Community / Economic Development
Deceptive Planning Brings Wal-Mart To Disgruntled Community
This piece from The Roanoke Times laments the coming of a Wal-Mart Supercenter, and blasts the planning process that let a proposed mixed-use walkable town center transform into a "big-box juggernaut".
Grass-roots Action Could Improve World's Slums
Can globalization change the world's poorest neighborhoods?
Big Trouble In A Struggling Chinatown
Two civic groups in Washington D.C.'s Chinatown are battling over a proposal to close an alleyway to allow the development of offices. Opponents argue the plan is short-sighted, while others say an economic boost will save the struggling district.
Catch-22 Hinders Harbor Redevelopment Plans
Plans to redevelop a harbor are under consideration in Victoria, British Columbia, but would require the relocation of a busy ferry terminal -- one of the harbor's top services. The ferry's operators say the redevelopment would fail without them.
Commercial Construction Balances Growth
Despite busts in residential construction, American cities such as Phoenix are managing to continue growing due to an influx of commercial construction.
Urban Villages Struggling To Attract Jobs
Three mixed-use, walkable urban villages near Seattle have become very popular with residents since their creation in the '80s and '90s. But while small businesses prosper and home vacancies remain low, few jobs are available.
Hope for Informal Settlements
Collective action and micro financing are two promising models for improving the livability of informal settlements, writes Neal Peirce.
How Tucson Can Learn From Portland
Civic leaders and city officials in Tucson recently traveled to Portland to get advice about how to improve their city while dealing with an expected population boom. The trip highlighted the big differences between the two cities.
Street Vendors Face Ousting In Mexico City
Half a million street vendors fill the squares of Mexico City to make their living. The mayor wants to wipe out the vendors, whose businesses contribute no taxes to the city. But the vendors have their own organization that opposes the city's plans.
Beyond Moses and Jacobs
Neither the block-level gentrification inspired by the patron saint of city planning nor the wide-scale mega-project redevelopment advocated by New York City's infamous planning czar are useful models for the realities of 21st century cities.
The Positive Effects Of Block Parties
Getting neighbors together for community events does more than prevent crime, according to the Project for Public Spaces.
Small Town Residents Uneasy About New Development
Residents in small-town, suburban Boston are on edge about the impending demolition of historic housing to make room for what they fear will be a national chain retailer -- a first for the town.
Developer Ties Mix Of Uses Into Stadium Plans
Officials and developers in St. Louis continue their quest to draw a Major League Soccer team to the city with recently revealed plans for a major stadium-housing-retail-office complex.
Town Hopes Smart Growth Plan Will Boost Economy
The city of Germantown, Tennessee, is on the verge of approving a new "Smart Code" based on Smart Growth and New Urbanism principles. City officials are hoping the new zoning changes will allow the city's economy to blossom.
Will The Auto Mall Come To Berkeley?
The City of Berkeley, California, is considering changing is long-held policy against auto malls within city limits.
D.C. Suburb Redevelopment Plans Lack Guiding Vision
Local government has big plans for redevelopment in the inner suburbs of Washington D.C. But some say the approach is too segmented and lacks a greater vision for many of the region's smaller towns.
Beautification Project Leaves Local Businesses On Shaky Ground
A city-sponsored streetscape beautification project currently under construction in Washington D.C. has been keeping many customers away from local businesses. Many are calling on the city to help out businesses during the construction-caused lull.
Cleveland Region Focuses On Municipal Cooperation
Cleveland and its suburbs are trying to remove some of the regional competition between cities by sharing revenues and resources.
Small Towns That Hit The 'Google' Jackpot
Small towns hungry for economic stimulus have found a willing suitor in the Internet giant, though some accuse Google of using the promise of jobs to win unfair concessions.
The Redevelopment Of Asia's Largest Slum
The Dharavi neighborhood of Mumbai -- home to 600,000 residents -- is set to be razed and rebuilt under a massive redevelopment scheme.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
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
