Community / Economic Development
Can Charlotte Overtake Atlanta as Powerhouse of the South?
Atlanta is seen by many as the economic powerhouse of the South. But some say Charlotte's progress in providing transit and reducing traffic may begin to tip the scales.
Vacant Storefronts Sell Space for Ads
Crushed by the falling economy, failing retail spaces are renting their storefronts to make a some extra cash.
Stimulus Trickles Down For CDBGs
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has set aside $980 million for Community Development Block Grants, which will be split among 1,200 governments.
Working Families Charged Rent to Live in New York Shelters
Families who have income will now be charged a small rent to stay in public housing shelters in New York City, part of a 1997 state law that had up until now gone unenforced.
Small Towns Work to Keep Young Population
Towns in East Texas have watched their children graduate high school and leave town for generations- in some towns, up to 90% of graduates flee. Job development is key to keeping the kids down on the farm, but older locals balk at growth.
Reviving the Rust Belt
Smart City talks with grass roots and civic leaders about how to revitalize flagging Rust Belt economies.
Car Factory Revives Georgia City
West Point, Georgia began to decline when the textile industry moved out. Now, it's experiencing a renaissance as a new car factory moves into town, bringing 20,000 jobs by 2014.
Dubai's Migrant Construction Workers Bear Brunt of Downturn
The economic downturn is hurting Dubai, as glitzy skyscraper projects come to a halt. But the biggest pain is being felt among the hundreds of thousands of migrant construction workers who came to the city seeking their fortunes.
Recession Fuels 'Neighboring'
Community participation is on the rise, and many sociologists think it's related to the recession.
Property Prices Drop 41% in Dubai
The recession digs into Dubai, where property prices fell 41% in the first three months of 2009.
Japan's Stimulus Package Lowers Highway Tolls To Stimulate Travel
Japan's four major highway operators will drastically lower their tolls, thanks to a generous government economic stimulus package aimed to encourage motoring during the major holidays. The operators are preparing for the enormous traffic jams.
Cities Search for Neighborhood Stabilization Tools
Cities struck by the foreclosure crisis are implementing a number of measures to help prevent foreclosures and stabilize neighborhoods already racked by vacancies.
The Battle Over Growth in Portland
A documentary focusing on Portland's urban growth boundary begins airing this month on public television stations across the country. It includes interviews with proponents on all sides of the smart growth issue.
U.S. Cities Fare Poorly in World Livability Ranking
In terms of global urban livability, American cities are not so hot. The highest ranking city, Honolulu, comes in at 29 in the results of the Worldwide Quality of Living Survey.
DOT and HUD, Together Again
DOT and HUD announce a joint effort to merge land use and planning to improve livability. CNU's John Norquist comments on the merger.
Pittsburgh Mayor Announces Riverfront Revamping
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced that the city will work to redevelop a 6.2 stretch of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, selling large tracts of city-owned land to developers.
'Casino City' Planned in Spain
The Spanish government is moving forward with plans to build the largest casino and entertainment complex in Europe
Rebuilding as the "Town of the Future"
After Greensburg, Kansas was nearly flattened by a tornado in 2007, rebuilding the town has taken an environmentally conscious road.
The Art of Balancing Retail
Diversity is important to neighborhood commercial areas, but getting the right balance of retail and restaurants without disincentivizing the former is not so simple.
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
