English Prime Minister Gordon Brown is confident that the 2012 Summer Olympics will bring a big economic benefit to London. But with costs rising beyond expectations, some are skeptical of the PM's prediction.
He said the games would create not only temporary event-based jobs, but a long-term positive impact on the city's economy.
"Construction on the Olympic Park, which organisers call the largest building project in Europe, is on track to be completed ahead of schedule.
However increased venue costs have contributed to the overall Olympic budget spiralling from the initial estimate of 2.4 billion pounds ($3.9 billion) to 9.3 billion pounds.
The British taxpayer has had to step in after private funding partners for two of the biggest venues, the Olympic village and media centre, struggled to secure commercial financing in the credit crunch."
FULL STORY: Brown Says London 2012 to Fuel Regeneration

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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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont