The research director of the National League of Cities explains the defining characteristics of local economies—namely that of five distinct kinds of local economies, three serve to distinguish the nuances between mid-sized cities.
Chistiana McFarland shares news of a report published by the National League of Cities. The report, titled "Local Economic Conditions: The Untold Story of the Varied Middle," introduces "five distinct types of local economies": a highly rural cluster, a large central city cluster, and three different kinds of economies that represent a middle ground between those two ends of spectrum.
The report defines the three mid-sized varieties of local economies as "Room to Grow," "Mid-sized Business Boomers," and "Cities on Par."
According to McFarland's explanation, these three varieties of mid-sized cities are further defined as follows:
- Room to Grow economies are defined by favorable commercial property values, affordable housing stock and population growth.
- Mid-Sized Business Boomer city cluster comprises hotbeds of business expansions located mostly in core cities of mid-sized metro areas.
- Cities on Par cluster tend to have populations between 50,000 and 100,000 and are defined largely by their high residential property values.
FULL STORY: The Untold Story of Mid-Sized Economies
Climate Change Impacts at the County Level
A recent study lends new specificity of the human cost and economic damage wreaked by climate change in the coming decades.
Mid-Size Cities Struggle to Provide Reliable Transit
Smaller transit agencies face some unique challenges.
Historically Redlined Neighborhoods Have Higher Rates of Pedestrian Deaths, Study Says
The consequences of historic redlining continue to have consequences in the present day United States. Add another example to the list.
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