Community / Economic Development

Jane Jacobs vs. Robert Moses

A review by John King of Anthony Flint's new book, Wrestling With Moses: How Jane Jacobs Took On New York's Master Builder and Transformed the American City.

July 29, 2009 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Reset America

Author Kurt Andersen's new book describes the last three decades as a period of wanton growth, from homes to waistlines. He sees the economic bust as a way to return sanity and size appropriateness.

July 29, 2009 - Boing Boing

Top Cities for Local Food

The Huffington Post offers a mouth-watering slide show of the top 10 cities for locavores, and asks readers for suggestions of examples they might have missed [Slideshow]

July 28, 2009 - Huffington Post

Community Rebuilding in New Orleans

Rebuilding is underway in New Orleans. But not with huge conglomerates running the show. Most of the work is being done by non-profits, startups and other community-based organizations.

July 28, 2009 - WorldChanging

Cost Concerns Linger Over Chicago's Olympic Bid

Organizers claim city money won't be needed as Chicago edges closer to securing the 2016 Summer Olympics, but locals are wary about the costs that could fall on them. The recession is exacerbating concerns.

July 28, 2009 - The New York Times

A Mall Opens in Tough Times

A $276 million mixed-use remake of a 1973-era mall is opening on Interstate 64 in southeastern Virginia. While the retail is trickling in, the housing element is filling up quickly.

July 27, 2009 - New Urban News

The Burgeoning Art Center of Africa

Cape Town, South Africa is developing into the cultural center of the continent, according to this piece from Travel + Leisure.

July 27, 2009 - Travel + Leisure

Synergy in Underused Spaces

In Jackson, Wyoming, a restaurant is a taqueria by day and a Nepalese restaurant in the evenings. Why isn't this sort of space sharing a more common solution to using urban spaces?

July 26, 2009 - WorldChanging

The Resilient and the Rest

This piece from Forbes looks at which cities will recover fastest from the recession -- and which ones won't.

July 26, 2009 - Forbes

Sabotaging the Smart Grid

James Surowiecki argues that state governments are sabotaging the economic recovery, and simultaneously sinking the creation of a smart energy grid.

July 24, 2009 - The New Yorker

Brazil's $42 Billion World Cup Investment

It's going to cost Brazil more than $42 billion in infrastructure costs to host the 2014 soccer World Cup, according to a recent report.

July 24, 2009 - Associated Press

A Look at Housing Prices in the Recession

These two posts from Richard Florida look at how housing is faring during the economic recession. He looks at home prices in 300 metro areas, and how things have changed between the peak in 2006 to today.

July 24, 2009 - Creative Class Exchange

Early Benefits for Vancouver in Olympic Development

Vancouver's development for the 2010 Winter Olympics will be a long-term benefit for the city, according to Olympics advisers. Some say the positive impact is already being seen.

July 23, 2009 - The Vancouver Sun

Connecting the Museum With the Community

Museums are transitioning from niche cultural sites to community hubs, and expanding their engagement with their cities.

July 23, 2009 - Christian Science Monitor

From Trash to Splash

Dumpster diving takes on new meaning as a New York-based design firm reinvents vacant lots as mini-resorts by converting old trash bins into swimming pools.

July 22, 2009 - ABC News

LEED-ND: Yay or Nay?

After five years of preparation and testing, members of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Congress for the New Urbanism will begin balloting in late July on whether to authorize a full-fledged LEED-Neighborhood Development program.

July 22, 2009 - New Urban News

Banning Billboards

The city of El Paso, Texas, considers whether to become the latest of several cities to impose new restrictions on billboards that amounts to a ban on future construction.

July 22, 2009 - El Paso Times

Films a Blessing and a Curse for Small New Mexico Towns

Small towns in New Mexico are increasingly being used as film locations. But for some locals, the invasion of Hollywood is not worth the economic benefits.

July 21, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Police Checkpoints Violate Rights to Public Access

The city of Washington, D.C. learns its police checkpoints aimed at reducing crime in hot spots are unconstitutional.

July 20, 2009 - Washington Post

City Pride Fail

A famous beacon atop a building in downtown Pittsburgh has been broadcasting the city's name in Morse code since 1929. The only problem is they spelled it wrong.

July 19, 2009 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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.