Social / Demographics

Medical Marijuana Protest

Over 500 Medical Marijuana Shops Shuttered in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, Proposition D has done its job over the past two years, putting a damper on new medical marijuana shops and dispensaries. Meanwhile, California inches toward decriminalization.

April 29, 2015 - Next City

Race and ethnicity 2010: New York City

Study: More Than Income, Race Influences Neighborhood Standards

Although income inequality receives plenty of coverage these days, research suggests that neighborhoods of color have less access to resources than white neighborhoods despite similar median incomes.

April 28, 2015 - Next City

Detroit Vacant Properties

How Urban Ugliness Increases Stress

The definition of blight may be in the eye of the beholder, but it may also be subconscious. Broken windows, abandoned buildings, and weed-filled yards may actually create stress and degrade health, according to a small study out of Philadelphia.

April 26, 2015 - Fast Co.Exist

Will Expenses in Coastal Cities Lead to Northeast Ohio's Resurgence?

Joel Kotkin recently waded into the conversation about that it will take to return Legacy Cities into the prosperity of former years.

April 26, 2015 - The Plain Dealer

A New 'Livability Index' to Help Americans Age in Place

Following on research findings produced a year ago, AARP announced the release of its Livability Index earlier this week at the APA National Planning Conference.

April 23, 2015 - Reverse Mortgage Daily

The Castro

Music Clubs in S.F. Fight for Right to Party

Local ordinances typically try to protect residents from excess noise. In San Francisco, though, a city official is proposing policies that would protect the right of musical acts to keep rocking despite the encroachment of new neighbors.

April 23, 2015 - SF Weekly

Hipster Cyclists

Op-Ed: Stop the Hipster Hate

Un-American to some, symbol of oblivious privilege to others, the urban hipster is a polarizing character. But the stereotype also lays blanket criticism on those simply trying to make people-scaled cities work.

April 22, 2015 - kevinklinkenberg.com

Foresight and the Built Environment

In the ever changing global landscape, organizations need to anticipate and adapt to shifting circumstances to survive. AJ Artemel spoke to Dr. Gereon Uerz of the Arup Foresight + Innovation team to discuss how this can be realized.

April 21, 2015 - Arup Connect

Pittsburgh Skyline

Pittsburgh Reduces Crime with 'Slumlord Buy-Out' Program

At least some of a remarkable 49 percent drop in crime in a rough Pittsburgh is attributed to a new nonprofit-sponsored program designed to put slumlords out of business and get rid of their problem tenants.

April 21, 2015 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gated House

The Rise of 'Segregated Affluence'

American cities are often described as 'segregated,' but segregation is not always well defined. A new study reveals a distinctive pattern: American cities tend to have many small areas of affluence amid fewer, but often larger, areas of poverty.

April 18, 2015 - The Atlantic

A New Remedy for America's Complicated Immigration History

Our immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform. Comprehensive reform would address all aspects of our immigration system, not just focus on enforcement measures, for example, or on updating a single kind of visa.

April 17, 2015 - Shelterforce

Homelessness

Seattle's Homeless Population Is Booming Too

While rates of homelessness drop elsewhere, tents and cardboard are becoming a very regular sight in Seattle. New wealth and newly unaffordable housing may be twin culprits.

April 15, 2015 - NPR

play fountain

Family-Friendly Downtown Living

What helps make a downtown family friendly? Safe places to play, safe streets, good schools and attainable housing, writes Jennifer Hill.

April 14, 2015 - Community Builders

Parking Sign

Book Review: Before 'Park' Became a Verb

With so much to learn just by reading a Wall Street Journal book review of "Bike Battles: A History of Sharing the American Road" by James Longhurst, history professor at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, imagine what's to learn by reading the book.

April 13, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal

Woman on Transit

How Planning Can Reduce the Threat of Gender Violence

A piece from Anchorage, Alaska discusses problems that can arise when planners don't address gender-based safety. Walkable, populated, well-lit streets and transit are the best remedy.

April 12, 2015 - The Arctic Urbanophile

San Francisco Homeless

Study: Income Inequality Lowers Life Expectancy

Research suggests a correlation between regional income inequality and poorer health. Several statistical and sociological causes may come into play.

April 10, 2015 - New York Times

Tysons Corner

Suburbs Try to Figure Out Transit

Of the many reasons why the suburban lifestyle is falling out of favor with young Americans, reliance on automobiles is near the top of the list. Some suburbs are now figuring out that, to attract Millennials, they must also invest in better transit.

April 6, 2015 - The Washington Post

Study: 8,000 Latinos Have Left the Mission Since 2000

A recent study by the Council of Community Housing Organizations and the Mission Economic Development Agency puts some hard numbers to the displacement forces weeping through a historically Latino neighborhood in San Francisco.

April 5, 2015 - San Francisco Examiner

Latino Neighborhood

Can Gentrification Integrate Neighborhoods?

Hector Tobar argues that despite the well-documented ills of gentrification, under the right circumstances it can eat into long decades of racial segregation. Eastern Los Angeles may be a prime test case.

April 2, 2015 - New York Times

Starbucks

What do we want? COFFEE! When do we want it? NOW!!!

The City Observatory's new Cappuccino Congestion Index quantifies the delay that inadequate coffeeshop capacity imposes on caffeine consumers. For cappuccino-sucking urbanites, it is a more severe problem than traffic congestion.

April 2, 2015 - City Observatory City Commentary

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.

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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

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