The disconnect I see is that your interests in work seem to be about the public good which in most places is not an area where there is direct money.

The people making money using HN are ones seeking it. Usually at the expense of other goals. At least in terms of directness of achieving those goals.

My suggestion would be to shift focus a bit and try to find money areas of public planning where money is being spent badly or where it can’t be spent currently.

What is a problem for public planners they’re willing to spend to solve and how can you use that to advance your own goals in public planning?