Immigrant communities often create thriving economies of small businesses that can revitalize declining cities -- if modernist planners will let them.
"The fact that the inner city has a structure that is particularly favourable to small businesses becomes apparent if we study the distribution of businesses in the range 1-4 employees located at street level in Stockholm. To start with, there are four times as many small businesses in the inner city if we compare with size of population. We can also see clear cluster formations in the inner city along important shopping streets and around squares, while we see an even distribution of lone wolves in the outer city. The inner city is, however, gentrified and it is getting increasingly expensive and difficult to live and operate there. The potential for vitality that exists in the population structure of the suburbs does not come into its own, because the settlement pattern puts obstacles in its path. But even the city districts in the suburbs vary in their structure, both as regards their internal organisation and links with the outside world."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: The vital businesses of immigrants
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association