• The state of the art of suburban retrofit

    Two retrofit experts have a new book that is an essential reference for transforming suburban landscapes.
    Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Strategies for Urgent Challenges , the latest book in a series by June Williamson and Ellen Dunham-Jones, is about creating real value from underutilized places. The volume focuses on automobile-oriented, conventional suburbs, which comprise about...Read more

  • The Pandemic Toolkit

    A manual for rebuilding community health and opportunity in the post-COVID world.
    Faced with budget shortfalls, growing to-do lists for routine tasks delayed by the emergency, and general uncertainty about a “new normal,” how might governments address the uncertainty and respond effectively to COVID challenges? Answering that question is the goal of Placemakers' Pandemic Toolkit...Read more

  • The Princeton roots of New Urbanism

    The New Urbanism grew out of an open-minded educational environment, where students were encouraged to read and think for themselves rather than follow a particular design approach.
    An interesting piece in the Princeton Alumni Weekly outlines educational roots of New Urbanism founders and early leaders, and it turns out that Princeton University played a significant role. Four of the six architectural founders (Peter Katz, a nonarchitect who was the first Executive Director of...Read more

  • AARP, CNU team up on zoning reform report

    Ten changes are recommended to improve Main Street streetscapes.
    AARP, a nonprofit representing the interests of the 50-plus age group that claims 38 million members , published a new report on zoning reform to create more walkable communities. Enabling Better Places: A Handbook for Improved Neighborhoods , was cowritten with CNU. The report promotes incremental...Read more