Community / Economic Development
Manufacturing Jobs Returning to U.S.
As offshoring becomes more expensive due to the higher costs of shipping an international infrastructure, more companies are making plans to expand their manufacturing operations at home.
Senior Citizens Create Jobs
A business analyst in Las Vegas suggests that the state should attempt to attract senior citizens to retire, because his report shows that seniors 'create jobs, spend a lot of money and are not a drag on government services.'
America's Depression, Infrastructure and Stubborn Way of Life
This essay from Places looks at today's economic depression, the nation's crumbling infrastructure, and various efforts to rethink they way America looks at fixing its cities.
20 Years of Resurgence in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has seen some dramatic decline over the past half century. Michael A. Stern, ASLA, LEED AP takes a look at the last 20 years of the city as it begins to rebound.
A Return to the Countryside in Battered Haiti
Haitians are moving back out into the countryside after the Capital city of Port-au-Prince suffered devastation from a series of earthquakes this month. Some argue the move back to the country may be a good thing for Haiti.
New Urbanism in Abu Dhabi
While Dubai's fantastical Burj Khalifa is mostly empty and development has ground to a halt, Abu Dhabi continues to develop - and smartly, says Philip Langdon.
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.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
