Community / Economic Development

Aerial view of cylindrical silver oil tanks

Use or Misuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Rising gasoline prices prompted President Biden to announce on October 19 that he was authorizing the release of 15 million barrels of crude oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

November 3, 2022 - The Washington Post

Gentrification

How to Recognize Gentrification

A new book digs into the politics and contradictions of the gentrification debate.

November 3, 2022 - Next City

Aerial view of high-rise buildings on waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts

Why Cities Will Outlast the Pandemic Slump

A new report suggests that despite recent challenges, the ‘value proposition’ of urban activity centers remains as strong as ever.

November 1, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

New York City Open Streets

Open Streets and Outdoor Dining Are Best for Business, Report Says

Most business owners believe that they'd be out of business without on-street parking near their front door. The experience of New York City during the pandemic proves otherwise.

October 27, 2022 - StreetsBlog NYC

A map of New Jersey focuses on Haledon and blurs our surrounding cities such as Paterson.

Zoning Changes Intended to Spur Redevelopment in Haledon, New Jersey

The borough of Haledon is hoping that less restrictive zoning will spur a new wave of development and economic activity along one of the city's commercial corridors.

October 26, 2022 - North Jersey

The sculpture of the "Double Check Businessman" in Liberty Park, New York City

Checking the 'Back-to-Work Barometer'

The back-to-work data everyone is talking about? It comes from a security company that offers swipe badges for entrance into office buildings all over the country. Some experts say their data is too incomplete to be authoritative, however.

October 23, 2022 - Bloomberg

Pedestrians and cyclists in busy city crosswalk with blurred motion

Vision Zero Cities Journal 2022: Traffic Safety Guidance for a Safer Future

The Vision Zero Cities Journal provides information on traffic safety innovations and the global movement toward Vision Zero.

October 21, 2022 - Vision Zero Cities Journal

Close-up of multicolored gas station pumps

OPEC Plus Decision to Reduce Oil Output Could Lead to Global Recession

A decision earlier this month by a group of the world's largest oil exporters to drastically reduce oil production to stem the decline in oil prices could be a ‘tipping point’ for a global recession, says the International Energy Agency.

October 19, 2022 - The Hill

New York City Open Streets

Cities Rethinking the Value of Parking

The effort to reclaim public and private spaces from car storage had some setbacks since the days of al fresco and open streets in the first years of Covid-19. But widespread parking reforms and new evidence shows the public is rethinking parking.

October 17, 2022 - Globe and Mail

View of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida barrier island

Hurricane Ian Puts Renewed Focus on Florida's Barrier Islands

Ian did not impact Southeast Florida, but coastal residents there took notice of the state's deadliest hurricane since 1935 that devastated much of Southwest Florida last month, particularly the barrier islands off the Gulf Coast.

October 14, 2022 - WPTV News

Woman in wheelchair working at a home office desk

How Remote Work is Changing the Playing Field for Workers With Disabilities

The more widespread acceptance of working from home is helping millions of Americans with disabilities get back into the workforce and find better job opportunities.

October 4, 2022 - Bloomberg

People post for photos in front of a colorful mural in the evening.

Placemaking: Building on the ‘Soul’ of a Place

Placemaking is often mistaken for a form of manufacturing. Every place already has a story to tell—placemaking just brings that story forward.

October 4, 2022 - Brian Chambers

Rendering of hydrogen storage tank with solar panels in background

Two New Clean Energy Programs Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Unveiled

The U.S. Department of Energy announced two new programs last month that are funded by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: $7 billion to create regional ‘hydrogen hubs’ and $4.9 billion to ‘manage and store carbon pollution.’

October 3, 2022 - U.S. Department of Energy

Flooded street with palm trees bending in the wind during Hurricane Irma in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Ian's Test

One of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the mainland United States in decades will be a major test for a governor with presidential aspirations as well as his constituents in the nation's third most populous state.

September 30, 2022 - Politico

Victorian two-story buildings with retail shops in downtown Nashvile, Tennessee

How Adaptive Retailers Contribute to Positive Urbanization

Retailers must respond to changes to stay successful, and urbanization is one of the major factors influencing changing circumstances. Retail representatives that react with care and thoughtfulness contribute to positive urbanization.

September 29, 2022 - Devin Partida

Miami and Key Biscayne

The Great American Exodus: A Conservative's Perspective

During his keynote speech on September 11 at the National Conservatism Conference in Miami, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis describes the demographic shifts in America since he became governor in 2019 in what he calls the 'Great American Exodus.'

September 27, 2022 - The Wall Street Journal

View of Seattle skyline with houses in foreground

Community Land Trusts Make Homeownership Accessible

The organizations sell homes to low-income buyers at rates far below market prices, putting homeownership within reach for more families.

September 27, 2022 - Next City

Diesel big rig truck on California road with mountains in background

Electrifying Trucks: Will California Ban Diesel Power?

Five days after approving a landmark rule to phase out the sale of new light duty vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, the California Air Resource Board released a rule that applies to the sale of new medium and heavy duty ICE vehicles.

September 26, 2022 - CALmatters

Covered outdoor dining patio on street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Opinion: Support Citizen-Led Public Space Projects

A public space advocate outlines how Philadelphia’s city leaders could support the parklets, plazas, and other public space conversions that proliferated during the pandemic.

September 26, 2022 - WHYY

Denver

Denver Announces Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot

Residents who have experienced homelessness will receive monthly cash payments to help them find and stay in stable, long-term housing.

September 22, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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.