• Broat to you by public policy

    Sprawl: Brought to you by public policy

    For those who are not land-use planning and development geeks, it may seem like communities are built by market forces or just happen randomly. But most development in America is shaped by zoning codes, other land-development regulations, and finance rules. For the last six decades, these rules...Read more

  • Look sharp: An urban adventure

    Monday Morning in Savannah
    On Sunday night, I am informed that the Mayor of Savannah and several councilmen would be attending tomorrow's luncheon at which I will speak. In the morning, I feel some pressure to look more presentable. After a google search and a few phone calls, I conclude that the only barbershop that opens...Read more

  • Band-Aid or coffin?

    Speed of automobiles is a critical factor in determining whether a street feels safe and comfortable for people outside of motor vehicles. This graphic illustrates why, in symbols that bring home the point very clearly. People on the street, in the public realm, sense intuitively that vehicles...Read more

  • Form-based code with step-backs

    Architect Laurence Qamar recently created a series of step-back proposals for the Woodstock Corridor In Portland, Oregon, illustrated above. "Instead of the boxy, ungainly 'space invaders' that have bedeviled other parts of the city, Qamar’s step-back code would assure that buildings step down to...Read more