Community / Economic Development

'Design as Activism': The Rise of the Citizen Architect

This special issue of Metropolis Magazine highlights "citizen architects" working on small-scale projects to improve local communities.

October 30, 2008 - Metropolis Magazine

Adaptively Reusing Brooklyn's Industrial Spaces

Preservationists say that there are better ways to use buildings along Brooklyn's industrial waterfront than to demolish them.

October 30, 2008 - The New York Times

Car Dealerships Closing Shop

Car dealerships -- long-sought by cities as big tax revenue generators -- are struggling in the economic downturn. Nearly 600 have closed this year, and another 100 are expected to shut down by the end of the year.

October 30, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

The Work of Neighborhood Stabilization

Foreclosures are blighting neighborhoods across the country. There's no question that something needs to be done. But to react effectively, the field of community development needs to carefully consider which areas should be targeted and how much can be saved, argues Charles Buki.

October 30, 2008 - Charles Buki

Segregated in the City

As more and more people move to the cities, the prevalence of economic and racial segregation becomes more and more apparent.

October 29, 2008 - Next American City

Obama, the 'Tin-Cup Urbanist'

If history is any indicator, Senator Obama's presidential plans to pump more federal money into fixing cities' problems are futile and wasteful, according to Steven Malanga.

October 29, 2008 - City Journal

America's 'Worst Slum' Revitalized

Thirty-one years ago, Jimmy Carter called Crotona Park East the worst slum in America. Today, this Bronx neighborhood has overcome its past with new homes and a lively park.

October 28, 2008 - The New York Times

Op-Ed: Russia's Health Crisis Belies Its Economic Success

Russia's economic transformation due to its oil wealth is well-known, but not so the state of its public health which shows an alarming contrasting picture.

October 28, 2008 - The New York Times

An Iconic Promise, But Empty Returns

What was meant to be an icon for the city of Memphis has become a burden, as the city's pyramid-shaped sports and concert complex sits vacant and unused. The city is still trying to find a way to reuse it.

October 27, 2008 - The New York Times

New Urbanism in North Augusta

The first phase completed, the residents of North Augusta, SC contemplate the effect of New Urbanism on the neighborhood known as Hammond's Ferry.

October 27, 2008 - Augusta Chronicle

China's Mortgage 'Bailout'

Officials in China are moving to implement a handful of strategies to combat the housing slump, including tax breaks, smaller down-payment requirements and lower loan rates for first-time buyers.

October 27, 2008 - The Wall St. Journal

Wal-Mart as Engine for Local Economies?

Some Canadian communities are seeing their local economies thriving despite -- or is it because of? -- the presence of Wal-Mart.

October 26, 2008 - Globe and Mail

Income Gap in American Cities As Bad As African Cities

Income inequality in U.S. cities rivals that of many African cities, which struggle with deep divides between the haves and the have-nots, according to a recent report from the United Nations.

October 26, 2008 - Reuters

Homeless at the Mall

A reporter goes undercover as a homeless person to find out what happens when the indigent pay a visit to L.A.'s first corporate-controlled public park.

October 24, 2008 - LA Weekly

Reusing Empty Big Boxes

Sometimes big box retailers get too big for the boxes they're in. So they move. What's left behind are huge empty buildings -- and opportunities for re-use.

October 24, 2008 - NPR

Real Estate Market Won't Hit Bottom 'Til 2009

The Urban Land Institute reports on their new study, which predicts the real estate market will hit bottom in 2009 and 'flounder' through 2010.

October 24, 2008 - ULI's The Ground Floor

U.S. Has Third Greatest Income Inequality

October 23, 2008 - The Concord Monitor

(Almost) Creative City

London, Ontario has been focused on retaining and embracing its creative class. The city remains optimistic that it's on the right track toward becoming a creative city--which has been good news for its economy.

October 23, 2008 - The Londoner

Rebuilding Underway in Sichuan Province

A California-based architecture firm has been selected by a Sichuan planning department to rebuild the city of Dujiangyan after the deadly earthquake in the province earlier this year.

October 23, 2008 - Architectural Record

Leave the Sprawl of the Past Behind

A melting economy and struggling suburbs may mean it's time to reconsider how we model our cities and development patterns, according to this column.

October 23, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

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.