Community / Economic Development

Richard Florida Maps New Megalopolis(es)

Calling an entire country a major economic force just isn't accurate. At least, that's what Richard Florida contends. His article discusses the regional, not national, nature of areas that are making global impacts.

July 1, 2006 - Newsweek via MSNBC

City's Plan For Downtown Falls Short

Residents and officials of one Central Florida community are left wondering where plans for a "viable" downtown went wrong.

June 30, 2006 - The Orlando Sentinel

Preserving The 'Real' Pittsburgh

Grace Dobush urges the city of Pittsburgh to preserve its old-world charm.

June 29, 2006 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

City Chooses Economic Development Over Environment

Planning commissioners in the City of Tracy cite a CEQA provision as they choose the environmentally un-friendly alternative -- a sprawling subdivision of 500 new homes.

June 29, 2006 - Tracy Press

Californians To Vote On Property Rights Initiative In November

"Kelo" comes to California on Nov. 7 when voters will consider the "Protect Our Homes" initiative. Having qualified for the ballot, the initiative may sharply restrict local government's ability to regulate land use, similar to Oregon's Measure 37.

June 29, 2006 - San Francisco Chronicle

Eminent Domain Backlashes 'Aren't Strong Enough'

"Community rights" do not exist, and since legislators and much of the public have "gone squishy" over individual property rights, more action is needed to restrict eminent domain powers, according to this op-ed.

June 29, 2006 - Reason Foundation

Why Community Gardens Matter

Are community gardens the antidote to America's health and urban problems?

June 28, 2006 - Times Online

Urbanizing Suburbia In Wisconsin

Mixed use developments are moving into the suburbs of Milwaukee as developers see the demand for combined uses spreading out from the city's core.

June 28, 2006 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Dubai Spends Billions To Become Major Global Metropolis

Petro-dollars are fueling the tiny emirate's ambitions to become one of the world's top commercial and tourist destinations. Experts wonder if Dubai's blazing growth is sustainable.

June 28, 2006 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Stockton Leaves Its Crime-Ridden Past Behind

Once rife with crime, Stockton is taking baby steps towards reducing the crime rate and attracting development to one of the Central Valley's burgeoning population centers.

June 27, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

UK Planning Bureaucracy Discourages Economic Development

England's planning policies may be reformed based on national versus local interests and needs, as the country attempts to secure deals with major international corporations.

June 27, 2006 - The Guardian

The Resurgence Of Maine's Grittiest City

The twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn have long been known as Maine's worst urban area. Today, it is using art, history, diversity, and culture to carve out its niche as one of the state's funkiest and most historical urban areas.

June 26, 2006 - The Boston Globe

Kentucky Developers Hatch Plan Against Sprawl

Kentucky, a state slow to adapt the concepts of New Urbanism, eyes several developments that are walkable and pedestrian friendly.

June 26, 2006 - The Courier-Journal

NJ Transit Villages Begin To Appear

Though not fully completed TODs, small pockets of development around transit have emerged with more to follow.

June 25, 2006 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

From Brooklyn: Open Letter to Frank Gehry

A novelist takes on Gehry's gargantuan Atlantic Yards project, proposed for Brooklyn.

June 22, 2006 - Slate

Sharply Rising Rents In NYC Increase Burden For Most Households

Since 2002, the combination of falling incomes and rising rents has significantly increased the burden housing costs impose upon New York City's households, especially those earning less than 80% of the median income.

June 21, 2006 - The New York Times

All Aboard the Atlantic City Casino Express

Long considered second rate versions of Las Vegas, Atlantic City casinos are looking to cash in on the high rollers from New York City by developing a direct train link to the Big Apple.

June 20, 2006 - Associated Press

Comparing A Manhattan Landmark With L.A.'s Grand Avenue Project

The Frank Gehry-designed Grand Avenue project in downtown Los Angeles looks to a well-known Manhattan urban landmark for inspiration. Will it work?

June 19, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

The Next Ten U.S. Cities To Become Tech Hubs

With the cost of living so high, Silicon Valley, CA has become a victim of its own success. eWeek weighs in on the debate over which cities have the right ingredients to become the next tech hubs.

June 19, 2006 - eWeek

Penn Plans River Revitalization

The university is gearing up to develop a 40-acre plot of land next to the Schuylkill River with green space, housing, retail, and office spaces, with the aim of creating a lively city core, uniting Center City and West Philadelphia.

June 19, 2006 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

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.