Community / Economic Development
Shopping Malls Are Dead -- Long Live Lifestyle Centers
The Economist offers a fascinating review of the evolution of the suburban shopping mall into the hot new "lifestyle center." The conclusion: "It was necessary to kill the American city centre before bringing it back to life."
A New Approach To Economic Development Help For Entrepreneurs
Nearly every community talks about attracting more entrepreneurs. But aside from programs like SCORE, which assists entrepreneurs with business plans, and some efforts at growing venture-capital funds, most communities scratch their heads over how to
Toy Libraries Critical To Childhood Development
Libraries for toys are popping up in developing countries all over the world, and especially in Africa, giving poor children a glimpse of a less troubled childhood. Many say the simple libraries are making big changes in the children's development.
Miami On The Verge Of Major Downtown Makeover
County officials are moving forward with four mega-projects designed to improve downtown Miami. Critics wonder if they will really benefit the taxpayer.
Town On The Farm
The massive farm bill making its way through Congress will only perpetuate social and environmental sustainability. What's also needed is legislation to boost the urban economics of local food production, writes Christopher Cook.
Sacramento's Big Opportunity Needs A Cautious Approach
Plans are moving forward to redevelop a massive railyard site near downtown Sacramento. It could be a major boon for the city, but as California Planning and Development Report's Paul Shigley writes, the city should moved ahead cautiously.
Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalized For Renters, Owners and Retailers
The non-profit neighborhood housing group Hope Community has renovated ten houses, built 126 affordable rental units, and has two mixed income projects under way in one depressed and crime-ridden Minneapolis block.
Traffic Problems Have Relocating Businesses Wary Of Atlanta
Atlanta's traffic problems are beginning to affect businesses' decisions to relocate there.
Tech Startups Rebuild Rural Areas
High-tech businesses and industries are popping up in more and more rural towns, bringing jobs and boosting the economies of these small areas.
The Rise of The 'Green Collar' Job
By creating "green collar" jobs, cities across the country are creating jobs and helping the environment.
Slowing The Development Process In New York
Daniel Doctoroff, deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding in New York, discusses the changing (and more deliberate) way the city now goes about pursuing development projects.
Are Jerusalem's Ghost Towns A Problem To Solve?
Jerusalem has an increasing number of "ghost town" neighborhoods, where tourist housing has left areas empty for much of the year. This article looks at the proposed solution to this problem, and wonders whether there is even a problem at all.
Business Carbon Tax Proposed In San Francisco
A ballot measure aimed for November 2008 will ask San Francisco voters to raise the commercial utilities tax and lower the city's payroll tax in an effort to reduce energy usage, increase use of public transit, and increase recycling.
Energizing Canada's Urban 'Magnets'
A new report ranking Canada's cities in terms of their ability to attract skilled workers finds that looming demographic challenges and infrastructure deficits will require urgent attention from higher levels of government.
The Most Important Year In New Orleans History
According to Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Louisiana's recovery has reached the tipping point, setting 2008 up as the year New Orleans will truly come back.
The Marseille Model
As racial tensions erupt across France, the diverse city of Marseille has remained calm. Many look to it as a model for the future of an increasingly ethnically-mixed France and Europe.
The New Suburban Ghetto
High foreclosure rates are turning Charlotte's new starter home suburbs into bastions of crime and decay.
Main Street Preservation Aims Harm Economy
This article from Reason looks at a regulatory system in Alexandria, Virginia, that seeks to maintain the city's historic Old Town neighborhood. But is the regulation burdening local businesses owners to the point of hurting the economy?
Lagos: Africa's New York City
This video from Current profiles Lagos, Nigeria, the world's fastest growing megacity.
Closing Schools Opens Doors
On the tail of a recent announcement that Washington D.C. would decommission up to two dozen public schools, columnist Roger K. Lewis suggests that the closings can be a good thing, and that they open the door for adaptive reuse.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
