Community / Economic Development

Is it a COVID Car or Mask-Optional Car? Rail Commuters Decide

A midwestern commuter rail line found a unique, if controversial way to achieve 100 percent mask compliance on its trains: Set aside one car, though preferably not the bike car, for riders who opt to travel maskless.

September 28, 2020 - Streetsblog Chicago

The Oval+

Covid-19 Outdoor Dining Rules Could Last Through 2021 in Philadelphia

Emergency outdoor dining regulations approved in June and set to expired in December could now be extended through the coming year.

September 28, 2020 - WHYY

Boston, Massachusetts

Mega-Project Aims to Transform South Boston

Developers with a ground lease for land owned by the University of Massachusetts Boston want to build a new mixed-use development to rival Kendall Square in nearby Cambridge.

September 25, 2020 - The Boston Globe

irishtown bend

Legacy Cities, Post-Pandemic

The question of how the pandemic and all of its corresponding crises will alter the future of cities and planning has persisted since March. This article rightfully focuses those large, challenging questions of the Legacy Cities of the United States.

September 24, 2020 - Economic Innovation Group

Strip Mall

How Typical Economic Development Kills Community Character

An economic development pro makes an argument for an approach to economic development that prioritizes the urban design decisions that favor community character.

September 23, 2020 - Proud Places

A New Model for Community-Led Neighborhood Revitalization

A case study in community-led neighborhood revitalization.

September 23, 2020 - Brookings

California Homeless

Permanent Supportive Housing Works for the Chronically Homeless, Study Says

A groundbreaking study provides some of the strongest evidence yet of the powerful results of permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless.

September 21, 2020 - The Mercury News

Disneyland, Main Street

What Will Disneyland Be Like When it Reopens?

According to a study, Disneyland could comfortably accommodate 50% of the 110-acre theme park’s pre-COVID-19 attendance capacity.

September 20, 2020 - The Orange County Register

Los Angeles River Kayak

Keeping Gentrification From Following Green Space

Los Angeles organizers work with park professionals on policies to allow green space investment in neighborhoods that have lacked it without paving the way for displacement.

September 18, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Akron, Ohio

New Legacy Cities Initiative Announced

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is launching the Legacy Cities Initiative to provide a network of support for cities of the country's industrial past.

September 18, 2020 - Lincoln Institue of Land Policy

Coronavirus Social Distancing

Crossing the Digital Divide During COVID

Organizations blend past and present strategies to stay in touch with community members.

September 17, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump

Trump Neglects Cities to the Peril of the Economy, Experts Say

President Trump is infamous for politicizing civil unrest in cities, but his leadership's animus to urban areas is found in policy as well, despite the importance of large cities to the nation's economy.

September 16, 2020 - The Washington Post

Coronavirus and Urbanism

Tourism-Based Urban Economies Will Have to Innovate to Survive the Pandemic

It is time to make bold, disruptive changes to Barcelona's economy, according to this article, by fueling innovation, sustainability, and policies to improve residents' quality of life.

September 15, 2020 - Cities of the Future

New York Police Department

Which Cities Are Becoming More Violent?

Some cities have become significantly more violent since the George Floyd protests began—but not all. Why have some cities been more successful than others?

September 14, 2020 - Michael Lewyn

Iowa City

Coronavirus College Clusters Stress Town and Gown Relationship

College towns that have been observing public health guidelines and seen relatively few COVID-19 cases are now seeing infections spike as young people return to take classes. The New York Times has been tracking cases in colleges and college towns.

September 14, 2020 - The New York Times

Seattle light rail

Sound Transit Centers Transit-Dependent Communities in 2021 Service Changes

With the Northgate link light rail expansion project nearing completion and the effects of the pandemic lingering, Sound Transit will change its bus routes in 2021. The transit authority focuses on equity in plotting the route changes.

September 14, 2020 - The Urbanist

New York City Subway

Formerly Redlined Neighborhoods Have Higher COVID-19 Prevalence, Study Says

Add COVID-19 to the list of long-term consequences of the racist and discriminatory regulatory and lending practices of the 20th century.

September 14, 2020 - Next City

Kids

6 Ways to Ensure Equitable Cities for Children

A city that fosters the mental and physical health of children is safer for everyone. Six key planning and design considerations promote the well-being of the city's youngest residents.

September 14, 2020 - TheCityFix

Public Meeting

It's Time to Move On From Community Consensus

Public meetings often disprove the notion that communities have a unified stance on any issue. With this in mind, we must move past trying to find consensus and focus on uplifting the most marginalized voices.

September 14, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

The Calls on the River Aire

The Most Compassionate City in the U.K.

Leeds is the third biggest city in the U.K., located in the north of England. While it may not necessarily appear on tourists’ top bucket list destinations, the Leeds City Council is determined to make it the best city in the U.K.

September 14, 2020 - Cities of the Future

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.