Community / Economic Development

Agriculture as Growth Sector?

Herve Kemp believes that the future of employment in Europe will include a million "family farmer jobs."

May 28, 2009 - Truthout

Fewer Shoppers Driving into Downtown

Only 17% of shoppers in downtown San Francisco drove to get there, according to a new survey conducted by The San Francisco County Transportation Authority.

May 27, 2009 - Streetsblog SF

Making Grocers More Appetizing to Developers

Last week, Mayor Bloomberg's office announced an initiative to encourage developers to include grocery stores in new projects. Nevin Cohen, whose research focuses on urban food system, reviews the plan.

May 25, 2009 - Nevin Cohen

Cities Struggling, But Not Raising Taxes

Falling tax revenues are a major element of the current economic woes facing many American cities. A recent study by the Pew Charitable Trust finds that few are increasing taxes in order to close budget gaps.

May 23, 2009 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Regulations, But Growing Demand for Taco Trucks

Taco trucks are coming under fire in a lot of cities, as officials try to figure out how to handle the nomadic restaurants. As the Hispanic population grows, so does the popularity of the trucks.

May 20, 2009 - The Los Angeles Times

Why Are Cities Growing?

With globalization meaning goods can be shipped cheaply anywhere, and the internet means you can work anywhere, why are cities growing like crazy? Prof. Edward L. Glaeser of Harvard says that proximity breeds innovation.

May 20, 2009 - The New York Times

From Cheap Cars to Cheap Housing

The Indian discount automaker Tata is now venturing into home production, building 1,000 apartments near Mumbai with prices starting at $7,800.

May 20, 2009 - Business Week

A Community Vision for Boise

Residents in the greater Boise area are teaming up for a community visioning process they hope will help guide future physical and economic development in the region. It's been tried before, but organizers argue this time will be different.

May 19, 2009 - The Idaho Statesman

Cheap Homes, Meet New Immigrants

Adam Matthews of GOOD Magazine looks at the $500 homes in places like Buffalo and sees opportunity for new immigrants, which in turn could help turn these places around.

May 19, 2009 - GOOD Magazine

Can Sports Save Ailing Cities?

With activities ranging from organized running to the Homeless World Cup, sports are helping to improve the lives of people on the ropes, bringing increased motivation and community-building.

May 19, 2009 - Next American City

Single Operator Suggested for Coney Island, But Character Loss is Feared

Theme park experts suggest contracting a single operator to manage Coney Island, but there's some push back from city officials who fear a loss of diversity and character.

May 19, 2009 - Brooklyn Paper

No Jobs in Youth Magnet Cities, But Crowds Keep Coming

Cities like Portland and Austin have been magnets for young professionals. Amid the recession, these cities have few jobs to offer. But the hipsters keep coming.

May 18, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Housing Market Climbs Back in Phoenix

Phoenix is undergoing another housing boom, with buyers clamoring to buy up properties with significantly discounted prices.

May 18, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Economic Troubles for Low-Income Families ... and the Services They Depend On

This piece from Color Lines looks at how the economic downturn is affecting low-income populations, and how social services are having trouble keeping up with an increasing demand for help.

May 18, 2009 - Color Lines

Immigrant Outreach Goes Door-to-Door

Neal Peirce looks at a broad citizen outreach program in Montgomery County, Maryland, engages its growing immigrant population by actually interacting with them face-to-face.

May 18, 2009 - Citiwire

Successful Cities and Green Jobs

This week's episode of Smart City explores what makes a city successful and tracks the future of the green job market.

May 18, 2009 - Smart City

The Troubles Facing Nevada's Master Planned Communities

Las Vegas and Southern Nevada are chock-full of planned communities. The region is also struggling with some of the harshest declines in property values in the nation. Though planned communities are seeing some sales, they are mainly in trouble.

May 17, 2009 - Las Vegas Sun

Mixed-Use for Mormons

A private development of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, City Creek Center will be the largest mixed-use project in Salt Lake City.

May 15, 2009 - The New York Times

Brainstorm: What Should Cities Do With Their Newly Empty Car Lots?

With the auto industry struggling and car dealerships closing shop, what future do you see for empty car lots? Vote on ideas submitted by the Planetizen community, or suggest your own.

May 15, 2009 - Planetizen

California Landmarks Up For Sale

In an effort to raise some cash, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed selling off some of the state's historic landmarks -- including San Quentin Prison and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

May 14, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

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.