Social / Demographics
Black History Month—a Good Time for Planners to Reflect
Planners have good reason to be thoughtful on the occasion of Black History Month. One blogger offers reflections and insight that should inspire thoughtfulness the rest of the year, too.
Examining Rail's Safety Record after Metro-North's Worst Crash
A column in The Week argues that notwithstanding Tuesday's horrific crash of a Metro-North train that killed five passengers, rail is a much safer mode than driving. However, rail deaths are increasing.
Friday Funny: What Makes a Nerd-Friendly City?
Movoto has produced a pair of rankings: "The 10 Nerdiest Cities in America" and "The 10 Nerdiest Small Cities in America." According to the lists, there must be something in the water in Georgia.

Seattle-Portland Rivalry Escalates Over Transit
Amid the constant battle between Seattle and Portland, Seattle-based writer Eric Scigliano responds to an Oregonian article praising Seattle's transit system. Praise is all right, writes Scigliano, but the Oregonian missed a few lowlights.

More Sensationalism About Gentrification
Governing's recent study of gentrification systematically exaggerates gentrification in a variety of ways.
A Policy Change for Special Needs New Yorkers
The Brooklyn Development Center will close Dec. 31. The closure of the state facility is part of a long term goal of deinstitutionalizing the developmentally disabled and integrating them in the community in group homes.
Michigan's Complex Path to Increasing Gas Tax Revenue
On May 5, Michigan voters will go to the polls to decide on a one percent increase in the sales tax, with revenue dedicated to education. But approval of the measure sets off other changes, including converting the gas excise tax to a wholesale tax.
Inequality and Informality in New York
For a MoMA exhibition about urban inequality, Brooklyn architects SITU Studios documented informal housing in New York.
Mapping Income Inequality on D.C.'s Metro Lines
MIT's You Are Here mapping and data visualization project has produced a map of income levels, as tracked by the routes of the Metro subway system in Washington D.C.
Population Declining, Aging in Southwest Virginia
While Washington D.C. and its surrounding counties is in the midst of a population, development, and infrastructure investment boom, the region farther south and west in the state of Virginia is bleeding population.
Solving the 'Female Advocate Dilemma'
Melissa Bruntlett pens a thoughtful essay on the importance of female involvement in urbanism issues and activities.

The Suburbs Are Dead; Long Live the Suburbs
A recent spate of articles pronounced the resurrection of the suburb, so CityLab laid the false dichotomies that drive such proclamations to rest.

Mapping the Demographic Future of Cities
Cities change. The people living in cities change. A new online tool from the Urban Institute allows users to forecast demographic trends as far out at 2030.

Retrofitting Dead and Dying Suburban Malls: What Works?
Denver is a national leader in retrofitting the Great American Suburban Mall. But how well are these retrofits working? A comparative analysis of field reports by college-age Millennials offers some insight.

Urban Millennials Stuck in the Three Largest U.S. Metros
For a variety of economic reasons in addition to urban preferences, young people are not leaving the country's three major metropolitan areas: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and that's not good for the nation's economy nor the individuals.

Study Examines How Personality Types Cluster in Neighborhoods
A new study reveals the personality traits that draw people to certain urban environments.
Economic Recovery Harder to Find at the County Level
You've probably read the news that the country has recovered all the jobs lost in the Great Recession. A new report that analyzes four measures of economic health at the county level reveals a much bleaker picture of the economic recovery.

When 'Gentrification is Good'
Looking a little closer at a city not called New York, San Francisco, or Boston, one writer argues that gentrification is often a good thing.
'Inequality Happens?' Hopefully Not
Even local officials who prefer to talk about the fiscal rebound of their cities will not be able to accept escalating inequality as a byproduct of urban growth forever.

Three Cities Where New Immigrants Revitalized Main Street
Fusion lists three cities as examples of new immigrants becoming the face of community businesses in neighborhoods needing a boost.
Pagination
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Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont