A collaboration between five different neighborhood-focused federal efforts seeks to aid and inspire neighborhood revitalization.
Next American City takes a look at the new program.
"A new White House Office of Urban Affairs initiative-perhaps its first?-was launched last week that seeks to tackle the problems of concentrated urban poverty. It's called the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, and it combines the efforts of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Education, Justice, Health and Human Services, and even the Treasury. The Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative brings with it a lot of institutional memories, and because of this, it shouldn't have the unintended consequences so many late 20th century federal programs had: the flee to suburbia subsidized by the FHA and the Highway Act; the vertical concentration of poverty and isolation caused by HUD's urban renewal projects.
The press release tells us that the Initiative is designed to be interdisciplinary, coordinated, place-based, data- and results-driven, and flexible. Compare that with the heavy-handed destruction that passed for urban revitalization just a few decades ago. It's clear that the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative comes from a group of people who have learned about their institutions' past failures."
FULL STORY: Obama Administration Rolls Out the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative

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

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan
The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.

Expanding Access to Design Education at Honolulu Community College
Honolulu Community College’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technologies program highlights the role of community colleges in preparing nontraditional students for careers in architectural and construction technologies.

Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions
Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions