Urban Growth Boundaries
One of the most remarkable aspects of Oregon planning law is the “urban growth boundary” (UGB). A look at how it works.
Regional Perspectives
Local land use decisions can have impact outside a jurisdiction’s own boundaries. County and regional planning commissions are also vital in seeing that cities, towns, and villages work together to solve shared planning problems.
Most Recent Articles
Wow! That’s Quite a Cut
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.
The Secrets of Successful Communities – Part 5: Cooperate With Neighbors for Mutual Benefit
Successful communities know that today’s world requires cooperation for mutual benefit. They understand that very few small towns have the resources, by themselves, to attract tourists or to compete with larger communities.
Brookings Study Underscores Need for Regional Approaches to Dealing With Suburban Poverty
A recently published Brookings Institute study, Confronting Suburban Poverty in America, reports that poverty in suburban America grew by a startling 64 percent over the past decade (to 16.4 million people).
SLW-ability Yields Stronger Local Economies
During the AMPO (Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations) conference the past two days, the three words I think I heard most often were Sustainability; Livability; and Walkability. What’s more all three of these were often tied in to another phrase: economic competitiveness.
Understanding Regional Retail Development
Retail development has major impacts on communities and regions. Planners can stay ahead of the curve by understanding the regional retail market and helping shape where retail will best fit.
Think Regionally, Act Locally
Your job as a planning commissioner is to address your community’s future, but the decisions you make can have wider impacts.
Considering the Regional Impacts of Local Actions
Do we have an ethical responsibility to take into account the regional impacts of local land use decisions?
J is for Justice
The Supreme Court decision of the 20th century that had the greatest impact on planned community development was the 1926 Euclid v. Ambler ruling. It opened the door for communities across the country to engage in zoning and use it as the primary tool for plan implementation.
R is for Regional Planning
Planning historian Laurence C. Gerckens, FAICP, takes a look at the history of regional planning in America — from Governor James Oglethorpe’s 1733 plan for Savannah, Georgia to the issues of Circular A-95 in 1969.
S is for Sustainable Development
The benefits of sustainability have re-echoed during our nation’s history. Oftentimes, however, sustainability has been overshadowed by countervailing forces, including large-scale manufacturing and mass production of goods, and a heavy dependence on non-renewable resources.
Corridors Through Our Communities
From the old riverboat world of the Mississippi to the crowded arterials of today’s cities and towns, transportation corridors have played a critical role in American life. Hannah Twaddell explains why planning for our corridors makes sense.
Back to School for Planners
Decisions about school construction and renovation have profound implications for towns, cities, and counties nationwide. A look at trends & opportunities, impacts schools have, and the positive role planners and planning commissioners can play.
