In the face of large-scale manufacturing job losses, Ontario's Kitchener-Waterloo region still manages to lead the nation in economic development and innovation.
"One essential ingredient lies beneath Waterloo Region's historic ability to shrug off economic shocks and advance to new and leading-edge activities: Culture. The building blocks were laid by hard-working Mennonites who flooded into this part of Southwestern Ontario in the 1800s and were followed by successive waves of immigrants from Germany and elsewhere who embraced change."
"The area has been at various times the furniture capital of Canada, the button capital, the shoe making capital and the rubber capital. It's an automotive capital with the expanding presence of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. on the northern edge of Cambridge. Food processing has been a mainstay for more than 100 years. There's diversification beyond manufacturing with a large financial services component through Manulife Financial Corp. and other insurance companies."
FULL STORY: A place that doesn't hold back its best

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls
The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.
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.
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Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions