Community Development
30 articles
How Do Local Zoning Boards Influence Community Development?
At 9:30 a.m. every other Tuesday, Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal convenes, a routine meeting where decisions are made that quietly shape the city's future, often with unseen consequences. These local
How Local Tourism Boards Preserve Historical Landmarks
A single guidebook from the Texas Historical Commission offers communities a step-by-step blueprint to transform local history into a thriving economic engine, generating new jobs and tax dollars.
State-Backed Revitalization Initiatives: Definition and Outcomes
In North Branch, Michigan, a $2.
What Are Local Historic Districts and Why Do They Matter?
In Baltimore, the average current value of houses in local historic districts is over twice the average value in the rest of the city, according to Baltimore City data .
Maryland's Greenspace Equity Program deadline looms for underserved areas.
Maryland's FY 2027 budget allocates $7 million to the Greenspace Equity Program, yet communities most in need risk missing the January 14, 2026 application deadline.
What Factors Shape Neighborhood Character and Preservation?
In Quebec's Saint-Roch area, urban renewal strategies were directly shaped by a neighborhood-identity assessment, demonstrating a proactive approach to preserving local character.
Local Business Boosts May Cost $8,000 Per Job, Leaving Equity Behind.
In a surprising 4-3 vote, a county commission recently suspended a local business incentive program, halting a strategy that prioritized corporate tax breaks over community equity.
Nashville Mayor Launches Programs to Boost Local Small Businesses
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell just announced three new incentive programs for small businesses, including a 'Legacy Business Program' that could funnel over $300,000 into long-standing local estab
How Does NYC's Neighborhood Rezoning Process Impact Residents in 2026?
Zoning regulations, the invisible lines shaping our cities, have historically been used to increase housing costs and reinforce patterns of segregation, according to PMC .
How Zoning Laws Influence Local Property Values in 2026
In communities with stringent zoning, a greater share of residents are higher-income and non-Hispanic white.
What Is Community Engagement Driving Neighborhood Revitalization in 2026?
In qualitative interviews, 100 percent of participants involved in neighborhood revitalization efforts cited resident engagement as the critical factor for facilitating community benefit, capacity, or
Chapel Hill Secures $3 Million for Affordable Housing and Sidewalks
While Chapel Hill recently secured $3 million in federal funding for affordable housing and sidewalk improvements, other cities like Flint have seen millions in similar grants delayed by local council
What are the benefits of supporting local businesses for community resilience?
During the pandemic, the sudden collapse of global supply chains left countless communities facing empty store shelves and economic instability, a stark reminder of their inherent fragility.
The Role of Community Associations in Neighborhood Governance
Nearly 70% of newly built homes listed in 2024 came with mandatory homeowner association obligations, making community associations the default for modern residential living, according to...
Best Places to Live: Insights from 2026 Rankings
Dublin, California, a city many might not immediately recognize, just earned the No.
What Is the Role of CDCs in Neighborhood Revitalization and Growth?
Community Development Corporations (CDCs) produced approximately 736,000 housing units between 1960 and 1990, a significant effort to improve urban living conditions.
Non-Profit Expansion: Overcoming Challenges for Sustainable Growth
Esperanza San Felipe, a non-profit that successfully demobilized all four street gangs in one Panama City neighborhood and reintegrated 70% of its graduates into work or business, was shut down in 202
What Is Public Art and Why Does It Transform Communities?
In Apex, North Carolina, Sally Myers' 'Blackbird Circle' sculpture didn't just win a local award; it became a cherished focal point for community pride.
How do funding sources for local community initiatives work in 2026?
Even with billions in federal and state funding earmarked for local initiatives, many communities struggle to access these vital resources.
5 Premium HOA / Community Roofing Services From Slade Roofing in Idaho
For Homeowner Association (HOA) board members and property managers in Idaho, selecting a roofing contractor is a high-stakes decision that impacts community budgets, resident satisfaction, and long-term property values.…
What is missing middle housing and why does it matter for affordability?
In Washington state, a single cottage court can achieve densities of up to 21 units per acre, even with one-story homes.
What Are Food Deserts and Why Do They Matter for Health and Economy?
In the United States, average life expectancy at birth is nearly five years lower in low-income communities with limited access to healthy food compared to high-income areas with abundant access.
How to Establish and Maintain a Local Business Improvement District
Establishing and maintaining a Business Improvement District (BID) is a strategic approach to revitalize urban commercial corridors and boost local businesses.
What is the role of neighborhood associations in 2026 community development?
Neighborhood residents, organized through local associations, wield significant power.
Mixed-Use Developments Transform Urban Planning and Housing Markets
In a 4-1 vote, the Escambia County Planning Board approved a request to designate an entire OLF-8 site as mixed-use urban, signaling a decisive shift in local planning.
What Are Zoning Laws and How Do They Impact Community Development?
In Los Angeles, a 20% inclusionary zoning requirement could slash the number of new housing units built by over 150,000 in a decade, from an estimated 400,000 to below 250,000.
Walkable Neighborhoods Boom Amidst Mixed-Use Zoning Shifts
Utah's Vineyard area exploded from 150 residents in 2012 to 23,000, a testament to the rapid appeal of new urban developments.
What Are Zoning Laws and How Do They Affect Property Values?
Each decade of exclusionary zoning is associated with an average increase in monthly median rent of $24-27 in impoverished neighborhoods, according to Eviction Lab .
What Are Historic Preservation Districts and Why Do They Matter for Tourism?
In Florida, historic preservation generates an estimated $4.
What Factors Shape Neighborhood Identity and Character?
The number of U.S. census tracts showing signs of gentrification skyrocketed from just 246 in the 1970s to 1,807 by the 2010s, according to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) . This