Community / Economic Development

Buffing Up The Bronx

City planners are rezoning an area of the Bronx known for auto shops and storage units to try to create a new bustling neighborhood like SoHo.

February 9, 2009 - The Daily News

We're Just Not That Into the Mall Anymore

The New York Times takes a humorous look at the America's love affair (and breakup) with the mall over an Orange Julius at the Mall of America.

February 9, 2009 - The New York Times

Can Retail Be Reinvented?

February 9, 2009 - Tim Halbur

Kunstler Receives Seaside Prize

Attendees packed the room for the presentation of the Seaside Prize to James Howard Kunstler and to hear new urbanist luminaries discuss the current state of the economy.

February 8, 2009 - The Walton Sun

Inland Empire Seeks Solutions to Foreclosure Crisis

Ron Loveridge, the mayor of the Inland Empire's largest city, Riverside, details how regional and local leaders are working to recover from the effects of the foreclosure crisis.

February 7, 2009 - The Planning Report

Subsidize Green Neighborhoods, Not Green Cars

DC writer Alec Dubro questions the pursuit of the green car, concluding we should cease its financial support. Though people may prefer the car culture, it would make more sense to pursue a ‘post car future’, citing Portland’s compact neighborhoods.

February 6, 2009 - The Progressive

Study Finds Quality of Life Undamaged by Wal-Mart

The arrival of a town's new Wal-Mart is notorious for being detrimental to the community. But when it comes to social capital, obesity, leisure time, and social and political values, Wal-Mart might not be so bad after all, according to one study.

February 6, 2009 - Miller-McCune

What Future Awaits the Suburbs?

The suburbs are struggling right now, but they are still around, physically. Allison Arieff asks what will happen to them next?

February 5, 2009 - The New York Times

Peter Calthorpe's Stimulus Prescription

In this op-ed, Peter Calthorpe warns against a massive investment to stimulate sprawl as was done after WWII. He notes 3 areas that need smart investment to make the American Dream sustainable: urban transit, environment, and multi-family housing.

February 5, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Branded Spaces Spreading

"Branded cities" -- new heavily-sponsored real estate developments with a mix of live- work- and retail-space -- are gaining popularity among developers and spreading around the country.

February 3, 2009 - Media Week

City Buys Homes For Homeless

The city of Dallas is committing to purchase homes for hundreds of homeless residents, rather than building shelters.

February 2, 2009 - Dallas Morning News

D.C. Rising

As other power cities struggle through the recession and fall from grace, now may be Washington D.C.'s time to shine, according to Joel Kotkin.

February 1, 2009 - The Washington Post

The Downtown Shooting Star Sputters

Less than a year ago, downtown Los Angeles was seen as a rising star, on a path towards becoming a vibrant and humming urban core. But the economic dive has stalled many projects, and they could be stalled for quite a while, according to this column.

January 30, 2009 - Los Angeles Magazine

Grassroots Tour Organizers Knock Down "Environmental Racism"

An organization in Chicago's Little Village gives tours to educate its Mexican-American residents on how they can improve their notoriously polluted community. Grassroots efforts like this are being lauded by environmental justice groups.

January 30, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

With No Projects Ready, Metro Boise to Miss Transportation Funds

Congress is expected to offer up to $16 million of stimulus money to the state of Idaho for transportation projects. But in the Treasure Valley -- home to Boise and a third of the state's population -- there aren't any projects that are ready to go.

January 29, 2009 - The Idaho Statesman

Coastal-Heartland Energy Divide (Amongst Democrats)

It's not Blue vs. Red, but Green vs. Brown when it comes to energy policy debates on Capitol Hill.

January 28, 2009 - The New York Times

California Towns Bailout Car Dealerships

Too important to fail? Victorville and Norco, CA have approved loans to local car dealers to keep them afloat.

January 27, 2009 - The Wall St. Journal

The Green Stimulus Plan- In Canada

A proposal for a comprehensive green stimulus plan, backed by a powerful group of environmentalists, unions, and associations, was submitted to Canada's Prime Minister Harper last week.

January 27, 2009 - The Tyee

Top Ten Enlightened Suburbs

Peter Katz and Jay Walljasper pick ten notable suburbs that are breaking the mold and creating new, vibrant communities.

January 26, 2009 - Utne Reader

Real Estate Bust, Part II

America is not just overspent, it is over-malled, and the next wave of foreclosures will hit retail and other commercial real estate.

January 26, 2009 - AlterNet

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.