A new program by Smart Growth America is working within specific communities to find ways to deliver the benefits of revitalization with fewer of the drawbacks.
Alex Hutchinson shares news of a nascent program by Smart Growth America to explore one of the most challenging topics of contemporary times: how to "capture benefits from the revitalization process for families of all income levels." Finding solutions for that challenge is the goal of the new Planning for Successful and Equitable Revitalization program, which is included in the Smart Growth America technical assistance offerings.
Hutchinson'a post serves to announce the first three communities selected to participate in the program: Birmingham, Alabama; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Raleigh, North Carolina.
- In Birmingham, Smart Growth America will work with REV Birmingham "to help independent retailers and small businesses in the Woodlawn neighborhood remain in their existing locations and expand their offerings as the area grows."
- The Jersey City Redevelopment Agency with work with Smart Growth America to "identify the obstacles low- and moderate-income applicants face when trying to find housing, and will develop a methodology for a supply/demand analysis for naturally occurring low-moderate income housing."
- In Raleigh, the program will with the Department of City Planning "to create equitable development around planned bus rapid transit stations."
The post also includes soundbites from Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Raleigh Planning Director Ken Bowers.
Read the full story: Jersey City, Birmingham, and Raleigh win new workshops for revitalization without displacement
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Post election, Texas is no longer Musk’s 'AI oasis'
Elon Musk dolled out $446 million on the 2026 midterms, the most ever spent by a non-canidate.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority