Community / Economic Development
Banks Exacerbating Foreclosure Crisis
Banks and financial institutions are making the foreclosure crisis worse, as lobbying efforts seek to block bankruptcy courts from gaining more power to reduce debt, according to this article from Der Spiegel.
Much Investment But Little Progress in Vancouver Slum
More than $1 billion has been invested in a Vancouver slum area, but little improvement can be seen, according to this investigation from The Globe and Mail.
Vegas Aching As Conventions Pull Out
Canceled conventions are causing economic pain in Las Vegas.
Protesters Killed in Battle Over Redevelopment in Korea
Violent activists threw gasoline bombs from the top of a building in Seoul, protesting forced evictions to make way for new development. Police stormed the building, and the resulting fire killed six.
An Inside-Out Mall in Mumbai
The 700,000k sq ft Oberoi Mall in Mumbai is an enclosed shopping center that also meets the street on the outside.
Arts Banned in Stimulus Bill
Republican Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma pasted an amendment into the stimulus package banning it from funding museums, arts centers, theaters, stadiums, parks, casinos or golf courses. James S. Russell says, 'starving the arts is suicidal.'
Reborn From the Crisis
In this thorough piece from The Atlantic, Richard Florida looks at the economic crisis facing the world, how it's affecting cities and regions, and how it will have a lasting effect on the U.S. -- in both good and bad ways.
Do You Live in a Miserable City?
The latest Forbes Misery Index sees a number of changes in the roster, with housing bust "ground zero" Stockton California at the "top" of the list.
New Deal Legacies Endangered
Buildings and homes built as a product of the Works Progress Administration of the 1930s are being torn down at a rate that some find unsettling.
Plan Brings New Vision To The Two Augustas
A new master plan for the Georgia cities of Augusta and North Augusta looks to create a unified vision for the area geared around economic development and new housing beyond the traditional downtown.
The Model Slum
According to Prince Charles, Dharavi, the slum featured in 'Slumdog Millionaire,' should be considered a model for the rest of the developing world.
Broken Windows Theory Passes the Test
To conduct a real life experiment with the theory, 17 of Lowell, MA's crime "hot spots" were cleaned up while another 17 were left alone. Researchers found a 20% dip in crime where conditions were improved.
SF a Model for Casual Carpooling
"Casual carpooling," an informal system involving commuting with complete strangers, has taken off in the Bay Area. Passengers and drivers cite money, time, and the environment for its success.
Where Will the Money Go?
Now that the $838 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed the Senate, where will the money go? Stimulus Watch has a breakdown of every project by state, and by type. Here are links to the transit, roads, energy, and housing projects.
All Aboard New Jersey's Gambling Express!
New Jersey launched a new express train service, ACES, to carry visitors to the bustling Atlantic City casinos from NY Penn Station. The trip will take 2 hrs, 45 minutes. Though there won’t be gambling aboard, each train has two bars.
Making Redevelopment Progressive
Mayor R.T. Rybak of Minneapolis is changing the rules of urban economic redevelopment, mainly by not handing out large tax incentives to big businesses.
Going After Graffiti
The city of San Marcos, Texas, near Austin, plans harsher measures to crack down on graffiti, including holding a minor's parents responsible and banning certain graffiti-making tools.
Las Vegas Mayor Gambles on Downtown Revival Plan
Amid tough economic times, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman is pushing a broad redevelopment plan in the city's outdated downtown.
Columbus Kills its Mall
20 years after the Columbus City Center opened its doors, the now nearly abandoned mall is slated to be demolished. The redevelopment agency plans to replace it with a park.
Renewable Industry Sags Due To Credit Crisis
The New York Times reports that the renewable energy industry is hurting badly in this recession. Lack of available credit is the main reason, and while the stimulus bill may help, it will not be the solution.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
