Community / Economic Development

Is Ecotourism Really Economic Development?

An editorial on the Environmental News Network charges that ecotourism is a myth.

September 12, 2001 - Environmental News Network

The Dreams And Reality Of Telecom City

Towns work together to develop a technology village, but the worsening economy has other ideas.

September 10, 2001 - The Boston Globe

Familiar Gives Way To Franchise

Rising rents close down a locally-owned coffee shop in Delray Beach, FL. It will be replaced by a Starbucks.

September 8, 2001 - Sun-Sentinel

Brooklyn Emerges From Manhattan's Shadow

Brooklyn, NY, is experiencing a "rennaisance." Some residents are concerned about gentrification.

September 7, 2001 - The Christian Science Monitor

Businesses Join Forces To Clean Up Commercial District

Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood business area reinvents itself as local businesses join forces.

September 6, 2001 - Star Tribune

Atlanta's CNN Center To Attract Tourists To Downtown

New restaurants at Atlanta's CNN Center will draw tourists to the the downtown.

September 5, 2001 - Atlanta Business Chronicle

Europe's Urban Divide Looks To America

In the past, Europe was the model for the urban future. Today, European cities need to look to America for new models.

September 5, 2001 - The Los Angeles Times

Philadelphia's Dueling Blight Plans

Reaction to the Daily News alternative blight plan has been heated, especially from City Hall.

September 4, 2001 - The Philadelphia Daily News

Empowerment Zone Applications Due

Communities that receive RC or EZ designation will be able to use a revitalizing business tax incentive package valued at $22 billion nationwide.

September 2, 2001 - HUD News

Brownfield Site To Become Transit-Oriented Development

Vote nears on proposals to turn Somerville, MA, "wasteland" into "urban village."

August 30, 2001 - The Boston Globe

Building Trades Unions Creating Unlevel Playing Field

Philadelphia construction unions enforce their wage agreements in the city, while competing at non-union-scale wages in the suburbs.

August 28, 2001 - The Philadelphia Daily News

To Revive A Downtown, Make It A Collegetown

Cities are learning to tap the economic power of students to revive downtown areas.

August 28, 2001 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

San Francisco: After The Boom

San Francisco's Multimedia Gulch has run dry.

August 27, 2001 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Building Housing To Support Retail Development

A Philadelphia developer invests in new housing help create a market for his shopping development.

August 23, 2001 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Report: Most Child-Friendly U.S. Cities

"Kid-Friendly Cities Report Card 2001" looks at U.S. cities and grades them based on urban children's quality of life. Report includes graphs, editorials from notable writers, and report cards for many cities.

August 23, 2001 - Kid Friendly Cities

Is Your City Kid-Friendly?

Environmental group Zero Population Growth has published a list of U.S. cities rated in terms of quality of life for children.

August 22, 2001 - Reuters

Weymouth To Develop 'Village' Instead Of Mega-Mall

A former Naval Air Station will be redeveloped as a "village" instead of a regional mega-mall in Weymouth, MA.

August 22, 2001 - The Boston Globe

Agritourism Vs. Sprawl

Agritourism might be the next big thing -- an economic alternative to sprawl.

August 21, 2001 - Sun Spot

Citizens Take Charge In Declining Neighborhoods

Residents of declining neighborhoods in Greenvill, SC, are creating their master plan at a charrette.

August 20, 2001 - The Greenville News

How Golf Can Revive A Blighted Neighborhood

Tom Cousins is building what "experts say is one of the most impressive mixed-income communities in America" around a golf course. Will it work in other cities?

August 20, 2001 - Fortune

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.