Ariel Schwartz writes about Popuphood, a project aiming to dramatically revitalize the Old Oakland neighborhood by offering six months of free rent to five retail establishments on one block.
Pop-ups seem to be all the rage these days in cities across the country, perhaps you've heard of a pop-up restaurant, pop-up store, or pop-up park in your city. In Oakland, entrepreneur Alfonso Dominguez and urban planner Sarah Filley teamed to create Popuphood by utilizing previously vacant storefronts along one block in the historic Old Oakland neighborhood.
"The concept of simultaneously curated retailers that open all at once removes several of the barriers to entry right away," explains Filley. "One is being the lone pioneer in a transitional neighborhood. Another is the initial capital of buildout, rent, and staffing. The third barrier is, doing it on your own, you don't necessarily have a retail community...In this case the retailers have [neighbors] that they know will complement their business."
According to Schwartz, building of their successes in Old Oakland, the team is developing an umbrella company to replicate the Popuphood concept elsewhere in the city.
FULL STORY: Popuphood: How To Revitalize A Struggling Neighborhood In Six Months

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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