be a major obstacle to modernization.
Struggles with Urban Farming
A ring road that has been on the books for decades is being revived in Urbana, Illinois - and would run right through a popular urban farm.
Build America Bonds May Be Bad Deal for Cities
Build America Bonds, part of the economic stimulus package that are intended to help cash-strapped cities building roads and schools, have been found to cost cities and taxpayers more over the long-term.
As Developing Countries Urbanize, Food Booms
A new study shows that agricultural output in the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China will be three times as great as those in the developed world. Increasing urbanization is seen as one of the drivers of this growth
Mega Development or Mega Disappointment?
CityCenter in Las Vegas is the most expensive development in U.S. history. As it settles into it surrounds, will the project attain visionary status, or will it be just another casino?
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
