A major grocer in Ohio is trying to keep some of its smaller stores open in areas that would otherwise be food deserts. But profits are hard to come by, and stores continue to move out of town.
"Kroger's decision to close an unprofitable and aged store in Roselawn last month has spotlighted again a years-long debate over the role grocers and municipalities should play in providing residents with healthy food.
This time though, the issue is on stronger footing. Troubled by rising obesity rates, a local Food Access Task Force is working to identify communities with limited access to fresh and healthy food, areas it calls "food deserts." State and federal organizations have pinpointed examples of these deserts all over the country. President Barack Obama has made supermarket expansion and access to food key priorities in his 2011 budget."
A recent analysis by The Cincinnati Enquirer shows that grocery stores in the metropolitan area have steadily moved out of city neighborhoods and into outlying areas.
FULL STORY: Grocer trends create 'deserts'
Combatting the Food Desert of Detroit
Grist's food editor visits Detroit, where the lack of grocery stores has inspired a number of innovative, locally-grown food projects.
Building Neighborhoods Through Grocery Stores
To survive, neighborhoods need to be commercially viable. A group called the Food Trust believes grocery stores are a good starting point for creating that economic climate.
How Smaller Supermarkets Could Transform American Communities
Bigger is not always better.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie