Community / Economic Development
Pandemic Street to Outlast Pandemic in California (By 2.5 Months)
Gov. Newsom's unexpected announcement that the pandemic would end on June 15 led one city to consider reopening its al fresco street and parklets to motor vehicles. After hearing from the public, the city council sided with diners over drivers.
Texas Legislature Would Preempt Local Law to Ban Homeless Encampments
The state of Texas and the city of Austin are moving in opposite directions on how best to respond to the needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Vancouver Considers Easing Rezoning for Social Housing
The proposal would let non-profits build housing developments of up to six stories without a public rezoning process in mid-rise neighborhoods.
Judge Presses Pause on Controversial Skid Row Housing Order
A 60-day grace period and some additional contingencies have been added to a court order for the city and county of Los Angeles to provide shelter or housing to the thousands of people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles.
Housing Vouchers Prove an Effective Tool Against Homelessness
The Biden administration plans to expand the federal housing voucher program, which currently provides rental assistance to 2.3 million U.S. households.
Exxon Wants 'Financial Incentive' for $100 Billion Carbon Capture Hub
The company's proposed $100 billion carbon capture project would require a "large-scale" public-private partnership and could capture up to 100 million tons of carbon per year.
Houston Residents Want to Build Pocket Parks on City-Owned Lots
In a park-poor neighborhood, vacant lots provide an untapped opportunity for small-scale parks.
U.S. Cities Reexamine the Discriminatory Effects of Bike Helmet Laws
Data from cities across the country show that bike helmet laws are enforced more aggressively in communities of color.
New York Residents Support Affordable Housing, Survey Says
Contrary to the dominant narrative about the negative perceptions of affordable housing projects among the public, a recent survey reveals widespread support for affordable housing in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan region.
L.A. Mayor Proposes Guaranteed Income Program
The city could give 2,000 families $1,000 a month in what would be the largest program of its kind in the country.
Opinion: Zoning Reform Is a Social Justice Issue
Far from an obscure, wonky local issue, zoning reform has the potential to advance social justice in American cities.
D.C. Comprehensive Plan Update Needs Equity Improvements, Report Says
The new D.C. Office of Equity has produced an evaluation of proposed changes to the D.C. Comprehensive Plan.
Judge's Ruling Will Force L.A. to Reckon With Skid Row
A federal judge has ruled that the city and county of Los Angeles, home to the nation's largest population of people experiencing homelessness, must overcome the development delays that have prevented the creation of new supportive housing.
Pandemic to End in California on June 15, Governor Decides
Gov. Gavin Newsom has foreseen the end of the pandemic that has killed over 61,000 Californians and has taken a page from his Republican counterpart in the second most populous state by setting a date when all restrictions will be lifted.
Change Would Expand the Definition of Rural to Cover More of the Country
Details on a proposed change of definition for Metropolitan Statistical Areas that would greatly expand the area of the country deemed rural.
Federal Stimulus Offers a Chance for Local Reinvention
Cities around the country are making big plans for economic relief funding from the federal government.
Outdoor Dining a Victim of its Own Success in One Wealthy Bay Area City
The California city has received complaints about overcrowding even as the program sought to create more outdoor public space during the pandemic.
Opinion: Regional Growth Requires Regional Planning
To avoid the pitfalls of disconnected, car-centric suburbs, local governments must proactively plan for sustainable development in growing areas.
Foxconn, Wisconsin Strike a New Deal
A new chapter in the cautionary tale.
Light at the End of the Tunnel Reveals the Work to Come
The latest edition of an ongoing compendia of articles trying to make sense of the deep uncertainties of the pandemic—and what it all means for the future of cities.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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
