• Embrace your local Opportunity Zones

    Even if you are cynical about about how big money will affect low-income communities, the smart move for municipalities and urbanists is to make the most of this big-impact program.
    Many urbanists have skepticism—even cynicism— about Opportunity Zones (OZs). This new federal initiative that was part of the 2017 tax law is still gearing up, but most agree that it will have a big impact on cities. “Given the significant interest among investors, it is possible that this new...Read more

  • How many Opportunity Zones have smart growth potential?

    Opportunity Zones offer significant smart growth potential if investors can find the opportunities, but a new report is of limited use, especially when it comes to smaller cities and incremental development.
    Only about two percent of Opportunity Zones (OZs) have high “smart growth potential,” according to a new report from LOCUS—a development coalition that is part of Smart Growth America. That sounds like bad news, but I am far less pessimistic than the National Opportunity Zones Ranking Report —I...Read more

  • Opportunity for urbanists to help cities and towns

    Opportunity Zones, a massive new nationwide community development program, will benefit from the work of urban planning thought leaders.
    Urbanists should pay close attention to the recently created Opportunity Zones, which the Rockefeller Foundation says "have the potential to become the largest community development program in our nation’s history." Governing magazine says they represent a "breakthrough approach to community...Read more

  • New urban revival in flyover country

    Two journalists travel America in a Cirrus plane, reporting on public-private partnerships, "walkable manufacturing," and what makes second-tier cities succeed.
    Successful small-to-mid-sized cities cities have revitalized downtowns, brewpubs, and big plans, according to James and Deborah Fallows, authors of Our Towns: A 100,000-mile Journey into the Heart of America. . They add a tongue-in-cheek rule: “The mark of a successful city is having a river walk,...Read more