Redevelopment

Could Vagrants Doom A Rebounding Downtown?

The issues posed by homeless people in downtown Riverside, California, are not out of the ordinary. But they definitely do not help the city's efforts to revitalize downtown.

December 3, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

Redressing Strip Malls

Strip malls could be the next frontier for urban redevelopment, according to Chris Nelson.

November 15, 2008 - The Oregonian

Taking City Revitalization Beyond Iconic Architecture

Many cities see new iconic buildings as a major element in recreating themselves into distinctive places. But if every city has distinctive buildings, the distinctiveness is diminished. This commentary argues for new revitalization ideas.

October 7, 2008 - Guardian

Neighbors Oppose Possible Street Sale in New York

One of New York City's smallest and least-known streets is attracting the eyes of private developers, and the city seems keen to sell. But neighbors say the tiny street is worth preserving.

October 1, 2008 - The New York Times

Judge To City: Stop The Manhattanization Of Downtown!

In a huge blow to a city already polarized by a ballot-box planning initiative affecting open space on the November ballot, a judge has halted downtown redevelopment by rejecting the Environmental Impact Report in part because of the 'shadow effect'.

September 25, 2008 - San Mateo County Times

Cheap Sicilian Villas, Some Strings Attached

In Salemi, Italy, 3000 villas ravaged in a 1968 earthquake are now on the market for about U.S.$1.41. However, interested buyers must adhere to a number of stipulations, including a two-year deadline for development.

September 18, 2008 - Newsweek

Beautification Not Enough to Create Italy in Inverness

Using Milan as a model, Inverness, Scotland has lofty plans for its Old Town. To achieve them, asserts one local historian, the city must get creative--and more optimistic--in meetings its challenges.

September 17, 2008 - The Inverness Courier

Possible $349 Millon Cut from Affordable Housing in CA

Proposals from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative Republicans to close the state's $15 billion budget deficit would to take away hundreds of millions of dollars from local redevelopment agencies.

September 11, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

Should Redevelopment Answer To Taxpayers?

Tax watchdogs in Idaho are challenging the state's redevelopment agencies, and opened up the question: are they city departments, or not? And if they are, shouldn't their decisions follow the will of the voters?

August 28, 2008 - The Boise Weekly

Inner-City Suburbs Rebranded as 'Classic Towns'

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the MPO for the Philadelphia metropolitan region, has introduced an innovate way of making people aware of the benefits of older, established suburbs: market them.

August 5, 2008 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Underpreserved Beijing Feels Sting of Gentrification

As Beijing undergoes rapid redevelopment, many historic buildings have been lost in the scramble. Now the few that remain are inspiring a flood of gentrification.

July 24, 2008 - The New York Times

Miamians Protest $3 Billion Mega-Plan

The City of Miami is pushing a new 'mega-plan' that rolls a stadium, tunnel, public park, trolley system, and bailout into one $3 billion dollar deal. Miamians, including local car dealer Norman Braman, are pushing back.

July 17, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Parking Key to Tysons Corner Redevelopment

In the Washington D.C.-suburb of Tysons Corner, plans for a major downtown redevelopment hinge on one basic issue: parking.

July 8, 2008 - The Washington Post

Controversial $3 Billion Queens Redevelopment Plan Clears Hurdle

It's known as the Iron Triangle, though some call the sewerless 13-block collection of auto junkyards just east of Shea Stadium an eyesore and disgrace. A controversial application of eminent domain is at the heart of the $3 billion makeover plan.

July 7, 2008 - Queens Chronicle

Cash for Transit Drives Hudson Yards Plan

James S. Russell comments on the $1 billion deal to redevelop Hudson Yards, and finds the plan lacking in vision.

June 6, 2008 - Bloomberg.com

Cities Seek Ways to Fight Growing Housing Blight

In California's Inland Empire, abandoned houses are plentiful- the fallout from the subprime mortgage mess. Bill Fulton reports on what some cites are doing to keep the abandoned houses from dragging down neighborhoods.

May 30, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

Developer To SF: Let's Make A Deal On Affordable Housing

Hoping to head off a competing ballot measure, Miami-based developer Lennar Corp. has voluntarily agreed to set aside 3,200 of the planned 10,000 homes on San Francisco's Hunters and Candlestick Point for low- and moderate-income families.

May 20, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

8 Years And $45 Million Later, Still Nothing

Efforts to redevelop a blighted commercial plaza in South Los Angeles have proved fruitless -- angering residents who say the city has ignored them and allowed taxpayer money to be wasted. Questions remain about the developer's financial dealings.

May 4, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Boston's Cruise Boat Terminal Faces Uncertain Future

Once supported by the Mayor and Massachusetts Port Authority, plans to enhance Boston's Black Falcon cruise boat terminal are now up in the air.

April 29, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Infill Projects Set To Connect Cities, Transform Region

Urban infill developments are slated to transform the vast industrial land between Charleston and North Charleston, South Carolina, known as "the Neck" area, into live-work communities that stitch the two cities together.

April 22, 2008 - Charleston Business Journal

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.

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