Community / Economic Development

The Most Musical Cities in North America

This chart from the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto looks at North America's musical epicenters -- cities where the most music is produced.

November 17, 2009 - Creative Class Exchange

Transit Expansion is Streetlife Expansion in L.A.

An extension of one of L.A.'s light rail lines opened this past weekend. Los Angeles Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne offers a hopeful prediction that the extension will inspire an improvement in streetlife.

November 17, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

The Remarkable Rezoning of NYC

Recently the NYC Planning Dept. announced its 100th rezoning since Bloomberg took office. This article takes a spin through the city's remarkable shift in the last 50 years away from industry to business and tourism and a sustainable approach.

November 16, 2009 - New York Observer

Mixed-Use, V.2: Big Box Living

The Rise, a new mixed-use development in Vancouver, includes 1,500 condos, sushi restaurants, art galleries - and a Home Depot.

November 15, 2009 - The Globe and Mail

Inspiration for Kelo Case Leaves Town

Drugmaker Pfizer has announced plans to move offices and 1,400 employees out of New London, Connecticut, where it had ignited a heated debate over eminent domain that spawned the landmark Kelo v. New London Supreme Court case. Locals are not happy.

November 15, 2009 - The New York Times

Turning Old Auto Plants Into Gold

Norwood, Ohio lost 4,000 jobs and gained an empty industrial site back in 1987 when GM left town. "In the long run, it was the best thing that ever happened," says Mayor Tom Williams.

November 14, 2009 - National Real Estate Investor

Will Retail Come Back in 2010?

Experts believe that financing for retail projects may begin flowing early next year, but are concerned that the pool of recipients may be limited, and projects may be conventional.

November 14, 2009 - Retail Traffic Magazine

New London, Four Years After Kelo

The 2005 Supreme Court decision on Kelo v. New London was a landmark in eminent domain law, paving the way for Pfizer to develop there. Four years later, Pfizer is pulling up stakes.

November 13, 2009 - The Hartford Courant

Blakely Blasts New Orleans Recovery Process

A video interview with Ed Blakely, former New Orleans recovery czar, reveals some tensions with the city, its officials, and its people that hindered the recovery process.

November 13, 2009 - New Orleans Times-Picayune

Green Jobs Outlook Not So Rosy

The New England Economic partnership warns that Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's optimism about green jobs may be unrealistic.

November 13, 2009 - The Boston Herald

Bloomberg's Coney Island Dream

NYC has purchased 7 acres of Coney Island from a developer, with the hopes of breathing new life into the People's Playground.

November 12, 2009 - The New York Times

The Green Stadium That Isn't

A critical look at the football stadium proposed for outside Los Angeles, called "green" architecture, but it seems the costs will far outweigh its benefits.

November 11, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Big Ideas Take Hold of Detroit

The American dream is alive and well in Detroit, as artists, urban farmers, and intellectuals see opportunity.

November 10, 2009 - New Geography

The Art of Civic Engagement

In Starksboro, Vermont, planners are using storytelling and community art projects to get at the heart of what matters to residents.

November 9, 2009 - Burlington Free Press

Types of Development for the Creative Class

Cool Town Studios offers this list of 19 development types for the creative class.

November 9, 2009 - Cool Town Studios

The Fall of Victorville

Victorville, CA is a textbook case of the housing bubble gone wrong. Moving forward, Warren Karlenzig argues that places like Victorville show the need to consider a new paradigm of density and efficiency moving forward.

November 8, 2009 - Green Flow blog

Brain Gain in Eastern Germany

After twenty years of reunification, the eastern part of Germany is finally beginning to lure educated workers back.

November 8, 2009 - The New York Times

Isn't This How We Got Into This Mess in the First Place?

In the name of economic stimulus, the government has invested deeply in the very business (real estate) that was driving the economy down. Does that make sense? Streetsblog's Ryan Avent reports.

November 7, 2009 - Streetsblog

The Solution for Homelessness? Homes.

Neal Peirce says that there is finally light at the end of the tunnel in the debate over homelessness, and a consensus that stopgaps don't work. The real answer is to, duh, give them homes.

November 6, 2009 - Citiwire.net

New $6500 Tax Credit for Homebuyers

The U.S. Senate has approved an extension of the tax credit for 1st time homebuyers, which is set to expire in November. The House could vote on Thursday.

November 6, 2009 - Builder Magazine

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.