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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Your job as a planning commissioner is to address your community’s future, but the decisions you make can have wider impacts.
Do we have an ethical responsibility to take into account the regional impacts of local land use decisions?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.