Downtowns & Main Streets

This series of articles and postings looks at a key concern of local planners: finding ways of strengthening our communities’ downtown and main street districts.

The Secrets of Successful Communities

Read ULI analyst Ed McMahon's seven part series.

Basics of Putting Together a Comprehensive Plan

Take a look at this excellent series of articles by Jim Segedy & Lisa Hollingsworth-Segedy.

Planner & Commissioner

Our 5-part series on the relationship between staff planners and planning board members.

An Introduction to Form-Based Codes

Joel Russell & Mary Madden of the Form-Based Codes Institute cover the basics of this new approach to zoning.

Building Your Local Economy

Planner Gwendolyn Hallsmith offers a progressive take on planning for local economic development in this five-part series starting with Coping With Economic Meltdown.

Also, take a look at our extended reprints from economic development planner Della Rucker's excellent book, The Local Economy Revolution.

Pro-Forma 101 – Getting Familiar With a Basic Tool of Real Estate Analysis

Ever wonder how a pro-forma is put together & what it is used for? This four-part article provides an easy to understand introduction.