Community / Economic Development

Planning For An Overnight Boomtown

Thousands of New Orleans businesses and residents have relocated to the 'New Baton Rouge', 75 miles to the northwest.

September 13, 2005 - USA Today

What FEMA Might Learn From Wal-Mart?

Some nimble private companies -- like Wal-Mart and The Sun Herald -- have contingency plans in place for a hurricane.

September 12, 2005 - The Miami Herald

A Sad Truth -- New Orleans Cannot Survive Forever

Despite the rhetoric about rebuilding, there are far too many economic, social and land use forces at work that will prevent New Orleans from returning to its former glory, writes Joel Garreau.

September 12, 2005 - The Washington Post

Planning for a Disaster-Resistant Community

APA publishes a workbook from the Planning for a Disaster-Resistant Community AICP Workshop at the 2005 APA National Planning Conference.

September 11, 2005 - American Planning Association

Orlando Recruits New Orleans Business HQ

After Hurricane Betsy in 1965, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse endeared itself to New Orleanians by feeding rescue workers a warehouse full of its prime beef. After Hurricane Katrina, the newly public company decamped for Orlando.

September 11, 2005 - The New York Times

$25M To Keep A Company In St. Louis

Despite incentives by other counties and states, Express Scripts, one of the largest pharmacy benefits managers in the nation, is accepting a deal to stay in St. Louis.

September 10, 2005 - St. Louis Today

Mexico's 'Shangri-La' Is A Secret No More

Locals are worried that the town of Álamos, long known to only a few, will lose its native charm to the surging American population.

September 9, 2005 - The Arizona Republic

Can New Orleans Heal Its Old Problems By Rebuilding?

Can New Orleans rebuild its gritty charm without recreating 'hyperconcentrations of poverty'? Many fear the New Orleans will become a sanitized version of its past.

September 9, 2005 - The Wall Street Journal

Baton Rouge's Explosive Real Estate Market

Baton Rouge, LA is experiencing an explosive real estate boom as the the city of 400,000 takes in an estimated 100,000 from the parishes of southern Louisiana. 250 homes are sold in one day.

September 9, 2005 - The Wall Street Journal

Can New Orleans Regain Lost Charm?

Rebuilding New Orleans will involve a lot more than construction.

September 8, 2005 - USA Today

Back To The Basics: Creating A Downtown In Coral Springs

After 40 years of no growth, downtown Coral Springs new downtown is starting to take shape.

September 8, 2005 - South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Growing Popularity Of 'Farm Vacations'

City slickers go on farm vacations to get respite from modern life.

September 8, 2005 - The Boston Globe

Reviving Bollywood's Home

With an extended population of 17 million, Mumbai is one of the world's most populous metro areas. An economist offers a solution for reviving the commercial capital of India.

September 8, 2005 - Rediff News

Gentrification and Resistance in New York City

Three recent studies imply that gentrification does not cause displacement. Not so, argues an article in Shelterforce Magazine and outlines what it takes to help people stay when the community improves.

September 7, 2005 - Shelterforce Magazine

Hurricane Exposes Lousiana's Dirty Secret

The aftermath of Hurrican Katrina exposes a festering secret Louisiana has hidden well -- its failure to help its neediest citizens.

September 5, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

Tax Policy Hinders Urban Sustainability

Can city taxes be used to encourage sustainability?

September 5, 2005 - Now Magazine

Britain's Female-friendly Streets

The three year project, funded by the Women’s Design Service, will offer urban design ideas to make streets safer for women.

September 3, 2005 - The Times

LA's New Downtown Entertainment District

The development of the LA Live entertainment district in downtown Los Angeles seems certain with approval of $400+ million hotel.

September 3, 2005 - Downtown News

Multi-Millionaire Aims For Controversial Village Green, Town Center

Roxanne Quimby, who recently sold her Burt's Bees empire for $175 Million, has a vision for a world-class village green in one of Maine's most picturesque harbors.

September 1, 2005 - Portland Press Herald

Live In The City, Work In The Suburbs?

The downtown living trend can only work as long as the jobs remain in the city.

September 1, 2005 - The Toronto Star

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.