Community Development

Aerial view of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Opinion: Congress Should Expand the Opportunity Zone Program

The federal economic development program has brought over $100 billion in private investment to revitalize struggling communities.

January 3, 2025 - Governing

Group of elementary school children running in an outdoor corridor.

Fact Check: New Housing Doesn’t Lead to Overcrowded Schools

A common refrain heard by locals opposed to new housing developments is that area schools can’t absorb the increase in students they’ll bring. As the nation approaches an “enrollment cliff,” the data tells a different story.

December 16, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

View from back of classroom of elementary school children at desks with raised hands engaged in class.

Why Some Affordable Housing Managers Are Running Education Programs

Many housing organizations are finding that educational programs are a logical — and valuable — addition to their offerings.

December 9, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Group of children with backpacks walking toward colorful modern school building.

Expanding the Mission: Community Groups Serving Schools

Some community development organizations have added education to their traditional focus on housing and economic development, looking for ways to support families and children by partnering with local school districts. How is it working?

December 5, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Historic clock surrounded by public seating in plaza in downtown Cranford, New Jersey.

The Story of Eastman Clock Plaza in Downtown Cranford

How a small plaza in Cranford, New Jersey became a community beacon.

December 4, 2024 - Gabe Bailer - PP - AICP - NJ Urbanthinker

Colorful paper banners strung across street in historic tourist neighborhood in San Antonio, Texas.

Placemaking in the Barrio: Conceptualizing Infill Development in Disenfranchised Communities

How one San Antonio neighborhood could approach sustainable revitalization while supporting the existing community and drawing on its rich and diverse history and cultural resources.

November 5, 2024 - Matthew Reyes

Man golfing on golf course in Watts, Los Angeles, California.

A Historic Golf Club's Community Revival

South LA’s Chester Washington Golf Club is experiencing a revitalization, blending its rich legacy with modern advancements while continuing to foster community, diversity, and fellowship.

October 18, 2024 - Fore

Back view of group of six children and one adult walking down school hallway.

The Role of Schools in Fostering Vibrant and Inclusive Communities

Discover how schools play a crucial role in community development by fostering inclusivity, enhancing local engagement, and serving as hubs for social and cultural activities.

August 20, 2024 - Devin Partida

Group of people standing around a table with food in front of homes during a block party.

Bringing Back the Block Party

How a humble neighborhood get-together can help build stronger cities.

July 29, 2024 - Strong Towns

Nighttime view of Cincinnati, Ohio skyline

Strength in Diversity: Crafting an Affordable Housing Coalition in Cincinnati

The city’s longtime champions of housing for low-income residents joined forces with an array of allies to establish a sustainable source of funding for affordable housing.

July 12, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial gondola car in the air overlooking the city of Medellin, Colombia.

Harnessing Data for Community Development

Using data and insights encourages the development of a community, offering an evidence-based strategy to directly address the needs within.

September 20, 2023 - Devin Partida

View of east Baltimore, Maryland low-slung brick buildings against a lightly cloudy blue sky

A Dirty Little Secret: Rising Property Values Are Incompatible With Affordability

Rising property values come with positive community development, but this shift can make neighborhoods inaccessible to low-income renters and fixed-income homeowners.

August 4, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

Blurred image of people shopping at night market

California Bill Would Streamline Permitting for Farmers’, Night Markets

The state currently has no unified process for night markets and other recurring events, making it difficult and costly for organizers.

July 20, 2023 - Governing

Vacant run-down houses in Gary, Indiana

Commentary: Place-Based Policy Must Target Chronically Poor Areas

As more evidence shows that neighborhood-level factors heavily impact future outcomes, place-based policies should use more accurate measurements to ensure persistently poor places don’t fall through the cracks.

July 18, 2023 - Route Fifty

Pedestrians walk down car-free Mont-Royal Avenue next to green outdoor dining kiosks in Montreal, Canada

Car-Free Montreal Street Hailed as Success

A summer pedestrianization project is widely popular with residents and local businesses.

July 13, 2023 - The Globe and Mail

Sillhouettes of tall alm trees in Los Angeles against dark sunset colors

Summer Fun at Los Angeles County Parks

L.A. County's popular and award-winning Parks After Dark program returns for the summer, providing opportunities for residents to come together in safe and welcoming spaces where they can access quality programming and a variety of services.

June 26, 2023 - KTLA5

Safe Places to Play mini-pitch at Luis Muñoz Marin School in Newark, New Jersey

Improving Communities Through Soccer

LEGO has partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to create a new safe place for kids to play soccer and gain life skills in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

June 26, 2023 - KOB4

Anacostia River

Can D.C. Build its Bridge Park Without Displacement?

The park's non-profit developer has engaged in a years-long community outreach process and invested over $60 million in community initiatives.

February 18, 2021 - NextCity

Gentrification

What Is Gentrification?

Gentrification is a process of neighborhood change, usually resulting from an influx of relatively wealthy, white residents to a neighborhood. But that definition, and the controversies that follow, vary greatly by location, and there is no universally accepted definition of the term.

January 14, 2021 - James Brasuell

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.