Community / Economic Development
Rural Economies Imprisoned by Prison Building
Prison construction is flourishing under the assumption that it boosts rural economies, but as Eric Lotke points out, investing in other types of building would yield greater returns to society.
Denver Pushes Projects to Fuel Economy
In an effort to revitalize the local economy, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has announced a plan to fast-track more than 200 construction projects in the city.
Economic Tremors Felt By New Urbanists
"Economic troubles spread from housing to other development sectors, including retail and offices."
Is 'Peak Hierarchy' Next?
David Bollier argues that large institutions and businesses may have reached their peak, and we're headed towards a 'peer production' economy.
Density Creates Childcare Options
The City of Vancouver is trading density for childcare, creating much-needed centers from density bonuses for new condo developments. The first such project, a 202-unit building called Atelier, opens one year from now.
Pro-WalMart Study Refuted
A new and widely publicized study claims that there is no evidence that Wal-Mart has had a negative impact on the small business sector. A close inspection of the study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance argues that the report is flawed.
From Edge-City to Real City
Its way of life no longer en vogue, the auto-centric suburb of Tysons Corner, VA plans to undergo a large-scale transformation into a walkable, "real" city over the course of the next 30 years.
BofA Ends Financing for Mountaintop Removal Mining
Rainforest Action Network and Natural Resources Defense Council enjoyed a huge victory when Bank of America decided last week to end its financing of controversial, destructive mountain top removal coal mining in Appalachia.
$1/Gallon Gas Consumption Tax Proposal
In this Mercury News Op-Ed, San Jose State University Professor Larry Gerston proposes this bold tax for mass transit and alternative energy programs. It yields $175 billion annually and creates green jobs, enabling us to determine our destiny.
Obama's Stimulus Package Disappoints
Columnist David Brooks warns that the Obama stimulus package fails to build on the current social movement to enliven existing suburbs and instead appears to follow a traditional roads, bridges, and refurbishing existing infrastructure approach.
On Molokai, A Development is Stopped
The plan: 200 luxury homes on Molokai's waterfront, in exchange for jobs and preserving thousands of acres of land. Locals fought the compromise, and the economic shift brought an abrupt halt to the project- dragging other businesses down with it.
Foreclosures Swarm Through Las Vegas
Foreclosures are spreading across the country like a plague, and there's almost no place worse hit than Las Vegas.
Incentivizing Developers In A Slump
How should cities incentivize developers in a down market? And should they? William Fulton reflects on the price cities will pay to get new buildings, and if it is worth it.
Miami Transformed By Art Festivals
This article from the Miami Herald looks at the annual art fair Art Basel and how it transforms the city -- temporarily and permanently.
Cities Struggling to Work With Stabilization Funds
Congress has approved a $4 billion federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program, but as the funding trickles down to cities, many find the money too tight to solve many of their problems.
Vancouver Growth Primarily Second Homes
Construction is booming in Vancouver, with tall condo buildings rising around the city. The city has become more sophisticated over the last several years, and has attracted a significant market of second-home buyers.
Rural Town Brings in Students for Preliminary Planning
Middlebury College students have been commissioned to simply get to know Starksboro, Vermont for a semester. The hope is that their findings will help develop a plan that embraces growth while upholding the things unique to the small town.
Cemetery Moved For Landfill?
Elected officials in the Atlanta area decide to relocate a historic cemetery to make room for a landfill. NAACP officials believe the relocation fits a pattern of racial discrimination.
The Budget and Billy the Elephant
Los Angeles' budget shortfall could mean sending its zoo's only elephant to a Northern California sanctuary. Over time, funding for city services are also predicted to get slashed.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
