O is for Open Space
From the planning and design of Central Park in New York City to George Kessler’s landmark 1893 plan for Kansas City, parks and open space have come to be an integral part of planning.
Parks/Open Space
From the development of Central Park in New York City to George Kessler's pioneering parks plan for Kansas at the end of the 19th century, parks and open space have played an increasingly importance role in planning. These articles deal with topics ranging from greenways to land conservation.
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Planning for Cemeteries
Over 2.5 million Americans are expected to die this year. Yet planners and planning commissions too often fail to give serious attention to cemetery needs. A look at the role of cemeteries in our communities, and issues that come up in planning for them.
21 Bright Ideas: Special Issue of the Planning Commissioners Journal
Our Winter and Spring 2006 issues featured 25 bright ideas on a wide range of topics — ranging from walkable neighborhoods to meeting workforce housing needs, from commissioners “on tour” to how art can transform a street.
Building a Sense of Community
How do we build a “sense of community”? That’s a question many planning commissioners ask. Long-time planner and Planning Comm’rs Journal columnist Greg Dale offers his thoughts
Planning for Dogs: Exercise vs. Restraint
Amy Souza reports on the often controversial issue of dog park siting, and the environmental and planning concerns frequently raised.
Purchase of Development Rights: Preserving Farmland and Open Space
An introduction to purchase of development rights (PDR) programs: how they work, what they can accomplish, and questions that often come up.
Improving the Subdivision Review Process
Too often planning commission and neighborhood involvement comes only after costly subdivision drawings have already been prepared. Randall Arendt on three key steps in shifting to a more proactive review process.
Creating Places that Work
Kathleen Madden of Project for Public Spaces discusses “placemaking” and the role of the community in creating vibrant public spaces.
Green Infrastructure
Your town, city, or county undoubtedly has an infrastructure plan dealing with water, sewer, roads, and utilities — the gray infrastructure. But has it planned as well for green infrastructure, such as trails, greenways, river corridors, and bike paths?
Growing Greener: Conservation Subdivision Design
Noted conservation planner Randall Arendt offers a framework for subdivision review that encourages the preservation of open space and natural areas, while enhancing the market value of development.
Putting Growth In Its Place With Transfer of Development Rights
Transfer of development rights offers communities a way of saving environmentally sensitive areas, farmlands, historic landmarks, and other important resources. A look at how TDR programs work, and what makes some more successful than others.
Green Enhances Growth
People care about trees, and not just because they’re pleasant to look at look and provide cooling shade. Trees also increase property values and can help boost a community’s economic development.
A Cry for Community
How the Project for Public Spaces works to reinvigorate neighborhoods and downtowns.
