The famous district in Manhattan may finally get the special status needed to provide more services to its residents and businesses.
New York City's Department of City Planning is now reviewing Chinatown's proposal to form a business improvement district.
Joseph de Avila writes,
"Proponents of the district say that sanitation would be its main benefit. The Chinatown Partnership, a local economic development group, has funded street cleanings and additional trash pickups in the neighborhood for the past several years. The efforts have greatly improved sanitation in the neighborhood, but the partnership is unable to fund the cleanings forever, said Wellington Chen, director of the group."
Opponents, however, believe that the added taxes as a part of the BID status will effectively cripple or drive out small businesses.
FULL STORY: Chinatown Business District Plan Moves Ahead
A Visual Celebration of Manhattan’s Chinatown Elder Community, Through Food
Lanterns, cafeteria trays, and community connection take center stage in this stunning photo essay.
Chinatown Residents Create Their Own Plan to Prevent Displacement
In a city looking to land use regulations for answers to an affordable housing crisis, one collection of community groups attempted to create a plan of their own.
SoHo Residents Balk at BID
Is it justified to believe that a proposed SoHo business improvement district, widely embraced elsewhere in the city, would only attract more hordes of visitors and non-residents? Proponents say that residents are fear-mongering.
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