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

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.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions