Urban Development
Charting the 'Urban Shift' Among Technology Start-Ups
Once upon a time, tech start-ups located almost exclusively in the suburbs. New data reveals the extent to which this pattern has been reversed.
Examining the United States’ Urban/Rural Dichotomy
Governing presents a special series examining the “Rural/Urban Divide” in the United States.
Grocery Stores Require New Business Models in Food Deserts
Nathanael Johnson reports on what makes healthy grocery stores succeed in food deserts.
Development Benefits of Minneapolis’ Blue Line Scrutinized
A new paper in the Regional Science and Urban Economics journal presents a lukewarm review of the Minneapolis Blue Line’s impact on development through 2010—doing little to buoy the market during the Great Recession.
What Street Grids Reveal About a City
Author and blogger David Prowler takes a lighthearted and pictorial look at what the layout of a town's streets unveils about a city's history and aspirations.
The Most Dangerous Small Towns in America
Where are the most dangerous—and least populated—places to live in America? Surprisingly, none are on the west coast.
What Do Urban Trends Mean for Banks?
A recent article describes the context of urbanization around the country before examining the implications of the trend for the decisions made by bankers—i.e., where and how to invest—especially given the realities of the post-recession economy.
Hyper-Urbanization: China Plans for 100 Million New City Residents by 2020
China recently announced ambitious plans to move 100 million former farmers to urban environments—enough to bring the country's urban population to 60 percent of its total.
Amid Downtown Resurgence, Columbus, OH Extends Property Tax Break
In 2013, the city of Columbus left $8.3 million in property taxes on the table as part of a tax break intended to increase the number of people living downtown. How did it respond? By extending the tax break.
New Development Begs the Question: Which Way, San Jose?
Despite its mostly sprawling conditions, San Jose has recently prioritized walkable, dense urban environments. But should the city focus its development downtown or build a connected network of urban neighborhoods?
How Urban Design Begets Happiness
A new book by Charles Montgomery makes the case that many of the best possible outcomes for the built environment require human interaction—whether commuting to work or walking around residential neighborhoods.
Lessons for Shrinking Cities from Youngstown, Ohio
The city of Youngstown, Ohio has lost 60 percent of its population since the 1960s. The Youngstown 2010 plan attempted to redevelop a new, smaller city, but how well has it accomplished its goals so far?
New Garden City Won't Solve London's Affordable-Housing Problem
London’s contemporary affordable-housing crisis has revived a century-old idea: the garden city.
Social Justice Through Tiny House Communities
Tiny houses aren’t just for eco-warriors. They can also be a means for homeless and mentally ill individuals to reenter mainstream society.
Sow Low-Density Residential; Reap Lack of Retail
The cautionary tale of “a very suburban kerfuffle” in Blaine, Minnesota: residents of a “large, multi-builder housing development” who once opposed a multi-family residential development in the neighborhood now lament a lack of retail.
Vancouver Could Remove Parking Minimums for Condo Developments
Vancouver’s Transportation 2040 plan allowed for the easing of parking minimums for residential developments in parts of the city, and now city planners are beginning to explore where and how condos can be built without parking.
Is Providence, RI the Most Exciting Mid-Size City in America?
You’re totally forgiven for snickering; most people wouldn’t have guessed that a city in Rhode Island would have made it anywhere near the top of a list of exciting cities.
The Underlying Patterns of Urban Street Design
Based on empirical study, J. Alexander Maxwell and fellow University of Strathclyde researchers, in collaboration with Chuck Wolfe, argue for recalling historic patterns of pedestrian city settings in contemporary urban design and policies.
Massive Public Housing Project Endangered in Los Angeles
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles had been counting on a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods federal grant to help fund a massive makeover for Jordan Downs—one of the most downtrodden sections of Watts in South Los Angeles.
Making the Case for Downtowns: Tax Revenue
Joe Minicozzi of Urban3 recently got national media attention from Forbes. The article describes Minicozzi as a kind of evangelist, making a strong, rational case for cities of all sizes to invest in their downtowns instead of big box retail.
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.
Yukon Government
Caltrans
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Norman, Oklahoma
City of Portland
City of Laramie
