Community / Economic Development
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Housing Market Climbs Back in Phoenix
Phoenix is undergoing another housing boom, with buyers clamoring to buy up properties with significantly discounted prices.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Caracas, The City that Built Itself
Utopian modernism turned on its head in Caracas, where residents have made fifty-year-old superblock housing projects into the locus of sprawling improvised settlements.
New Suburb Plans Dropped Amid Market Downturn
Due to the downturn in the housing market, plans for a new development that would essentially become a 20,000-person suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area have been abandoned.
Big Box Exit Spells Trouble for Local Economy
In Dublin, CA, the failure of a slew of big box retailers has created retail deadzones, dragging down local businesses and economies.
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
