Planetizen Week in Review: September 17, 2016

This week featured good news on the economy like it was pre-2008.

2 minute read

September 17, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Yankee Stadium

David W. Leindecker / Shutterstock

The studies about the housing market and the U.S. economy were plentiful this week, and to the surprise of many of us who have been watching for awhile, there was plenty of good news to go around.

Headlining the week's data dump was new income and poverty data from the Current Population Survey report by the U.S. Census. Speaking of good news, that data reveled that between 2014 and 2015, 3.5 million Americans were lifted out of poverty. Other studies included a new way of analyzing sprawl, accounting for the low-density development that happens in existing urban areas. That new study raises tough questions about how the country builds housing that's affordable for more of the population. And because all good news is worthy of some skepticism, there is also new evidence of anxiety among many Americans about their housing security.

Finally, Brookings examines the use of federal subsidies for professional sports stadiumsotherwise known as how the taxpayers of Alaska helped finance the new Yankee Stadium.

For more information on the stories discussed in this video, see the articles below.

And if you need to catch up on all the big news stories of recent weeks, don't forget to check past editions of the Planetizen Week in Review.

Friday, September 16, 2016 in Planetizen

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

15 minutes ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

2 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

4 hours ago - The Washington Post