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

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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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions