Case Studies

How does comprehensive community development actually get done?

What's involved and how long does it take? How do politics, funding, and local rivalries factor in?

The case studies in this section, written by professional journalists and experienced practitioners, will take you inside the neighborhoods and tell the story of progress as well as problems.

If you know a story that should be featured, let us know by clicking the Send us your news link at the top of each page.

A coalition you never thought you’d see: John McCarron, Jan 30, 2012; When it comes to the housing crisis, leafy suburbs are sharing the pain with gritty urban communities. Maybe they should start sharing the solutions, too.
Big ideas sparked by the housing crisis: Carl Vogel, Jan 30, 2012; A six-city discussion of housing, regional development and urban neighborhoods expanded into a wider conversation.
High Tech for Small Firms: Carl Vogel, Jan 23, 2012; A new Online Resource Center is a quick and easy way to get some tips about how to get the most from the Internet for your local businesses.
Talking about Tamaqua: Loreal Mallett, Jan 23, 2012; A Q&A with Micah Gursky about how comprehensive community initiatives have changed the trajectory of his small hometown in rural eastern Pennsylvania.
Implement, implement, implement! — the German perspective: By Wolfgang C. Goede, Jan 17, 2012; In September 2011, Munich celebrated a premiere. For the first time ever, the techniques of comprehensive community development were presented in Europe.