Community / Economic Development

Though he originally planned to build a prayer center on part of a 20 acre property he was pursuing, a Texas Pastor has expanded his plans into an all-out neighborhood with more than 450 homes.

January 7, 2010 - The Houston Chronicle

The Burj Khalifa has opened in Dubai. Now, locals say, the development of the city's public life must begin.

January 7, 2010 - The National

This slideshow from the BBC explores how Beijing's iconic Bird's Nest Olympic stadium is being reused -- as a kids theme park.

January 6, 2010 - BBC

Ryan Avent offers a counterpoint to a recent article critiquing the urban economic theories of Richard Florida, arguing that the movement of people and the "creative class" to cities based on employment is the heart of urban economics.

January 6, 2010 - Seeking Alpha

A new monumental statue being built in the Senegalese capital of Dakar is seen by some as an African Statue of Liberty or Eiffel Tower. But for many of the nation's poor, it is a waste of money and an abuse of presidential power.

January 5, 2010 - NPR

While rail is known to be much greener than its competitor long-distance trucking, it is also a key component to globalization and big-box retail. This article spotlights the growth of Burlington Northern Santa Fe RR and the Port of Los Angeles.

January 5, 2010 - Los Angeles Times - Business

In a scathing critique of Richard Florida, reporter Alec MacGillis claims that Florida's creative class strategies haven't worked for ailing cities around the country. Florida counters that the recession has changed the landscape.

January 4, 2010 - The American Prospect

Burj Dubai (now renamed as the Burj Khalifa), the world's tallest building, opened today in Dubai. But with the recent credit crunch and economic recession, the extravagant monument to boom times sits mostly empty.

January 4, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

New London, Connecticut was dealt a major blow when pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced plans to pack up and leave the heavily city-subsidized building New London had lured the company with. Bill Fulton looks at the impact of the move.

January 4, 2010 - Governing

January 4, 2010 - Vinayak Bharne

Curbed LA takes an amusing look at the urban planning proposals that bubbled up in L.A. throughout 2009.

January 3, 2010 - Curbed LA

After an extended history of favoring rural areas over metropolitan ones, The World Bank appears to be changing course.

January 3, 2010 - Citiwire.net

A group of historians and urban enthusiasts have developed a successful tourist organization that explores the underground structures and spaces of Berlin.

January 2, 2010 - The New York Times

Parks officials in San Francisco look to mimic New York City's approach to funding parks through public-private partnerships.

January 2, 2010 - San Francisco Chronicle

Sweetheart deals using public monies to fund stadiums have backfired across the country, causing more drain than gain.

January 1, 2010 - The New York Times

The Walled City of Kowloon, Hong Kong was demolished in 1993, but remains a symbol of what happens when a city evolves anarchically. It was known as 'Hak Nam', or 'City of Darkness.'

January 1, 2010 - Design Observer

December 31, 2009 - Nate Berg

This essay from Urban Omnibus calls for greater collaboration in urban design -- both amongst designers and architects, and with the surrounding community.

December 30, 2009 - Urban Omnibus

Agricultural investors are buying up abandoned and empty land in Detroit -- making a big wager on the future of the city as a farm town.

December 30, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Closed car dealerships across the country are finding new life as yoga studios, classrooms, and day care centers.

December 29, 2009 - Gazette Times