Articles and posts that include a focus on issues facing suburbs, new and old.
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Troy, Michigan, is a spread out, auto-oriented suburb northwest of downtown Detroit. You’ll find many elements typical of the suburbs that boomed in the 1970s and ’80s. But Troy has felt the impact of the sharp decline of the automotive industry. A look at how Troy’s planners have responded.
How the public library has become the community hub for the town of Hudson, Ohio — and the key to a strong downtown and main street..
Sprawl is not just a modern phenomenon. In a sense, American sprawl began with the horse drawn omnibus of the 1830s, which permitted the more well-to-do to escape to more country-like surroundings. But the nature of American sprawl changed radically with coming of the inexpensive automobile in the 1920s.
PCJ columnist Kennedy Smith highlights the importance of building character and individuality into new town centers.
A growing number of suburban cities and towns are seeking to create a hub for their community. Journalist Philip Langdon takes a look at some of the challenges.
Designating areas where essential services, particularly sewer service, can be used is one of the opportunities local planners have to direct growth to locations that reinforce community goals. Kate Lampton explores how her town developed a sewer allocation ordinance.
A dramatic shift in the design and layout of new developments has begun to take hold in cities across North America. Called new urbanism, this movement draws on older patterns of development. Planning reporter Philip Langdon provides an introduction to new urbanism.
Sprawl is causing some of the costliest problems America faces. But, argues Edward McMahon, several myths have made it more difficult for us to come to grips with sprawl.
Encouraging mixed-use centers is one way of reducing suburban dependence on the automobile. How existing underutilized shopping areas can be converted into such centers, providing a mix of commercial, office, and residential uses, as well as improved pedestrian and transit access.
