Working to preserve natural areas and a healthy environment is a key concern for most planning commissions.
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Hoboken is a compact blue-collar city of 50,000 people, packed into just under 1.75 square miles directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan. But it faces a major threat shared by a growing number of coastal communities: sea-level rise.
“Permaculture” is a word you might have heard about in recent years. It’s a growing movement to plan and design by better taking into account natural systems and principles.
Hurricane Sandy has had a profound affect on the New York City metro area. A look at how planners in the region have begun to take steps to respond to the growing threat of sea level rise.
A look at some of the issues facing communities trying to protect water quality in North Carolina’s Triangle region — and some of the challenges they’re facing, as well as creative solutions being explored.
After spending ten days in Portland, Oregon, PlannersWeb Editor Wayne Senville reflects on nature in the city and the role of water. More reflections from Senville over the next few days.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Oregon planning law is the “urban growth boundary” (UGB). A look at how it works.
One of the Portland, Oregon, metro area’s most ambitious goals is to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Significant progress has already been made, but much more remains to be accomplished.
In the fourth installment of their series on low impact development, the Segedys provide an overview of ways communities can start to implement a LID program.
In the first two installments of this series, we presented basic information about what LID is and how it works. In this piece, we’ll show that LID isn’t simply a stormwater management technique, but a systems approach that provides multiple benefits addressing both public and private sector interests.
Low impact development techniques address precipitation first as a water resource. Many LID techniques focus on capturing stormwater for irrigation use on a site. This not only supports landscaping, but helps recharge groundwater. An overview of some basic LID practices.
This is the first of a series of articles in which Lisa and Jim will explain the basics of low impact development: how it works, why your community may need it, how LID costs compare to conventional stormwater management, and the type of ordinances that have worked to implement LID in communities around the country.
Sustainability may be hard to define, but it’s increasingly being discussed by developers and local planning commissions. Observations from PCJ columnist Dave Stauffer.
Gaining a solid understanding of your community’s natural and built environment will lay the groundwork for more effective planning. A report from planner and PCJ contributing writer Wendy Grey.
