Potpourri Archives - PlannersWeb

Editor's Notes & Interviews

They Were Part of Our Community

by PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville

OK, I’ll admit it — this post doesn’t have much to do with city planning (at least directly). But it’s graduation time — and one tradition I and many other Burlington residents have is to walk over to the University of Vermont and watch the pomp of the commencement ceremony. This year we were also treated to a remarkable commencement address by jazz great Wynton Marsalis.

Bright Ideas

What Are MOOCs and Why Should They Matter to Planners and Commissioners?

by Stuart Andreason

How would you like to take a course at a top-notch university, with some outstanding planning professors, for free? Now, you can do just that through a “MOOC.” Stuart Andreason explains.

Editor's Notes & Interviews

The Art of Ross Racine

by PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville

“My images of aerial views are totally fictional, although in the beginning I used aerial photographs as references for the overall appearance of the landscape. … What occurs in my pictures could be emblematic for society as a whole.”

Editor's Notes & Interviews

Bridging the Digital Divide … in Our Libraries

by PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville

Planners are increasingly relying on the web and online tools to gather public input. But there are concerns about the “digital divide” and whether all segments of the community can participate. A look at how public libraries are helping reduce the digital divide.

Worth a Look: Discussion on LinkedIn of Della Rucker’s Last PlannersWeb Column

Note from PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville:

I want to encourage you to check out our PlannersWeb group page on Linkedin. Right now, there’s a lively discussion of Della Rucker’s most recent PlannersWeb column. You’ll find some quite interesting insights — and Della also responds to several of the comments.

Editor's Notes & Interviews

“Reshaping Suburbia” Conference this June

We’ll be reporting from the International Making Cities Livable (IMCL) Conference in Portland from June 23rd to 27th. The focus of the Conference is on reshaping suburbs, a topic we’ve covered in the past — and will continue to report on. We hope to meet some of you in Portland this coming June! (click on heading above for details)

Editor's Notes & Interviews

Keeping the Economy Afloat

PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville, reporting from Bath, Maine

The small city of Bath, Maine, calls itself the “City of Ships.” We’ll see why in this report about Bath and its giant employer, the Bath Iron Works.

PCJ Articles

Reinventing Your Community From the Inside Out – Part I

by Jim Segedy, FAICP, and Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy, AICP

Too often cities have scrambled to attract new businesses … from anywhere. But a different approach has started to take hold: growing from the inside out. This involves planting local economic seeds and nurturing them to be the new garden of opportunity.

Editor's Notes & Interviews

Swinging through Topsham

PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville, reporting from Topsham, Maine (Oct. 5, 2012)

Ten of us piled into a mini-van for a tour of Topsham, Maine (population about 9,100) — Brunswick’s suburb to the north. Stops included the historic Bowdoin Mill; a remarkable active-adult housing development; and the famous John A. Roebling-designed Swinging Bridge across the Androscoggin River.

Editor's Notes & Interviews

Taking a Hit … and Bouncing Back

PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville, reporting from Brunswick, Maine (Oct. 4, 2012)

In 2005, the Brunswick (Maine) Naval Air Station was designated for closure — one of more than 350 military installations ordered closed between 1989 and 2005. A look at progress on redevelopment plans for this sprawling, 3300 acre facility.

Editor's Notes & Interviews

Building a New Downtown – Part I

As someone who lives in a university town, I can tell you it’s not every day that the university’s and town’s perspectives on a key issue are closely aligned. But that’s the case in Storrs, Connecticut, where the University of Connecticut (UConn) and the Town of Mansfield both agree that what they really want an need is a new downtown center. A look at the development of Storrs Center.

Editor's Notes & Interviews

City Planning News Update: Your Daily Online Newspaper

Keep up with planning news by following City Planning News Update — our daily feed of individuals and organizations who post the most useful planning-related news and commentary online. It’s set out in any easy-to-ready, newspaper style format.