Community / Economic Development
Best Buy Refuses to Conform to Design Standards
Waynesville, North Carolina Mayor Gavin Brown is forced to give up on pedestrian-friendly design to save potential jobs from Best Buy.
Portland's Smart Growth Faces Cries of Gentrification
Portland, famed for its progressive policies and smart growth, is facing criticism that the same growth they are applauded for is squeezing other groups out- particularly African-Americans.
Challenges Ahead for Tyson's Corner To Become Livable City
Tyson's Corner, an auto-oriented suburb of Washington, D.C., reveals ambitious plans to become a dense, urban community. Officials are bracing themselves for tough opposition from locals. The Washington Post story includes a video report.
From Superfund To Super Fun
The City of Saco, Maine is turning land the federal government once labeled a toxic Superfund site into a hub for hiking, fishing, and recreation.
Budapest To Encourage Cycling
Thick congestion has politicians in Budapest looking at ways to improve mobility -- mainly by encouraging bicycle use.
Eminent Domain Used to Save Summer Camp
Representatives in North Providence, RI are attempting to save a site used for a camp for inner-city youth from developers, and may resort to using eminent domain to do so.
Turkey Hopes Planned Dam Generates More Than Electricity
Plans to build a massive dam in Turkey have many hopeful that its creation will revive the local economy.
Israel Weighs Smart Growth
The Movement for Israeli Urbanism makes the case that Israel's current planning policies are not sustainable.
Foreclosures Hit Cleveland Hard
This segment from NPR looks at the city of Cleveland and examines how foreclosures have devastated the city and many of its neighborhoods.
Green Neighborhood Plan Has Residents Riled
As Mayor Bloomberg moves forward with an eco-friendly redevelopment for the crumbling Willets Point neighborhood, locals feel pushed aside and complain that eminent domain is out of control.
Best U.S. City to Raise a Family: Honolulu?
Let the controversy begin -- Best Life Magazine named Honolulu #1 on its list of "The 100 Best Places to Raise a Family", while Flint, Michigan scrapes the bottom. Where does your city rank?
Developer To SF: Let's Make A Deal On Affordable Housing
Hoping to head off a competing ballot measure, Miami-based developer Lennar Corp. has voluntarily agreed to set aside 3,200 of the planned 10,000 homes on San Francisco's Hunters and Candlestick Point for low- and moderate-income families.
More Cities Face Naturally Decreasing Population
More people die than are born in Pittsburgh every year -- seriously impacting the city's schools, laborforce and healthcare infrastructure. Other American cities will soon follow, say demographers.
Redevelopment Induced Sprawl
In Kansas City, many tax increment financing zones are simply luring existing business to move and creating new sprawling development.
The Placemaking Power Of Artists
A recent conference focused on how planners use the transformative effect that artists bring to a community to help jump start urban revitalization.
Cities Want Banks To Pay For Blight Caused By Foreclosures
Minneapolis is one of several cities that have filed lawsuits against mortgage companies, seeking damages for the blight caused by the large number of foreclosures in some of its neighborhoods.
The Wildflower Wars
A dazzling wildflower season spells trouble for master-planned communities across the West.
How To Justify Economic Development Subsidies
Quebec is notorious for its lavish subsidies designed to lure business. But with transparent accounting and a cost-benefit ratio of 3.74 to 1, the province's economic development agency makes sure taxpayers know what they are getting for their money.
Swapping A Sports Arena For More Vibrant Streetscape
Architects in Baltimore are arguing that the city should build its new arena near its other sports facilities, freeing up the old location for redevelopment that can help revitalize its downtown.
The City, the College and the Hospital
This article from Governing looks at the role of higher education and medical facilities in keeping urban areas alive.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
