Community / Economic Development
The Cure for Ailing Parking Lots
In Portland, up to 400 food stands have sprung up around the city, enlivening underused spaces.
Corner Stores and Fat Kids
Urban convenience stores are being further linked to childhood obesity after the release of a new study from Temple University.
Despite Praise, Portland Has Room for Improvement
Portland, Oregon, is held high on a pedestal for innovative urban planning and development. But the city has its drawbacks and needs to face them, writes Aaron M. Renn.
The Food Court, R.I.P.
The "food court", staple of malldom and home of Hot Dog on a Stick, is dead, say retail architects and designers. Higher-end restaurants and softer surfaces are replacing the shiny plastic tables and Orange Juliuses of the past.
Disparity Between Success and Failure Widening in U.K. Cities
The difference between success and failure in the U.K. has gotten worse with the recession, with ailing cities getting worse and successful cities are coming out even stronger.
Brazilians Reinterpret Their Living Spaces
In this paper, Gustavo Rivera Jr. (Ph. D. candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Chicago) evaluates the economic and sociocultural impact of recently developed public housing estates within the favelas of Belo Horizonte.
A Cultural Revolution in Dallas
Dallas is putting its hopes on architecture and art to spur the city's cultural development.
Models for Detroit: Belfast, Bilbao and Turin
Detroit can come back using the model of European countries that downsized and densified, restructured their industries and created incubators for innovation, say Bruce Katz and Jennifer Bradley of Brookings.
Host City List Narrowed for U.S. World Cup Bid
In its bid to host the World Cup in either 2018 or 2022, the United States has narrowed its list of possible host cities down to 18. Notably missing are San Francisco and Chicago.
New Playgrounds Coming to NYC
NYC's Dept. of Education has committed to building 70 new playgrounds in the five boroughs.
Stimulus-Funded Road Projects' Effect On Unemployment: None
NPR interviews the AP reporter who conducted an analysis of stimulus spending in one particular area - road construction. His finding was that in addition to having no effect on total unemployment, it didn't improve construction employment either.
Dongtan Eco-City: A Model of Sustainability?
Dongtan Eco City was planned for completion for the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. By that time, 5,000 people should be living there. However, the planned housing, water taxis, sewage‐recycling plant and energy park all failed to materialize.
Why Americans Are Moving Less
The latest Census data indicates that Americans are moving less than they used to. The New York Times asks a group of experts in demographics, sociology and urban issues why.
Architecture Doesn't Hide Bad Planning in Dubai
All the architectural wonders of Dubai don't overshadow the city-state's poor urban planning, according to Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin.
Commuting By Escalator
A system of escalators in Hong Kong, installed in 1993 to create a new connection between districts, has become an unusual and popular way to commute Hong Kong's steep streets.
New Oakland Cafe Is "Cycle-Friendly"
This new cafe in Oakland does more than welcome cyclists - it caters to them. It is a welcome addition in a neighborhood that has seen more than its share of crime. Check out the pedal-powered video player.
Rural-Urban Divide Blurring in China
As China's cities grow, the economic policy that determines who is a rural resident and who is an urban resident are in need of some changes, according to this article.
Hamburg's Manifesto Against the 'Creative Class'
A new manifesto is being circulated in Hamburg, Germany, where city officials have used the concept of the "creative class" to rebrand the city and lure in creative people. The resulting gentrification of the city has many locals upset.
Always Begin With the Stuff You've Got
That's how newly-developed communities are making it work, says Laura Wright in this in-depth look at how sprawl happened in Chicago and how smart growth is revitalizing the city.
Small Farming: It Takes A Village
Local food and small farming are part of a growing food trend in the U.S. But, as Steph Larsen writes, the trend is going to need more infrastructure down the supply chain to sustain itself
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 Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
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
