Community / Economic Development
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
$2 trillion in economic growth may hide in ‘micropolitan communities’
Small cities hold 39% of America’s population, but receive only 10% of U.S. venture capital investment.
Planned $2 billion courthouse in MA sparks tension with local government
Springfield owns an essential piece of the land developers intend to build on, and some city officials do not want to see the project come to fruition.
A much-needed revamp of the best way to approach design
Book review: “Designing the Complex City: A Systemic Approach to Spatial Design” translates complex theory into actionable tools for planners, architects and more.
Raised interest rates may kill financially vulnerable construction projects
The chief economist at ConstructConnect warns that if construction project owners are negatively impacted by the raised rates, it could result in delayed payments to contractors.
Why city hall doesn't know your music venue is a music venue (and why that matters)
Data shows that cultural venues have long lacked proper classification — which is why so many fall through the cracks.
The building wears Prada: Fifth Avenue designers raise the bar on sidewalk sheds
New York City fashion houses are getting creative with scaffolding.
A masterful, human-centered defense of rent control
Book Review: "Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land" offers a human look at how rent control is more than just numbers and data in a spreadsheet.
Is this the first wave of de-gentrification?
Valencia, Temescal, H Street and the fickle fortunes of the gentrified neighborhood.
Can California's office buildings accommodate its return-to-office mandate?
Gov. Newsom's return-to-office mandate impacts roughly 109,000 state workers.
NYC to open city-funded pet food pantry
The 2027 budget agreed on by the mayor and city council includes $750,000 for a city-funded food pantry for struggling pet owners.
America faces a 'fun shortage'
The United States has lost nearly a third of its bowling alleys and a fifth of its movie theaters since 2001.
Denver mayor pushes for cheap downtown parking, says promoting transit is 'not our strategy'
The 'Mayor's Park $5' program encourages local businesses to reduce their parking prices to bring more people downtown.
Tech investors lobby to bypass environmental review for 'California Forever' project
The backers of a proposed new community in the California Bay Area want the state to approve an 18-year-old environmental review that would let them go ahead with a major shipyard project.
In the 1990s, Kansas City's Womontown offered queer women community and independence
A group of women created a safe space that gave them the opportunity to buy homes and build wealth in a supportive community.
Obama Center opens nation's first presidential playground
The 21,000-square-foot play space is the first of its kind to be attached to a presidential library.
Planning for Love, Part 1: The link between urban form and dating
A brief exploration of dating through history highlights how the spaces in which we live and move shape our social lives and relationships.
Tensions flare over bike lane in Mexico City red light district
A new bikeway separates cars from the sidewalk, posing a problem for workers who typically engage in curbside negotiations with clients.
10 great urban planning summer reads
Wherever you're going (or staying) this summer, here are some suggestions for books to bring along.
The nation's 10 'stickiest' downtowns
How often do residents visit your downtown?
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
