Community / Economic Development

Interview With L.A.'s New Planning Chief

Gail Goldberg speaks about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as she tackles planning for the nation's second largest city.

July 16, 2006 - LA Downtown News

Small Town America Movie Tourism

A small town in Idaho is looking to capitalize on the success of a cult film by drawing more visitors.

July 16, 2006 - The New York Times

HomeStretch: Building and Selling, Affordably in Michigan

Innovative group helps working families live closer to town.

July 15, 2006 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Google May Help Reverse Michigan's Brain Drain

State and local officials hope Google's announcement of plans to open new facility in Ann Arbor, MI, will attract more companies to the area.

July 13, 2006 - The Detroit Free Press

What Happens When A Company Town Scales Back Public Services?

The quaint lumber company town of Scotia, California, fears a merger with its slightly larger, but economically-depressed neighbor across the river.

July 12, 2006 - The New York Times

The Younger Crowd Wants Transit

As the country's housing preferences shift from the widely spread to the urban and dense, the prevalence of transit-oriented development planning increases.

July 12, 2006 - Smart Growth Online

South Africa To Distribute Industry

The South African government has unveiled a new plan to spread its industrial development -- and the jobs it provides -- to poor regions in the country.

July 12, 2006 - Business Day

How To Make Melbourne The Most Livable Again

Architects, artists, urban planners, developers, designers and historians comment on the world's formerly most livable city, why it's lost the title and how to can reclaim it.

July 11, 2006 - The Age

Convention Center A Bad Investment For Taxpayer Dollars

Los Angeles' recent decision to provide over $300 million in public assistance for a new convention center hotel complex doesn't help the city or the taxpayer, says Joel Kotkin.

July 11, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

One Town's Stand Against New Downtown Banks

Morristown, New Jersey, wants to ban any new bank branches from the town's business district to protect its lively pedestrian character.

July 8, 2006 - The New York Times

'Bamboo Trains' -- Cambodia's Ride Of Choice

Cambodians frustrated with shoddy trains and inconsistent service have taken transportation into their own hands, constructing and operating trains made primarily out of bamboo. The trains run at nearly 25 mph and are largely meeting transit needs.

July 7, 2006 - BBC

Cleveland Properties Could Face Eminent Domain

As a developer sets his sights on redeveloping some of Cleveland's Cuyahoga Riverfront, the state of Ohio is considering the use of eminent domain to secure the land and ensure the economic development it promises.

July 7, 2006 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

One Of The Last Company Towns In America Is For Sale

Residents of Scotia, CA, hope that their community can retain its unique after the sale.

July 7, 2006 - The New York Times

Small Town PA Luring New Residents From The Big City

All Things Considered's Ann Murray reports on Easton, Pennsylvania's revitalization strategy.

July 7, 2006 - National Public Radio

Honda Puts Greensburg, Indiana On The Map

Honda North America put the town of Greensburg, Indiana on the map last week when it decided to build its sixth auto assembly plant there, representing an investment of about $550 million.

July 5, 2006 - The Slatin Report

Brain Drain: Singapore Drawing Researchers From U.S.

Lured by billions of dollars in government investment, brand new research equipment and facilities, and the opportunity to conduct research unfettered by social politics, biotech researchers are increasingly setting up shop in Singapore.

July 5, 2006 - Austin American-Statesman

Do Community Benefits Agreements Corrupt The Planning Process?

Critics in New York City cite that community groups and city officials are often swayed to approve projects by unrelated freebies provided by the developer.

July 5, 2006 - The New York Times

Death Of An Urban Farm

When authorities closed down the South Central garden in Los Angeles, the community lost more than an urban farm writes columnist Al Martinez.

July 4, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Thousands Are Displaced As Indian Slum Is Bulldozed

The Indian government has demolished a housing slum in Mumbai, displacing thousands. Though the government has promised replacement homes for many of the slum's documented citizens, thousands without documentation are now also without homes.

July 4, 2006 - BBC

World Cup 2006 Extravaganza

July 3, 2006 - Michael Jelks

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.

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.