United States
Why Neighbors May Want to Welcome Wal-Mart With Open Arms
Two assistant professors from the University of Chicago and BYU have found that the addition of a Wal-Mart store in a neighborhood can raise the value of homes within a mile of the store, reports Mary Ellen Podmolik.
Bad Deals Plague Transit Agencies Across America
Compounding the pain caused by decreased funding from local and national sources, transit agencies across the country are haunted by "toxic pre-recession bank deals" that have them paying exorbitant borrowing costs.
Extension Looms as Federal Transportation Talks Reach an Impasse
With the House/Senate Conference Committee under pressure to agree to a transportation reauthorization bill, House Speaker John Boehner indicated that if agreement can't be reached by June 31, a 6-month extension (rather than 3 months) is preferable.
Visiting America's Urban Farms
Morgan Clendaniel and the good folks at Co.Exist bring us an eyeful of the best examples of the country's new crop of urban farms from a new book by Sarah Rich.
Why Economic Analysis for Transportation Projects Makes Sense
As Congress haggles over a new transportation bill, a report out last week argues that all stakeholders would be better served if state and federal governments conducted rigorous economic analysis before spending money on transportation projects.
Doing it Anyway: How Nonprofits are Tackling the Challenge of Scattered-Site Rentals
Scattered-site rental management is something nonprofits have long found to be a challenge. But there are ways of pulling it off, and those who have done it tell Shelterforce how, and why it’s worth it.
The Tragedy of America's Woeful Infrastructure Spending
In light of dismal jobs reports and a lending environment in which the U.S. is "paying better rates than when George Washington was running unopposed for the presidency," Jordan Weissmann rants about the country's lack of infrastructure spending.
What Are America's Smartest Cities?
Who says playing games can’t make you smart? A recent study by Lumos Labs evaluated users’ game scores across the country to determine which metropolitan areas in the U.S. are the smartest.
Will the GSA Scandal Harm Design Professionals?
After being rocked by a scandal over extravagant spending, Tom Stoelker wonders whether the General Services Administration (GSA) and their hallmark initiatives, such as the Design Excellence Program, will suffer in the political fallout.
America's Most Endangered Historic Places Identified
Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation unveiled its annual list of the eleven most endangered places in America.
Rise in Home Rentals Is Transforming a Neighborhood Near You
Julie Schmit explores what the "unprecedented" growth in the single-family home rental market means for home builders, school districts, and the consumer economy.
Is Transportation Deregulation the Key to Improving Our Cities and Economies?
Diana Lind argues that transportation regulations needlessly stifle competition that could "benefit our intertwined problems of high prices, congestion and slow service."
States Take the Lead in Implementing Driving Fees
With D.C. abandoning its leadership position in funding road infrastructure improvements, states such as Oregon and Minnesota are going forward with pilot plans to transition to road usage fees.
Double Decline Dooms Municipal Finances
A new report explains why the double whopper of declining property tax revenue and state aid to local governments is causing the worst municipal fiscal crisis in a generation, and may not get better any time soon, explains Nate Berg.
Is Traffic Congestion Really a Bad Thing?
No one wants to be stuck in traffic. But next time you find yourself pounding the steering wheel out of frustration just think about Eric Dumbaugh's findings regarding the connection between congestion and economic productivity.
How Smartphones Are Upending the Value of Real Estate
It used to be that visibility was the most important factor in siting a business. This may no longer be the case, argues Kevin Klinkenberg, as smartphones make location irrelevant.
Little Libraries Are Having a Big Impact
Public libraries across America are threatened by reduced staffing, resources, and hours due to budget cuts. However, "little libraries" are popping up in communities across the country as urbanists seek to redefine public space and librarianship.
Friday Funny: Bike Fever Spreads
If you need any additional indication that bike fever is sweeping North America, check out this video of Norman pedaling through some finely manicured suburban streets. Norman, by the way, is a dog.
Class is (Most Likely) Destiny in the United States
Richard Florida reports on why America ranks second to last among first world nations for economic mobility; the Northeast remains the most mobile region of the country.
Is Local Governance Being Eroded By States?
Anecdotes about states usurping the power of cities to tax, spend, and regulate abound. But does the sum of these anecdotes add up to a systematic shift away from local governance? A new study attempts to answer this question, reports Eric Jaffe.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
