Community / Economic Development

COVID Vaccines Are Already Changing Cities
Here are just a few ways urban environments are transforming and reinventing themselves in the wake of the coronavirus.

Car-Free Streets Benefit Restaurants, Yelp Survey Shows
Restaurants in areas designated as "slow streets" during the pandemic saw a boost in consumer interest.

A Microfarm Grows in an L.A. Front Yard
The founder of Asante Microfarm hopes his farm will serve as a model for bringing fresh produce to underserved communities.

Approaching Land Use and Transportation as Interconnected Issues
One researcher argues that the division between transportation and land use policymaking at the federal level has harmed communities of color and encouraged unchecked sprawl.

Zoning Incentives for Supermarkets: New York Expands its FRESH Program
The FRESH program, previously offering zoning incentives for grocery store development in 19 districts around New York City, will expand to 11 new locations.

Opinion: Freeze Property Taxes in Gentrifying Neighborhoods
A proposed bill in the Texas legislature would help prevent displacement of homeowners in areas experiencing reinvestment and redevelopment.

Report Breaks Down Pandemic Rent Burdens by State and Metro Area
The share of U.S. households facing rent debt is decreasing as the economy begins to recover from the pandemic, but rent debt is still concentrated by geography and demographics around the country.

L.A. Could Consider Parks for Sanctioned Camping Locations for People Experiencing Homelessness
L.A. residents are demanding solutions for the city's growing number of people experiencing homelessness, but they don't tend to like those solutions when they include allowing people experiencing homelessness to stay in the neighborhood.

Teen-Led BART Campaign Brings Attention to Sexual Harassment on Transit
The Not One More Girl initiative seeks to implement tangible changes to improve the safety of young people on public transit.

New Book Examines Public Housing as a Locus of Political Power
A new book, "Diverging Space for Deviants," connects public housing with political power.

The Numerous Obstacles—Past and Present—Facing Black Homeowners
Black Americans pay a higher price to be homeowners—and the number of those who can afford to pay that price is dropping quickly.

Tucson's Pledge to Plant 1 Million Trees
Details and background of Tucson's pledge to plant one million trees by 2030.

As Home Prices Rise, So Does the Number of Renters
The intense competition in today's housing market means more people might have to settle for rental housing.

Caltrans Chief Wants an 'Absolute Pause' on 710 Freeway Expansion
Communities along the corridor have fought expansion for decades, citing air quality and displacement concerns. Now, the agency says it's time to rethink the project.

Atlanta BeltLine Buying More Land for Affordable Housing
The agency has acquired 65 acres of properties reserved for affordable housing and job creation.

Big Tech Flirts With Community Development
Facing calls to invest in racial equity, companies like Netflix, Twitter, and others have recently pledged millions in new financing for affordable housing, small businesses, and other community development projects. Will they stick around?

Recovery Fund Aims to Save Live Music Venues
A new real estate investment fund wants to help music venue owners buy their properties and stay in business as the pandemic and market forces decimate their earnings.

Study: New Markets Tax Credit 'Does What it Promises, Most of the Time'
The program, which gives tax credits to investors, has resulted in added jobs, increased incomes, and low rates of displacement.

Dollar Stores Close to Half of New Store Openings in 2021
Expanding wealth inequality has contributed to the explosive growth of "dollar store" retailers.

How Planners Can Help the Dallas Food Scene Flourish
Dallas is amidst a process for electing a new City Council, and one local writer sees the transition as an opportunity to present an ambitious agenda for also overhauling the city's local dining scene.
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Planning for Universal Design
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New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions