According to an announcement by Virginia Tech yesterday, their plans to build a $1 billion innovation campus in nearby Alexandria helped win the HQ2 prize for Northern Virginia.
"Amazon listed Virginia Tech’s $1 billion investment to build an 'innovation campus' in Alexandria as a major factor in its decision to bring half of its second headquarters to Northern Virginia," reports Zeke Hartner.
"According to the university, the new million-square-foot campus is designed to draw in graduate and undergraduate students for computer science, computer engineering, software engineering and related studies — exactly the kinds of talent pools that Amazon has been looking for to staff its new headquarters," adds Hartner.
The new campus will be built in a part of Alexandria known as Oakville Triangle, which is just a few miles away from the planned Crystal City location (now called National Landing) of Amazon's HQ2.
FULL STORY: Virginia Tech’s ‘Innovation Campus’ played a key role in Amazon’s HQ2 decision — so what is it?
New Amazon HQ2 Renderings Revealed
New details of the second phase of Amazon HQ2 in Northern Virginia were released last week ahead of a planning committee hearing.
New Amazon HQ2 Renderings Reveal a Futuristic Look for Northern Virginia
Renderings for the second phase of Amazon's second headquarters in Northern Virginia grabbed a lot of attention today.
5 D.C.-Area Infrastructure Projects Jumpstarted by Amazon
Amazon's decision to locate half of its HQ2 location in Northern Virginia kicks the state into gear on transportation projects. More funding could potentially be on the way.
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?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie