Amazon isn't the only tech giant building a second headquarters. Google's new offices could change the way companies interact with cities for the better, if they want to.

As cities compete for Amazon's second headquarters and San Jose works on a deal for Google's second headquarters, Richard Florida argues that companies have reasons to be good neighbors to cities and that a forward-thinking company could do a lot to correct the mistakes of past headquarters. "As the city and company negotiate an agreement, community groups have already begun advocating for an arrangement that benefits not just Google and its high-paid tech workers but also the city and its residents," Florida writes for CityLab.
To Florida, the new headquarters creates an opportunity for Google to get right everything that Apple got wrong with their sprawling building and its acres of surface parking. "Rather than being a campus, per se, Google should build a fine-grained, mixed-use neighborhood, with walkways between buildings and numerous public spaces," Florida argues.
The company could have an even greater impact if, rather than merely trying to get their offices right, they also concerned themselves with employee housing. "Building a large number of new housing units in conjunction with the office construction would not only prevent a major shock to the housing market, it would also improve the experience of the new neighborhood, be a boon to businesses downtown, and help boost transit usage," Florida writes. In Silicon Valley where housing is difficult to permit and always in demand such a move would go a long way to ingratiate the city to Google and to help house their work force.
FULL STORY: How Google Can Help San Jose Become a Model of Inclusive Urbanism

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions