Economic Development

Laying a Brick Foundation for Success in Rwanda

Benita Hussain describes an innovative architecture project serving Rwandan women in their quest to rebuild the country.

March 25, 2012 - Good

Maximizing the Economic Potential of American Cities

Inspired by three books published in the last year that help to elucidate the role of cities and density in making people and countries richer, Ezra Klein compiles some lessons for economic development in the United States.

March 13, 2012 - The Washington Post

Urban Revitalization: Baby Steps or the Magic Bullet?

Writer Tara Sturm explores the merits of incremental urbanism on revitalization efforts with the help of L.A. architect Alan Pullman, highlighting grassroots, community-driven economic development.

February 3, 2012 - Buildipedia.com

Mexican Bridge is an Experiment in Social Engineering

A new bridge completed this month is a key element in a $1.5 billion "superhighway" intended to bring economic development and the rule of law to a place now dominated by some of the country’s biggest illegal drug growers and gangsters.

January 31, 2012 - The Washington Post

The Innovations Building the Next Economy in 2012

Bruce Katz and Judith Rodin identify the forward thinking and innovative solutions that collaborative groups are implementing to restore prosperity to their communities.

January 18, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Want Your City to Thrive? Get More Bandwidth

Jobs of the future will be located in areas with some of the fastest bandwidth in the world -- and American is in sorry shape, writes columnist Thomas Friedman in The New York Times.

January 5, 2012 - The New York Times

California Supreme Court Rules to Eliminate Redevelopment Agencies

The court's decision is likely to have far-reaching effects on how cities in California finance and facilitate urban redevelopment.

December 30, 2011 - Los Angeles Times

Does Local Economic Development Work?

Academic Mario Polèse argues that the history of local economic development is a "story of academic fads", that have "proven of little practical use."

December 26, 2011 - City Journal

The Best Journalism About Cities in 2011

From Braddock, Pennsylvania to Beijing, Nate Berg offers his favorite articles about cities published in 2011.

December 22, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

Business Leaders Push Back on Philadelphia Red Tape

A report from the Sustainable Business Network recommends policy changes that will help Philadelphia improve business formation and job growth.

November 21, 2011 - Philadelphia Inquirer

Is Urban Life Overrated?

Drawing from lessons learned by a Seattle-based economic development organization working in Africa, Chuck Wolfe notes that "[s]ometimes, finding a way to keep a meaningful rural existence trumps city life."

October 28, 2011 - myurbanist

Struggling Centers Revitalized With New Tenants

With the increasing popularity of online shopping, many shopping centers are losing retailers left and right. More unusual tenants are filling in the gaps, like gun ranges and bounce houses.

October 27, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

What do Californians Want From Government?

CA Speaker of the Assembly John Pérez discusses the current challenges faced by government in California, drawing particular attention to the struggle for consensus on how the State should support economic development at the local level. (VIDEO)

September 17, 2011 - The Planning Report

The Controversy Over Sports Stadiums Continues

It appears that everyone is talking about the impact that sports stadiums have on urban economic development. As soon as one person says they're a terrible idea, another article will retort the benefits brought to a given city.

August 23, 2011 - Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

How to Turn Around the FHLB's Economic Development

The lackluster performance of the Federal Home Loan Banks' economic development could be improved by following the model of their own Affordable Housing Program, writes Carol Wayman.

August 23, 2011 - Shelterforce

Publicly-Funded Stadiums Bad Deal for Cities

Sports teams often coerce cities into contributing public funds toward the building of new stadiums. Numerous reports indicate that it's a bad deal for cities with little to no positive economic impact, writes Neal DeMause.

August 21, 2011 - The Nation

NYC Jumps on the Gravy (or, uh, Tomato) Train

Mayor Michael Bloomberg ramps up efforts to support NYC's growing urban food cluster via set up new legislation, signed yesterday.

August 19, 2011 - Initiative for a Competitive Inner City

Community Development Corporations Step In Where Business Fear to Tread

With hundreds of billions of dollars in short-term commercial real estate loans underwater, it's safe to say commercial real estate is in trouble. But can community development corporations confront the lending shortfall?

August 13, 2011 - Shelterforce

Density Brings in More Tax Income Than Big Box

Dense downtowns provide more tax revenues for cities than strip mall and big box development on a per acre basis, according to a new study.

August 10, 2011 - Glendwood Springs Post Independent

Entertainment Industry is Now an Urban Business

With digital cinematography replacing location shooting and huge soundstages, the entertainment industry is becoming a lucrative, sought-after tenant in downtowns and urban areas.

August 8, 2011 - Urban Land

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.