Community / Economic Development

With a recent infusion of $44 million and hopes for more from the federal stimulus package, regional light rail is gathering momentum in Detroit. Advocates see more than mobility in the struggling city's future.

March 17, 2009 - The Detroit Free Press

Canadians are impressed by USA Today's rave review of their city last week, but the CBC says that its not all wine and roses in Vancouver.

March 17, 2009 - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)

Good green jobs are on the way - just not right away due to recession. Stimulus funds - not just from U.S. but many nations are investing in their economies by targeting renewable energy, smart electricity grids, energy efficiency, and more.

March 17, 2009 - Financial Times - Business & The Environment

Braddock is a town that lost 90% of its population in the aftermath of the steel industry's collapse. NPR's Jack Lyden talks with mayor John Fetterman about his efforts to revitalize the area.

March 16, 2009 - NPR

For years, not-for-profit agencies were relied upon to cover social and housing services formerly provided by governments. Now that municipal and state budgets are drying up along with foundation grants, NGOs are losing their funding sources.

March 16, 2009 - The Nation

The revitalization of downtown Los Angeles took another hit this week, as real estate firm Meruleo Maddox Properties Inc., the largest private landowner in the area, revealed that it may have to file for bankruptcy protection.

March 16, 2009 - The Wall St. Journal

As part of a special issue on food, Yes! Magazine profiles the Brazilian city of Belo, which has, by working with farmers and communities, put an end to hunger.

March 16, 2009 - Yes! Magazine

Next American City's Jeffrey Hill reads through the federal stimulus bill to find good news for cities.

March 16, 2009 - Next American City

Indianapolis is a thriving job market, while Detroit is rapidly decaying and drying up. What's the difference? Policies encouraging public-private partnerships, according to this article from Next American City.

March 15, 2009 - Next American City

Developers have released plans for a mixed use retail project to replace a horse racing track, a proposal that would be one of the largest redevelopment projects in the region.

March 14, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Jacksonville, Florida officials are considering removing pay phones on sidewalks and in downtown parks, which are often viewed as nuisances that hinder efforts to make neighborhoods cleaner and safer.

March 13, 2009 - The Florida Times-Union

The imminent closing of the Virgin Megastore in New York City may be a sign that the traditional music store will soon be extinct.

March 13, 2009 - Salon.com

Metropolitan regions are the most important factors in supporting prosperous economies. For national economies to succeed, metropolitan regions must succeed, according to this article from the Brookings Institution.

March 12, 2009 - The Brookings Institution

Vancouver is following the example of American cities such as Portland and Seattle in allowing backyard chicken coops.

March 12, 2009 - The Globe and Mail

San Pedro, CA is the scene of a battle between developers and locals, and local neighborhood councils are using increasingly sophisticated organizing tools to bring residents to the table.

March 12, 2009 - The Los Angeles Times

A tent city is burgeoning in Sacramento, Calif., prompting local officials to consider whether such an encampment should be made permanent, with plumbing and all.

March 12, 2009 - The New York Times

Though challenged with facing a multi-tiered government, Nicholas Sarkozy has nonetheless devised one of the most ambitious plans ever for Paris. To reimagine this bolder, greener "Grand Paris," he has put 10 teams of architects and planners to work.

March 11, 2009 - AFP

As money-poor mega-developments become less feasible to construct, builders may soon have to revert to developing at a smaller scale--a strategy that makes still more sense economically.

March 11, 2009 - Greater Greater Washington

Car-free for more than 15 years, Chicago opened its dying pedestrian mall on State Street to vehicular traffic in 1996, with huge success. Should Boston planners and officials consider a similar strategy for its Downtown Crossing?

March 11, 2009 - The Boston Globe

This piece from Metropolis looks at a rail line that was converted into a bike trail in Detroit, and how it has become a well-used neighborhood connector.

March 11, 2009 - Metropolis