Planners face the increasing challenge of how to improve economic opportunities for individuals while simultaneously improving urban neighborhoods without triggering gentrification.
Within the toolbox that planners have at their disposal, there are multiple options available to improve the physical environment. However, as the growing recognition of economic inequality shows, planners have fewer tools to improve the lives of individual citizens. Bill Fulton writes in Governing that planners "can’t do the one thing that would most improve residents’ lives: put money in their pockets."
"In large part, the answer boils down to the old people-versus-place question in urban policy: Do you focus on improving struggling neighborhoods in the hopes that everyone in the neighborhood will be better off? Or do you focus on helping people get a leg up, even if it means they leave the neighborhood?"
The challenge for planners, Fulton writes, is to seek the right balance between improving neighborhoods and improving the lives of its residents. Evidence shows that poorer residents living among more affluent neighbors will have better economic livelihoods, but moving more affluent residents into poorer neighborhoods can trigger gentrification, which will ultimately displace those who could benefit most.
FULL STORY: To Help Poor Neighborhoods, Urban Planners Have to Do More Than Urban Planning

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
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service