In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

Wolfe distinguishes between those who envision a traditional return to the commute-based office-residence split, and others who insist that downtowns must rethink their purpose and redesign underused spaces to attract more people. He lists ten signs of ongoing processes that indicates a city’s ongoing recovery and regeneration.
He suggests that these guideposts, backed by real-world examples, might offer a roadmap to inspire resurgence:
- Innovative interventions by government, non-profits, and the private sector.
- Mixed-use spaces, both temporary and permanent.
- Encouraging of artistic expression.
- Community subsidies.
- Safety assurance.
- Embracing creativity and colors.
- Enhancing street sounds and scents.
- Encouraging children’s participation.
- Highlighting scenic views.
- Developing a “places worth visiting” mindset.
FULL STORY: It’s not just about bringing workers back to the office: 10 indicators of a downtown resurgence

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

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

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

Nevada Legislature Unanimously Passes Regional Rail Bill
If signed by the governor, the bill will create a task force aimed at developing a regional passenger rail system.

How Infrastructure Shapes Public Trust
A city engineer argues that planners must go beyond code compliance to ensure public infrastructure is truly accessible to all users.

Photos: In Over a Dozen Cities, Housing Activists Connect HUD Cuts and Local Issues
We share images from six of the cities around the country where members of three national organizing networks took action on May 20 to protest cuts to federal housing funding and lift up local solutions.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada