Craig Robins, "a developer, a connoisseur, a collector" whose "ideas have infused neighborhoods with new life, given young architects their start, [and] brought art to the sometimes-unsuspecting public," was presented with Cooper Hewitt's National Design Patron Award last month. We champion Robins' selection, as does the Miami Herald: "We… more

Even in a globalized / flat / spikey / you-name-it world, place still matters. The New York Times says that investors in Silicon Valley - a great contributor of globe-shrinking technologies - are more willing to invest in firms next door than those halfway around the world: "Fiber networks… more

The old but still popular narrative about how the decline of the American auto industry has affected Detroit and the surrounding area doesn't tell the whole story. Business Week describes how Motown is becoming Boomtown as a result of Asian car manufacturers building and staffing design centers in areas… more

Worries about the recent signs of a bust in the once booming housing market might be overly generalized, says Business Week. Their analysis shows that, "Over the past three decades about 40% of housing busts in big metro areas have eventually been followed by strong recoveries." What factors explain… more

Business Week writes that in the past few months American biotech companies have become increasingly vocal in their criticism of American graduate schools for not "stressing what students require in the real world." E. Dale Sevier, a director of teh California State University Program for Education & Research in… more

Families who left cities seeking good schools in the suburbs are increasingly frustrated and disappointed, the New York Times reports. Promises of small class sizes, abundant resources, and excellent teachers having gone unfulfilled, according to parents, in even the best schools in suburban Westchester, New York, many families now… more

Starbucks is going from one-size-fits-all interiors to designs in new stores that "reflect the community," accrding to Launi Skinner, Starbucks SVP for store development, in a Wall Street Journal article.

New stores generally use one of three palettes: rich woods that evoke old coffeehouses, a sleek modern treatment with… more

Energy prices are up. Healthcare costs are up. But wages are standing still.

The Financial Times reports that between 2000 and 2005, the U.S. economy grew by 12 percent in real terms and productivity, measured by output per hour worked in the business sector, rose 17 percent. But median hourly… more

The Magic of Music, a 10-year, $13 million research and experimentation initiative of the Knight Foundation, challenged most of the salvation strategies tried by symphonies. The final report says neither free concerts nor nontraditional venues nor casual dress has worked to draw new paying audiences into the concert hall.… more

The Wall Street Journal showcased the revival of Cleveland's University Circle with $2 billion of eds, meds and cultural investments underway and another $1 billion in the planning stage. The hope is to create a "world-class destination with its own brand identity." The key to success, according to Chris Ronayne,… more

Even while acting surprised, national media can't help but be excited about the resurgence of cities across America. Places that were once written off are now thriving. This past weekend's installment in the "cities are back" story trend comes from The Washington Post, and features Pittsburgh. Post writer Christine… more