Redeveloping the slums of Rio de Janeiro has been on the city's agenda for decades. Despite the many challenges, some new efforts seem to be paying off.
"Sao Paulo government resettled 120 poor families to at the outskirts of the city in 1971. And unexpectedly this area fast became a colony of migrant persons. More and more wooden houses form a 100-square-meter slum with 125,000 living there. Since 2005, the Sao Paulo government has invested 135 million Real (about 76.7 million US dollars) to reconstruct the district.
They built municipal infrastructures, public schools and hospitals. Some roads are even paved with asphalt. Around 1,700 low-cost houses benefited many poor families. The mayor of Sao Paulo Gilberto Kassab said 'this district is no longer a slum but a well-organized city community.'"
And as the city prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics, officials at the local and federal level are hoping to make big strides in reducing extreme poverty in this and other urban areas within the decade.
FULL STORY: Brazil struggles to transform slums into new communities

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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?

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.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
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