Where Am I? The Power of Uniqueness
What’s the value of uniqueness and community identity? That’s the question ULI analyst — and long-time Planning Commissioners Journal columnist — Ed McMahon addresses in his dynamic 17-minute TED Talk.
Historic Preservation
Planners have increasingly come to recognize the importance of historic preservation to strong and vital communities.
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Most Recent Articles
Neighborhood Vibrancy: Older and Smaller Can Sometimes Be Better
Why is it that neighborhoods with older, smaller buildings often seem more vibrant than those with larger, newer ones? Ed McMahon explores this question, highlighting some recent research.
How Façade Improvement Programs Can Benefit Your Community
The revitalization of a neglected commercial district or residential neighborhood often begins with improvements to a single building or storefront. An overview of how façade improvement programs work.
Cultural Tourism in the Triangle – Part 2
Textiles mills once dominated the Haw River’s economy. But by the 1990s, most of the mills had closed and the mill towns struggled to survive. In recent years, mill structures have been rehabbed for a new generation of residents, and a wide variety of new uses.
Preservation Can Be Inspiring — This Month (and Every Month)
May is National Historic Preservation Month, a time when people across America celebrate their history, culture, and special places. Sponsored annually by the National Trust for Historic Preservation since 1973, it is designed to raise awareness about the power historic preservation has to protect and enhance our historic communities.
How Planners Plan for Historic Preservation
Preservation planner Amy Facca provides an overview of the different kinds of plans used to strengthen local historic preservation efforts.
What’s Your Community’s “John Hancock”?
Community planners and economic development professionals are increasingly identifying communities’ signature elements, including location specific historic and related sites, as well as businesses and institutions that are part of the “creative economy.”
“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.
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.
Anchoring a Neighborhood
Close to Hartford’s “seats of power” — state government; insurance companies; and Trinity College; you’ll find Frog Hollow, a predominantly Latino neighborhood. It has a mix of walk-up apartments, neighborhood restaurants, stores, churches, and social clubs. But anchoring it is an innovative mixed-use development called Billings Forge.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
We invited our readers to tell us about their home town, how their planning commission functions, and what they see as their major challenges. Brief reports from about seven quite different communities.
Cultural Asset Mapping
Gaining a solid understanding of your community’s natural and built environment will lay the groundwork for more effective planning.
Finding Your Economy’s Hidden Treasure
Discovering sometimes hidden community assets can lead to big economic benefits.
