Eight Chicago universities have agreed to engage with the city and local communities as they invest in their neighborhoods. The hope is to increase opportunities for employment and economic growth.

A piece from the Urban Institute details how Chicago "anchor institutions" are working with the city to promote neighborhood economic opportunity. The schools include the University of Chicago, DePaul University, the Illinois Institute of Technology, Loyola University, Northwestern University, Rush University, the School of the Art Institute, and the University of Illinois-Chicago.
From the article: "The universities each entered into separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) that outlined anticipated investments in local neighborhoods and a mutual commitment for universities to further engage with city leadership and local communities to bolster economic growth and opportunity." A press release from the City of Chicago further outlines the specific private investments each university plans to make.
The Urban Institute has prepared a related report entitled Striking a (Local) Grand Bargain. According to the authors, the paper presents the "best ways to align cities and local anchors—universities, hospitals, and medical centers—around shared interests and large scale economic and community development."
FULL STORY: Anchor institutions in Chicago step up

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living
Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown
In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax
Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan
After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning
The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency
City of Orange
City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
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.