Community / Economic Development

There's Still Hope For Upstate New York

While the national and local perception of the region is bleak, with the right strategy and mindset, Upstate New York could revive its economy.

February 20, 2007 - Post-Standard

Creating An African American Cultural Center In West Oakland

This report from NPR looks at a neighborhood activist who's leading a movement to revitalize a rundown West Oakland neighborhood into a black cultural district.

February 18, 2007 - NPR

Harlem Refi Hits New High

A staggering $360 million refinance of a gritty 1,800-unit complex from the 1950's is another indicator that high profits can be found in long-overlooked inner-city neighborhoods.

February 16, 2007 - The Slatin Report

Land Grabs In India Spur Criticism

The Communist government in West Bengal, India, has seized the land of thousands of farmer to make room for a car factory. Many criticize the government's emphasis on industrialization.

February 16, 2007 - BBC

One Billion Dollar Plan Unveiled For Atlanta's Signature Street

The ambitious plan proposes to transform Peachtree Street with new streetcars, parks and other amenities. But skeptics wonder if such a massive overhaul is feasible -- or even necessary.

February 15, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Romanian County Seeks Stake In Dracula's Castle

A county in Central Romania has expressed interest in purchasing the castle used by the 15th Century medieval ruler who inspired the tale of "Dracula" -- seeing the castle as an opportunity to increase tourism in the Eastern European country.

February 15, 2007 - Bloomberg via Business Day

L.A.'s Grand Avenue Project Approved

Plans for a broad mixed-use, transit-oriented development have received approval from the Los Angeles City Council and County Board of Supervisors, moving closer to the creation of a what civic leaders hope is a cultural center in downtown L.A.

February 15, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

L.A. Also Looks To Create Ctiywide Wi-Fi Network

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has announced plans to create a citywide network providing free wireless Internet access. L.A. will join more than 300 cities nationwide that offer wireless access.

February 14, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

New Orleans Unified Plan Leaves Neighborhoods Stranded

The Unified New Orleans Plan was supposed to unite seven separate, and often competing, official Hurricane Katrina rebuilding plans. But it has not been able to sidestep the controversial need to align the physical city to its shrunken population.

February 14, 2007 - Bloomberg News

Houston Plans Citywide Wi-Fi Network

The city of Houston is looking to create a wi-fi wireless Internet access network that covers the entire city. If approved, this would be the largest citywide wi-fi network in North America.

February 14, 2007 - The Houston Chronicle

Miami Suburb Looking To Densify

Through the creation of 5 new mixed-use business districts, the low density and auto-oriented Miami suburb of Hialeah is looking to create new growth and economic vibrancy.

February 13, 2007 - The Miami Herald

The Potential Of Infill

In Toronto, two opportunities to breathe life into the forgotten corners of the city.

February 13, 2007 - Maisonneuve

Booming Shanghai Struggles To Create Livability

As Shanghai becomes a new world-class business capital, the city struggles to keep up with its rapid growth.

February 13, 2007 - Business Week

Grand Canyon Skywalk: Eyesore Or Marvel?

Plans for a massive glass skywalk over the Grand Canyon, hotels, and a golf course are aimed at revitalizing a small reservation but critics say the development will commercialize a natural and national treasure.

February 12, 2007 - Abhijeet Chavan

In Iraq, Shiite Sadr City Recovers While Sunni Areas Crumble

Recovery and reconstruction have seen rapid success in Sadr City, Baghdad's largest predominantly Shiite area. Many have moved to this former slum, while violence tends to occur mainly in Sunni areas of Baghdad receiving few recovery resources.

February 12, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

University Improvement Benefits Expand To Entire Region

After 15 years, a university president's ambitious plans to improve his school have made an equal -- if not bigger -- impact on the surrounding region.

February 11, 2007 - The Orlando Sentinel

For New Orleans, Green Plans, But No Green Buildings

While planners and architects are giddy with the possibilities for sustainable development in New Orleans, the actual needs of the city's residents -- namely housing and jobs -- appear to have been forgotten.

February 9, 2007 - American Prospect via Alternet

Boomtown Looks To Hire Lots Of New Planners

The Municipality of Wood Buffalo is looking to fill 49 new positions in its planning and development department to cope with the area's incredible growth -- a result of the tar sands boom in northern Alberta.

February 8, 2007 - Wood Buffalo Communications

Aging Suburban Communities Cope With Urban Problems

The older suburbs around Richmond, Virginia -- and many other cities around the country -- can no longer count on being immune to poverty, crime and under performing schools that has long affected the urban core.

February 8, 2007 - Style Weekly

Rural College Towns Seek To Create Urban Life

Rural colleges are urbanizing their campuses to stay competitive with their peers and keep up with evolving demographic preferences.

February 8, 2007 - The New York Times

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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.