Alex Pearlstein

<p>With Houston's housing market on the rise as once-hot U.S. markets head south, some economists argue the city's lax development controls allow housing supply to keep up with demand.</p>

<p>With Metro Atlanta mired in gridlock, a report by the regional planning agency detailed hundreds of transportation projects that were delayed or dropped entirely in 2006.</p>

<p>Created nine months ago as the latest -- and perhaps last -- tool to develop regional transit in Metro Atlanta, the Transit Planning Board now struggles to even make a quorum.</p>

<p>Faced with low unemployment rates and worker shortages in certain high-skill sectors, Irish companies are increasingly looking to other countries - especially the U.S. - for employees.</p>

<p>The long-dormant downtown in this central Texas city is poised for revitalization designed to take advantage of nearby Baylor University and other assets. New Urbanist designs are generating hope and excitement.</p>