Community / Economic Development
Brownfields to Art Parks
When is a brownfield not a brownfield? When it's transformed by art works, as in two U.S. cities.
Future Silicon Valleys Need More Than 'Rich People And Nerds'
Joel Kotkin takes issue with Paul Graham's recent commentary on "How To Be Silicon Valley", asserting that his logic is elitist and much of his evidence incorrect, in this three-part Inc.com blog entry.
L.A. Stakeholders Perform 'Walk Audit' Downtown
L.A.'s downtown Business Improvement District calls on local business people, property owners, and residents to get stepping in L.A.'s Fashion District, to evaluate the area's walkability. The BID has $1.6 million to make improvements by 2008.
Reframing New Jersey's Competitive Challenge
New research by the Brookings Institution ties New Jersey's troubling economic position to multiple forces, including rising housing costs, persistent race, class and place disparities, and unbalanced development patterns.
Faux Suburban Downtowns Challenge Traditional City Centers
The popularity of mixed-use suburban town centers is threatening the viability of older, traditional downtowns. While many tout their urban-style amenities, the suburban centers often lack transit and -- sometimes -- even sidewalks.
Friday Funny: The Committee To Save Big Ugly Things
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has produced a spoof political ad to mock the preservation of the city's controversial Alaskan Way Viaduct, although he may run into ethics violations for using a City Hall production crew.
Chicago Considers Living Wage For Big Box Stores
Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and other big box stores could pay Chicago employees a "living wage" as early as next month.
Texas Campaign Will Market Towns To Retirees
A major marketing effort hopes to attract retirees to Texas, through the "certified retirement community" program.
Next Generation Business Parks
Turning sprawling office parks into compact transit villages may be solve both congestion and energy issues at once.
Hip, Downtown Living Revitalizing Fading Small Towns
Even humble burgs like Mount Airy, N.C., inspiration for Mayberry on the "Andy Griffith Show," are experiencing the trend. A local tobacco warehouse there will be redeveloped into 43 market-rate apartments. Has technology made location irrelevant?
Is Keeping Wal-Mart Out of a Community 'Class Warfare'?
The controversial use of eminent domain to keep Wal-Mart out of Hercules, CA is criticized as a means of keeping lower-income shoppers away.
The Geographic Evolution of the U.S. Auto Industry
The U.S. automotive industry is one of the nation's oldest modern manufacturing sectors. Despite increasingly making its home in the south, 47% of the nation's motor vehicle employment still resides in three states: Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
Where The Gas Gouging Buck Stops
Local gas station owners are hurt as much or more than consumers by high gas prices, as they lose business when gas companies force them to raise their prices.
Detroit-Canada Bridge Could Link City To Profits
Although some community members oppose the laborious and expensive physical construction process, many realize that the economic development benefits will be important.
Courting Business With Websites And Zoning Overlays
Southern California cities are using technology and other innovative techniques to promote economic development and attract local companies.
How To Grow The Next Silicon Valley
Essayist and programmer Paul Graham writes about how cities can create great hi-tech communities that attract dynamic startups.
Hercules Vs. Wal-Mart: An Eminent Domain Battle
Hercules, CA, threatens to use eminent domain to keep out retail giant Wal-Mart.
How (Not) To Be Friendly To Small Businesses
Smaller cities across Southern California, like Santa Clarita, have discovered that being friendly to small businesses yields big rewards, especially when the mammoth City of Los Angeles is too big to care.
Walkable Urbanity Arrives In Atlanta
The success of Atlantic Station, a large scale mixed-use urban development, proves the need for a more pedestrian friendly environment in auto-dominated Atlanta.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
