Community / Economic Development

The Fleeting American Dream

The American Dream is a concept that's had a rough go for the past few years. A new survey shows that nearly two-thirds of Americans don't think that dream can become reality.

March 17, 2010 - The Atlantic

Strip Malls Lose Customers During Special Events, Heavy Traffic

Houston Rodeo is actually hurting some businesses around Reliant Center.

March 16, 2010 - KUHF Houston Public Radio

Ghetto-ization: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Density

At first glance, the historic Ghetto streetscene in Venice is an appealing new urbanist community. In another place at another time, the virtues of compact, walkable and dense were the very isolation we now abhor.

March 15, 2010 - myurbanist

Redevelopment Agencies Circle the Wagons, Fight for Funding

Redevelopment agencies, lead by the CRA, are planning their strategy for how to keep their local redevelopment funding from the state. CP&DR blogs and tweets from the California Redevelopment Association conference.

March 15, 2010 - California Planning & Development Report

South African World Cup Stadium Costs Highlight Neighboring Poverty

The costs of a new stadium built for this year's World Cup in Nelspruit, South Africa have heightened tensions between the city's poor and its leading officials.

March 15, 2010 - The New York Times

Detroit's Central Depot: The Next Alcatraz?

Could Detroit turn its crumbling buildings into tourist attractions? The Urbanophile says there are worse ideas.

March 12, 2010 - The Urbanophile

International Airport As Real Estate Speculation

The first new international airport in America in more than a decade is taking form in Florida panhandle. It's part of a broad effort to turn the region into a destination -- and a valuable real estate development.

March 11, 2010 - The New York Times

Town Looks to Ban New Franchises

The small community of Tofino on Vancouver Island is looking to ban all future franchise retail establishments from moving into town.

March 11, 2010 - The Vancouver Sun

Looking to the Future in Cincinnati

The director of the Cincinnati Art Museum says in order to prepare for the future, the city should rebuild its streetcar system and build on its strengths in the arts.

March 10, 2010 - Architect Magazine

Inchvesting in Detroit

$1 will buy you one square inch of a vacant lot in Detroit, and membership in Jerry Paffendorf's club of "inchvestors." It may sound like a scheme, but Paffendorf calls it a way to network, invest in Detroit, and attract entrepreneurs.

March 10, 2010 - NPR

Boston Neighborhood Transforms Church into Housing

How grassroots organizers beat out commercial bidders, and overcame zoning hurdles to redevelop Catholic church into affordable housing.

March 9, 2010 - WBUR - Boston public radio

Long Island Can Build Up, Or Out

That's the conclusion of a new report by The Long Island Index. Equal development can be achieved by building into the island's last greenfields or upwards from infill opportunities like underused parking lots.

March 9, 2010 - Grist

A Bust to Follow China's Building Boom?

The economic stimulus of China has focused billions of dollars on building skyscrapers. Some wonder whether a building bust may soon follow.

March 9, 2010 - Business Week

Notable Architecture to Watch in 2010

This piece from Business Week lists the most anticipated architecture projects to watch in 2010.

March 9, 2010 - Business Week

Can Urban Design Alleviate the Need for Cops?

A look at public space as a "community living room" and the role of police within the context of Los Angeles.

March 8, 2010 - Examiner

Town Futures in Photoshop

A picture's worth a thousand plans - at least when it's a "photo-realistic visualization." Designer Steve Price's detailed 3D flash animations show towns what empty streetscapes and drab buildings could look like with a little bit of planning.

March 8, 2010 - Grist.org

Container Housing Approved to Aid Haitians

Officials in the Dominican Republic have approved the creation of cities made of home built out of shipping containers -- part of efforts to aid earthquake-rattled Haiti.

March 8, 2010 - Inhabitat

Turning Cities into Innovation Centers

Saul Kaplan says cities should be transformed into innovation centers to stay competitive and become the venue of a "new economic conversation".

March 8, 2010 - Business Week

Tough Times in Detroit, But Some Hope Remains

One in five Detroit homes is in foreclosure and asking prices are dropping to extreme lows. Many in the city question what lies in the future for the struggling city.

March 7, 2010 - Guardian

Location Still Matters

When all business happens over the internet, does where your business still matter? Yes, says Business Insider, for all the same reasons as before.

March 6, 2010 - Business Insider

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.