Community / Economic Development
The “Hundred Mile” Yard Sales That Turn Rural Highways into Treasure Trails
From Kentucky to Florida to Washington State, a delightful culture of impossibly long yard sales helps communities thrive.
August Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
In suburban Houston, cities are scrambling to expand water infrastructure to serve new communities. But can sprawl be part of a workable solution to the housing crisis?
Walking Paths as Everyday Infrastructure
Walking paths are simple yet transformative features in parks that promote health, equity, and community connection, proving that small investments can deliver lasting benefits.
LA’s ‘Living Shorelines’ Get $5.1M Boost
L.A. County is investing in dune restoration and nature-based shoreline projects at Zuma, Redondo, and Dockweiler beaches to protect the coast and keep beaches accessible for communities.
Maui Wildfire Recovery, Two Years On
Two years after the Lahaina and Kula wildfires, hundreds of homes are under construction and community resilience is strong, though many survivors remain displaced and long to return home.
When Lewis Mumford Came to Santa Fe
Urbanist Lewis Mumford visited Santa Fe in 1962–63, and four conversational essays followed. Mumford’s observations are still relevant today.
‘Grätzloasen’: The Urban Oases Vienna Pays its Citizens to Build
The Austrian capital offers grants of up to 5,000 Euros to residents who want to build their own parklets in curbside parking spaces.
Akron's Multimillion Dollar Bet on Parks
The Ohio city invested $17 million to revitalize a downtown park. It seems to be working.
San Francisco is in a “Doom Loop.” A Legendary Artist and Burning Man Founder Knows how to Revive it.
Artists made San Francisco what it was. They might just be the key to its future.
Sunday Smile: Helsinki Opens Sightseeing Route for Dogs
The Finnish capital is one of the world's most dog-friendly cities, with over 90 dedicated dog parks.
NYC's Plan to add 9500+ Housing Units to Midtown
The city council approved a rezoning plan that will allow high-density mixed-use development in a formerly manufacturing-only district.
Dear Cities: Let’s Make FIFA Count
The first-ever pan-North American World Cup offers urban planners a unique opportunity: to undo the legacy of failed promises and show that mega events can actually benefit the cities they visit.
Green Schoolyards Gain Momentum Across Southern California
Fueled by new funding and community partnerships, these projects are replacing heat-trapping asphalt with trees and vegetation to create cooler, healthier school environments.
NYC Unveils First Comprehensive Greenway Plan in 30 Years
New York City’s Greater Greenways plan charts an ambitious, equity-focused expansion of its 500-plus-mile greenway network, aiming to connect more neighborhoods to parks, waterfronts, and safe, sustainable transportation options.
The Matchmakers Bringing Churches and Developers Together
Several groups are serving as mediators for faith-based development, helping congregations access funding, navigate long-term development processes, and avoid developer exploitation.
Monterey Park’s Blueprint for Equitable Parks
Monterey Park’s first-ever Parks System Master Plan offers a community-driven roadmap for creating more equitable, accessible, and vibrant public spaces.
Transforming Brownfields into a Regional Destination: The Rise of Origin Park
River Heritage Conservancy is transforming more than 400 acres of former junkyards, brownfields, and landfills in Southern Indiana into Origin Park, a nature and recreation destination that will honor the site’s history.
Building a Just Energy Transition
A new book outlines a “four-plus pillars” framework for phasing out fossil fuels while addressing systemic inequities, emphasizing public support, dedicated funding, economic diversification, coalitions, and reforms that dismantle extractive systems.
Mapping Georgia’s Urban Forests
Georgia Tech’s latest urban canopy assessment for Atlanta uses high-resolution mapping and a Potential Planting Index to guide data-driven tree preservation.
LA County Adopts Maximum Indoor Temperature Ordinance to Protect Renters from Extreme Heat
LA County has adopted an ordinance capping indoor temperatures in rental units at 82 degrees Fahrenheit in unincorporated areas, aiming to protect renters from extreme heat while providing phased compliance and support for small landlords.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
