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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie