The team at Strong Towns is taking an in-depth look at Amazon, with a week of events, including the point-counterpoint series shared here.
Kea Wilson writes an entreaty for planners and others concerned about the built environment to devote more considerations to the impacts of the growing popularity of online retailer Amazon.
Wilson begins the article by acknowledging the considerable time and energy devoted to critiquing the negative externalities of big box stores. Wilson's appeal to the audience: Amazon could be just as detrimental to the built environment as big box retail has been.
Wilson then lists a few reasons for skepticism toward a future of Amazon-enabled retail, such as Amazon's effect for property and sales tax revenues, Amazon's track record of eliminating jobs, and the casualties in Main Street businesses that will join the loss of larger, national brands.
Responding to the request to focus on Amazon, Charles Marohn has already penned a response. Marohn disagrees with Wilson, first by saying he doesn't dislike Walmart, and then by arguing that the "Amazon benefit" won't last. His larger point is that companies like Walmart and Amazon are taking advantage of a bad game with bad rules. "If you don't like the game, change the rules," writes Marohn, referencing earlier Strong Towns coverage of big box stores.
FULL STORY: Why Urbanists Need to Talk About Amazon
Ross May Be Immune from the Amazon Effect
Ross Stores continues its expansion in the face of a much-foretold retail apocalypse. The shopping experience it provides may be one reason it can stand up to Amazon.
Envisioning a Future Urban Dronescape
Jeff Bezos' proposal to deliver packages by aerial drone has the potential to upset traditional models of logistics and distribution, but it's most powerful effect may be on the urban airspace. Are blue skies ahead for Bezos' vision?
NYC Delivery ‘Microhubs’ Aim to Cut Down on Truck Pollution
The hubs are designed to provide parking for large delivery trucks, which can pass on their cargo to bikes or other zero-emission vehicles.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
Connecticut Just Cause Eviction Bill Dies in State House
The bill would have protected tenants from unfair evictions by requiring landlords to provide a reason for ending a lease.
San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.
Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth
Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions