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

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Google street view of yellow "End Freeway 1/4 mile" sign on 90 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing

A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

September 26, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Report: Bike Lanes Can't Make up for New Roads

If California wants to meet its climate goals, the state must stop funding its myriad road construction and expansion projects.

September 29 - Streetsblog California

Late evening view of downtown Minneapolis skyline with stone bridge in foreground

Minneapolis Affordable Housing Project Largest in 20 Years

The city opened its first large multifamily affordable housing complex in decades, but a recent court ruling against the Minneapolis 2040 rezoning plan could jeopardize future projects.

September 29 - Minnesota Public Radio

Close-up of vertical PARK sign on multistory urban parking garage.

NYC Mayor Proposes Eliminating Parking Minimums

Mayor Adams wants to stop requiring off-site parking for new buildings to reduce the costs of construction as part of the ‘City of Yes’ package of zoning reforms.

September 29 - StreetsBlog NYC

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.