Community / Economic Development

Is Swedish Town Too Good To Be True?

The city of Bo01 has served as a model for urban designers all over the world -- but is it really liveable?

September 1, 2005 - The Guardian Unlimited

Chicago's Central Area Plan for 2020

A look at some of Chicago's plans for building the future.

August 31, 2005 - Chicago Sun-Times

Crossing Muddy Waters: Preserving A Historic Neighborhood

The impact of segregation endures in a Mississippi coast town, where an African-American community is working to protect its environment, housing and history.

August 31, 2005 - Shelterforce Online

The Growth Of Housing In Industrial Districts

As real estate prices skyrocket, housing is appearing in fading industrial enclaves across the country. The two uses are not always the best fit.

August 30, 2005 - Los Angeles Downtown News

Bases Spared In S. Dakota, New Mexico

In a slap to the Pentagon, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission refuses to close a variety of bases.

August 28, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

Profile And History Of L.A.'s Skid Row

The Los Angeles Times takes a gritty look at a 50-block area of "grime, despair, struggle and hope known as skid row."

August 26, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

Houston Faces The Challenge Of Sprawl

One editor's solutions for Houston's unique challenges in embracing its population boom.

August 24, 2005 - The Houston Chronicle

Do Town Centers Really Work?

Some critics say that 'mixed-use' districts aren't promoting enough diversity.

August 24, 2005 - The Washington Post

Base Training At The Presidio

As the BRAC commission weighs the fate of bases across the nation, The Slatin Report looks at one outcome that will be tough to repeat. [Includes photos.]

August 22, 2005 - The Slatin Report

Public Spending For Public Benefit

A report explains how public agencies can use their purchasing power to promote local economic development.

August 22, 2005 - New Economics Foundation (UK)

The Rising Costs Of Port Security

Ports in New York and New Jersey are doing record business, but the cost of extra security measures is canceling the profits.

August 19, 2005 - The New York Times

Is Portland Too Perfect?

A travel writer explains what makes Portland so liveable.

August 18, 2005 - MSNBC

The Return Of The 'Mainstream American City'

With mid-sized cities like Charlotte gaining population, developers are looking at the alternatives to suburban living.

August 18, 2005 - The Charlotte Observer

Will Big Box Stores Succeed In Portland?

Metro, Portland's regional government, is considering strategies to keep megastores from revived urban centers.

August 17, 2005 - The Oregonian

Brand Your City

Smart City interviews Chicago's branding expert, Paul O'Connor, about how to brand a city.

August 16, 2005 - Smart City

California's Ocean Economy

A new report highlights the importance of the ocean and coast to California's economy.

August 16, 2005 - National Ocean Economics Program

Why High Oil Prices Will Affect Non-Drivers

High oil prices will have an effect on public transit, the cost of manufacturing and the price consumers pay for a host of products.

August 14, 2005 - BBC News

Perth Ideally Poised To Become Australia's Next Big City

An in-depth look at Australia's second fastest-growing city.

August 13, 2005 - The Sydney Morning Herald

Economic Development From A Regional Perspective

Richard Hollingsworth, director of a economic development organization, discusses the value of regional planning.

August 10, 2005 - The Metro Investment Report

Rebuilding Neighborhoods From The Ground Up

Pennsylvania's new BluePrint Communities program gives community groups the resources to manage redevelopment.

August 10, 2005 - 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.