Community / Economic Development

Gentrification Without Exodus in Bedford-Stuyvesant

The Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant is coming up in the world but is managing to preserve its African-American culture throughout.

February 28, 2010 - The New York Times

Driving on the Rise in America

After more than two years of declines in American driving patterns, the amount of driving seems to be on the rise.

February 26, 2010 - USA Today

A Win for WalMart

A pro-smart growth group in Lockport, NY attempted to stop a WalMart Supercenter from being built in their town, but the state supreme court rejected their appeal.

February 25, 2010 - The Buffalo News

The Most and Least Affordable Places for Homebuyers

This article looks at the five metro areas with the most affordable housing options, and the five with the least affordable options.

February 24, 2010 - CNN Money

'Unexpectedly Green' Slums

This article from The Prospect looks at slums and squatter cities. Author Stewart Brand, editor of the Whole Earth Catalog, calls them "unexpectedly green".

February 24, 2010 - Prospect

The Death and Gentrification of Great American Cities

Sharon Zukin's new book takes a different look at the urbanity championed in Jane Jacobs' seminal book "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", arguing that gentrification is tearing up the authenticity of places.

February 23, 2010 - The New York Times

The Migratory Patterns of Americans are Changing

The American Enterprise Institute looks closely at how migration patterns have changed state-by-state through the last couple of years of recession.

February 23, 2010 - The American Enterprise Institute

Chapter 9 Cities on the Rise

The economic recession is pushing many municipalities towards declaring bankruptcy.

February 22, 2010 - The Wall Street Journal

Infamous Watts Public Housing, Reimagined

The Jordan Downs public housing complex in Watts, California is a perfect example of the failed projects of built mid-century. A new proposal would tear down the towers in favor of a mix of building styles connecting to the surrounding area.

February 21, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Google and the Company Town

Google and the city of Mountain View, California have a unique relationship. The city is home to the search giant's headquarters, but the company is much more than a quiet tenant, according to this article.

February 21, 2010 - The New York Times

Shanghai Dreams

This profile from National Geographic takes an inside look at the growing and rapidly changing city of Shanghai.

February 19, 2010 - National Gepgraphic

Atlanta Keeps Streetcar Hopes Alive

Officials in Atlanta are pushing forward with plans to build a streetcar, despite being left out of a recent federal stimulus-led package of transportation grants.

February 18, 2010 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Speedy and Successful Downtown Resurgence in Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa, is undergoing a rapid and thorough urban revival -- at least when compared to other cities. By Des Moines standards, the city's pace is par for the course.

February 18, 2010 - The New York Times

The Science of Resiliency in Cities

Resilience science has typically been applied to ecosystems. But now, scientists are starting to look at how it relates to cities.

February 18, 2010 - Seed

The Recession's Impact on American Cities

Next American City kicks off their new podcast by interviewing the Brookings Institution's Alan Berube about how the economic recession is playing out in American cities and metropolitan areas.

February 18, 2010 - Next American City

Innovations in Healthy Retail Pay Off

Five speakers detail how programs to beautify streetscapes, improve neighborhood retail climates and bring fresh food to urban stores paid off for store owners and community residents alike.

February 18, 2010 - Urban Farm Hub

Turning an Ethnic Enclave Into An Asset

Lowell, Mass. has one of the largest populations of Cambodian immigrants in the country. City officials want to create a "Little Cambodia" neighborhood to capitalize on that strength without exploiting it.

February 17, 2010 - The Boston Globe

Qatar Learning Lessons From Dubai's Crash

With its ambitious and extravagant plans, Dubai has fallen hard amid the economic bust. Nearby Qatar, on the other hand, is poised to weather the economic storm a little better.

February 17, 2010 - Time

Olympic Village is an 'Inspired Template'

Lisa Rouchon of The Globe and Mail says that Vancouver's Olympic Village might not be a cure-all for the city's problems, but it is a well-planned vision for the future.

February 16, 2010 - The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Zoning Loosened to Help Home Businesses

The rough economy has made code officers negotiators between irked neighbors and entrepreneurs trying to make a living in their living rooms.

February 16, 2010 - Wall Street Journal

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.