Population trends are often used as a shorthand for a city's economic prowess, but Pete Saunders argues they may be a lagging indicator.

Rust Belt cities like Detroit and Cleveland have lost much of their economic prowess since their peak in the mid-20th century, and the population loss shows that, but in recent years GDP growth per capita tells a different story. While they don't top the list of fast-growing economies, Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago rank 8th, 12th, and 20th respectively. Lower on the list in the 30s and 40s you'll find Sun Belt cities like Nashville, Houston, and Orlando.
The Sun Belt has long been booming population-wise, "…but there's growing evidence that population change, up or down, is a lagging indicator -- the moves people make don't always coincide with the current economic path of their chosen destination," writes Pete Saunders in Forbes.
Still the news isn't all good for Rust Belt cities. Cities like Chicago are losing some of their most prosperous citizens, even as the population stays relatively flat. "Even when they're gaining residents in other cohorts, the loss of households with workers nearing their peak in earnings (40-49 year-olds) and their children (10-19 year-olds) virtually bakes population loss into the mix," Saunders reports.
FULL STORY: The Sun Belt's Demographic Delight Is The Rust Belt's Demographic Dilemma -- For Now

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie