The Los Angeles Times supports the city's ordinance that requires an analysis of economic impacts for new superstores and challenges Wal-Mart to use its clout for economic development.
"Another welcome consequence would be if the new law pushed Wal-Mart to tailor its stores to an area's needs. Los Angeles badly needs more mixed-use and infill development, not big boxes surrounded by acres of parking lots.
For instance, a regular-sized Wal-Mart moved in to anchor a half-abandoned shopping center in Baldwin Hills last year and now attracts enough customers to help the center's other retail tenants, not drive them out of business. Rather than fighting the new law, the company should seize the chance to play the good guy."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: A Hopeful Law on Wal-Mart

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

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA
The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

More Apartments Are Being Built in Less-Dense Areas
Rising housing costs in urban cores and a demand for rental housing is driving more multifamily development to exurbs and small metros.

Plastic Bag Bans Actually Worked
U.S. coastal areas with plastic bag bans or fees saw significant reductions in plastic bag pollution — but plastic waste as a whole is growing.

Improving Indoor Air Quality, One Block at a Time
A movement to switch to electric appliances at the neighborhood scale is taking off in California.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)