Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to buy a massive Chinese "hypermarket" for close to $1 billion, making Wal-Mart the largest food and department store network in China.
"While Wal-Mart has struggled in some overseas markets, it can't afford missteps in China. Its U.S. business gains are slowing, and costs are rising, forcing the company to look elsewhere for expansion... The company has said it plans to add 18 to 20 stores in China this year. It currently has 66 stores in China, including 61 hypermarkets.
...By acquiring Trust-Mart, which Taiwanese investors founded in 1997, Wal-Mart will gain outlets in more than 20 Chinese provinces or districts and take on about 30,000 workers, according to information about Trust-Mart on its Web site."
[Editor's note: Although normally available only to WSJ subscribers, this article is available to Planetizen readers for seven days.]
Thanks to Peter Gordon
FULL STORY: Wal-Mart to Buy Grocer-Retail Chain in China

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.

Texas Safety Advocates Raise Alarm in Advance of Tesla Robotaxi Launch
The company plans to deploy self-driving taxis in Austin with no oversight from state or local transportation agencies.

How to Fund SF’s Muni Without Cutting Service
Three solutions for bridging the San Francisco transit agency’s budget gap without reducing service for transit-dependent riders.

Austin Tests Self-Driving Bus
Autonomous buses could improve bus yard operations for electric fleets, according to CapMetro.
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
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)