A symbol of urbanist affluence is getting its first reality check. 2017 has not been kind to brock and mortar retailers.

"Whole Foods Market Inc., facing its worst sales slump in more than a decade, is taking a step that would have been unthinkable in its highflying days: shrinking the size of the chain," reports Craig Giammona.
Long the subject of gentrification fears and concerns about the expense of its products, Whole Foods now joins the ranks of retailers dealing with bad fiscal news and reducing the footprint of their operations in 2017. According to Giammona, the explanation for Whole Foods' struggles can be traced to "competition from mainstream supermarkets, including Kroger Co. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which began offering more organic fare in recent years."
If you need a musical interlude to lift your spirits after receiving such distressing organic-food-related news, here's a reminder about "It's Getting Real in the Whole Foods Parking Lot," a song and video that picked up a large amount of viral success back in 2011.
FULL STORY: Whole Foods to Shrink Store Count for First Time Since 2008

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.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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