Community / Economic Development

The Sustainable Future Of Coney Island

New York has been looking for ways to rejuvenate the area surrounding its historic Coney Island boardwalk themepark. This article from the Gotham Gazette says the city should use the opportunity to create a model for sustainable development.

September 20, 2007 - The Gotham Gazette

Residents And Housing Associations Grapple Over Clotheslines

Across the country, communities and housing associations are finding themselves in heated debates over what would otherwise be a rather banal subject: drying clothes. Some want to use clotheslines, but others worry about plummeting property values.

September 20, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Should Hong Kong And Shenzhen Merge?

Government planners in China are proposing a megacity merger between Hong Kong and neighboring Shenzhen to create a metropolis of more than 20 million people, but some fear the metropolis would be too big.

September 19, 2007 - BBC

Progress Slow For San Diego's 'City of Villages' Plan

The city's lauded framework plan for implementing smart growth practices has failed to deliver on its promises, say some residents and experts.

September 18, 2007 - Voice of San Diego

Will Atlanta's Beltline Be Solely For The Wealthy?

A new study shows that property values have spiked around the proposed parkway, threatening to price lower-income residents out of their homes.

September 18, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Low-Income Artist Housing

Washington D.C.'s Cultural Development Corporation is pushing condo conversions to create affordable housing for low-income artists.

September 17, 2007 - The Washington Post

World's Financial Centers Thrive Despite Tech Boom

Predictions that our high-tech age of connectivity and wire-free communications would drain big cities, the world's financial centers remain heavily populated and their economies are thriving.

September 16, 2007 - The Economist

World Ag At Risk From Global Warming

World agricultural productivity could decline between 3-16% by 2080. Developing countries will experience the biggest drop.

September 16, 2007 - Center for Global Development

Pasadena: The Great Planning Success Story

In a ranking of California's best and worst mid-sized city downtowns, California Planning & Development Report concluded that Pasadena's reputation is well-earned. Many say the transformation has been miraculous -- and it continues today.

September 14, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Turning A City Green

A small town in England has been able to embrace the participation and enthusiasm of many of its 1,000 residents in an effort to become the first carbon-neutral village in the UK.

September 14, 2007 - GOOD Magazine

Dam Plan Threatens Historic Turkish City

Plans to build a dam will bring much-needed economic development to a struggling Turkish region, but will also destroy ancient caves, mosques, and buildings carved into sandstone canyons along the Tigris River.

September 13, 2007 - BBC

Highway Expansion Plans Justified By Economic Benefits

Plans to widen a highway in British Columbia are being justified by a projection of nearly $4 billion in economic development. Proponents are allaying air quality concerns, arguing that auto emission controls will improve enough to reduce any impact.

September 12, 2007 - The Vancouver Sun

Housing Versus Jobs and Tax Revenue In San Jose

Planners in San Jose, California, say the massive conversion of industrial lands is eroding the city's jobs and tax Base. Housing developers disagree.

September 12, 2007 - San Jose Mercury News

L.A. May Place Moratorium On Fast Food

The Los Angeles City Council will consider a moratorium on fast-food restaurants in South L.A., a part of the city with high rates of obesity and below-average access to grocery stores.

September 12, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

Homeless Shelter Plan Drives Away Local Businesses

In downtown Boise, recently announced plans to construct a homeless shelter have many local business owners upset and making arrangements to move out of the area. The city, however, is defending its decision to approve the shelter.

September 12, 2007 - The Idaho Statesman

Buffalo Repopulation Plan Irks Cattle Ranchers

Plans to buy up land in the Great Plains and repopulate them with pre-settlement species such as buffalo have many cattle ranchers on edge. But proponents say these species are meant to be there -- in both an economical and and ecological sense.

September 11, 2007 - Long Haul Productions

The Bronx Is Burning Over Yankee Stadium Parking

Residents of the South Bronx are opposed to new parking garages for Yankee Stadium, which will be subsidized with tax-exempt bonds issued by New York City.

September 10, 2007 - Streetsblog

Amid Growth, Vancouver Survives

The growth of Vancouver has far surpassed what planners projected half a century ago. And though some problems have followed, the region's growth hasn't wrought the city's downfall, as many expected.

September 10, 2007 - The Vancouver Sun

Start-Ups Sprout On Wal-Mart's Green Path

Wal-Mart's efforts to reduce waste and operate in an environmentally-friendly manner has fueled a green business boom in an Arkansas town near the corporation's headquarters.

September 10, 2007 - The Washington Post

Billboard Ban Will Hurt Small Business

This column criticizes the recently-passed Kansas City ordinance that restricts billboard advertising within the city, claiming it will disproportionately harm local small businesses that are already having trouble getting noticed.

September 9, 2007 - The Kansas City Star

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.