• Is HOD the next TOD?

    Hospital-oriented development, with parallels to transit-oriented development, should be the next big thing.
    Compact, mixed-use, walkable communities have been revolutionizing the land use and real estate development paradigm in the Unites States over the past 30-years. Transit-oriented development, innovation districts, university town centers, main street retail, “healthy communities,” and revitalized...Read more

  • Where are building types needed in land-use codes?

    Regulation of building types helps to provide predictability and clearly articulate the intended outcomes in many kinds of walkable neighborhoods, but they are not helpful everywhere.
    As I wrote in May , building types are important in land-use regulations for many reasons. Now, let’s explore where they are needed. This post focuses on where building types are most effective, where they could be helpful but aren’t necessary, and where they are not necessary and should not be...Read more

  • A Tactical Urbanism guide for pandemic voting

    Streets for Voting is a useful tool for communities across the US struggling with new requirements for polling sites in a crucial election.
    Whatever happens on November 3, we can be assured of big presidential election turnout. How do officials deal with lines at polling places that demand social distancing and protection of workers and voters during a pandemic? Local governments and elected officials should consult Streets for Voting...Read more

  • Investing in a city health district during the pandemic

    Memphis, Tennessee, shows the benefits of having community investment and social infrastructure, supported by philanthropy and institutions, in place during a pandemic.
    During Covid-19, the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) has worked to keep local businesses afloat while pursuing its long-term goals of revitalization of an underserved community. The collaborative’s 2020 activities have included a Small Business Emergency Assistant Fund, streetscape...Read more