Community / Economic Development

Yellow Flood Area road sign in Piney Point, Maryland.

Future Floods in Focus: Using AI and Physics to Visualize Disaster Risks

MIT researchers have developed a groundbreaking AI-powered tool that integrates physics-based models to generate realistic satellite images of future flooding, offering communities a powerful way to visualize and prepare for disasters.

December 2, 2024 - MIT News

CLeveland, Ohio downtown skyline seen from grassy field.

Ohio Invests $58 Million to Revitalize Brownfields and Boost Local Economies

This investment in brownfield remediation will clean up hazardous sites, foster economic development, and create jobs through 61 new projects across 33 counties.

December 2, 2024 - Office of Governor Mike DeWine

Row of concrete two-story homes with blue tile roofs under construction.

Opinion: “New Towns” Are the Answer to Affordable Housing Challenges

How thoughtful design can create more walkable, livable communities.

November 28, 2024 - Justin Hollander

"Restoration in progress" sign in the wetlands in Alviso Marsh, Don Edwards wildlife refuge, south San Francisco Bay, California.

Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Climate Action

These solutions offer cost-effective, sustainable methods to combat climate change, but require government action to reallocate subsidies, integrate natural assets into financial systems, and develop biodiversity credit markets.

November 27, 2024 - The Conversation

Gas Works Park with old, rusty coal gasification equipment in Seattle, Washington.

Revitalizing Cities Through Soil Health, Green Spaces, and Nature-Based Remediation

Investing in soil health, urban parks, and nature-based solutions for brownfield remediation is essential for creating resilient cities, restoring ecosystems, and improving community well-being.

November 26, 2024 - Center for Creative Land Recycling

Bird's eye schematic of Puente Hills Landfill Park redevelopment project.

Trash to Treasure: New Park Set to Redefine Open Space in the San Gabriel Valley

Puente Hills Landfill Park, opening in 2027, will transform a former landfill into a regional park with trails, scenic vistas, and various amenities, addressing environmental justice and providing much-needed green space for the San Gabriel Valley.

November 25, 2024 - Streetsblog LA

The Light of Many Suns mural at Jackie Robinson Park in Sun Village, Los Angeles County, California.

Honoring Heritage: Stunning Mosaic Unveiled in Sun Village

The new artwork celebrates African American heritage, resilience, and the efforts of The Civic Women’s Club in shaping the high desert community in the Antelope Valley.

November 25, 2024 - The Los Angeles Post

View looking up through large tree with blue sunny sky in background.

Improving South Los Angeles Through Strategic Tree Planting

The University of Southern California Urban Trees Initiative is planting 250 trees in South L.A. neighborhoods to improve shade, combat climate change, and enhance community well-being through collaboration and data-driven approaches.

November 25, 2024 - USC Today

Hawk perched on tree in city park.

Explore Urban Biodiversity: Join the 2025 City Nature Challenge

The City Nature Challenge invites people worldwide to document urban biodiversity by photographing and sharing wild plants and animals through the iNaturalist app, helping scientists track and understand real-time changes in ecosystems.

November 24, 2024 - Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Low close-up of busy city crosswalk in Vienna, Austria.

Planning for True Transportation Affordability: Beyond Common Misconceptions

Transportation affordability is important but often misunderstood, resulting in misguided solutions. New research helps identify ways to provide true affordability for economic freedom, opportunity and happiness.

November 21, 2024 - Todd Litman

Worker in bicycle factory holding black and orange bike frame.

New Tariffs Could Stifle the US Bike Industry

Higher tariffs on components built in China will make the cost of U.S. bike production much higher, likely slowing the growth of the industry.

November 19, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Playground and picnic benches in city park in San Francisco Bay Area.

Ensuring the Long-Term Care of Parks for Equity and Sustainability

Securing the care and maintenance of parks in the long-term requires sustained funding, equitable resource allocation, and political leadership and will.

November 17, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

View of traffic on San Diego freeway.

Opinion: Why Linking Driving to GDP Misses the Point

The argument that car-centric development is good because it boosts national GDP ignores the massive costs of driving to everyday Americans.

November 13, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

Large roof with solar panels and Los Angeles hills in background.

How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability

A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.

November 13, 2024 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Close-up of red DriveThru sign at McDonald's fast food restaurant in Chicago, Illinois.

Dallas Extends Permit for Downtown Drive-Thru

The city has indicated this is the last time it will extend a permit for a drive-thru at a McDonald’s restaurant as it transitions to supporting a denser, more walkable downtown environment.

November 13, 2024 - The Dallas Express

Downtown Denver as seen from behind Union Station roof sign.

Denver Voters Approve Downtown Revitalization Bonds

The city wants to bring new projects and residents to the downtown core, where 13 million feet of vacant office and retail space await new tenants.

November 11, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Two rusty, abandoned oil pumps in rural Texas.

Addressing Orphan Wells for Environmental Justice

Remediating and repurposing some orphan oil and gas wells into parks can turn environmental hazards into community assets, promoting health, environmental justice, and accessible green space for underserved areas.

November 10, 2024 - Progressive City

Parked cars in floodwater with two-story apartments or homes in background in Florida after hurricane.

Auto Insurance Rates Spike Due to Extreme Weather

Car insurance costs around the country are going up as insurers receive more claims from areas struck by storms and other climate disasters.

November 7, 2024 - Grist

Small mountain lake with snow-capped mountains in background in Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

California Approves $10 Billion Bond for Water, Clean Energy, and Environmental Projects

Funds will be used to support water, wildfire prevention, environmental, and park projects, reflecting strong public support for climate resilience.

November 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Colorful paper banners strung across street in historic tourist neighborhood in San Antonio, Texas.

Placemaking in the Barrio: Conceptualizing Infill Development in Disenfranchised Communities

How one San Antonio neighborhood could approach sustainable revitalization while supporting the existing community and drawing on its rich and diverse history and cultural resources.

November 5, 2024 - Matthew Reyes

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.

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.