“It’s Like Planning in a Big Doll House”
Bath, Maine, is just nine square miles in size, with a population a little under 9,000. But it has a thriving downtown and riverfront. A look at some of the ingredients that have made downtown Bath so strong.
Downtowns & Town Centers
Many cities and towns are seeking to revitalize or create a hub for their community. These articles and postings focus on the planning issues facing downtown & town center development.
Continue to older articles & posts — or return to newer ones — where you see the green buttons at the bottom of the page.
The Human Squirrels of Brunswick, Maine
Brunswick, Maine has a wonderful downtown. The sidewalks are perfect for strolling and window shopping. Downtown is just about ideal. Except for one thing: those human squirrels you see scurrying across Maine Street.
What Comes to Mind When You Think about Historic Preservation?
New PlannersWeb columnist Amy Facca says historic preservation provides one of the best ways to make the most of old buildings, maintain and build on community character and history, and invest responsibly for future growth.
What’s the Market Telling Us?
Ed McMahon, the Urban Land Institute’s Senior Fellow for Sustainable Development, provided a riveting talk focusing on changing trends in economic development, and how they are shaping our communities.
Building a New Downtown – Part II
In part II of this posting, we take a closer look at how the Town of Mansfield, Connecticut worked with UConn and and a private developer to move forward on its new downtown, Storrs Center. Including some tips from some of the project participants.
Building a New Downtown – Part I
It’s not every day that university and town perspectives on a key issue are closely aligned. But that’s the case in the small town of Storrs, Connecticut, where the University of Connecticut and the Town of Mansfield both agree that what they really want an need is a new downtown center.
We Don’t Let Planning Get in the Way: Pt. II
How did Blue Back Square get developed? West Hartford Community Services Director Rob Rowlson takes us on a tour of the development, and explains why the Town’s developer-friendly approach led to positive results.
We Don’t Let Planning Get in the Way: Pt. I
Rob Rowlson, the Town of West Hartford’s Director of Community Services, makes no bones about it: too often planning can be an obstacle to private investment and development. In Part I of this post, Rowlson talks about efforts to strengthen the core of the town’s downtown: West Hartford Center.
Turning Downtowns Around: Business Improvement Districts
Planner and contributing writer Beth Humstone looks at how business improvement districts work and what they’re doing to address today’s downtown challenges.
Give My Regards to Broadway
One of the most remarkable sights in New York City these days is the transformation of Broadway in the Times Square district from a traffic-jammed artery to a car-free zone, where pedestrians reign. What’s behind this change?
Please Be Seated!
We do it dozens of times a day. During nice weather, we often do it in the park. And we’re careful where we do it, often scouting out a location that seems just right for us to …. sit. But how much do planners and urban designers know about our backsides?
Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities
There’s been a dramatic change in the mission of a growing number of libraries across the country. No longer just static repositories of books and reference materials, libraries are increasingly serving as the hub of their communities, providing a broad range of services and activities.
A Main Street Succeeds in Tough Times
One small Michigan city is focusing its efforts on building a strong downtown. A look at some of the challenges and opportunities facing Niles, Michigan.
