• Six-point visual check for a better downtown

    When looking at façades, six questions asked together can point you toward new buildings that increase downtown vibrancy.
    Our downtowns are seeing more and more podium buildings (4 over 1’s, 5 over 1’s, pedestal buildings). Given building codes, the demand for housing, and financing it is easy to see why. The problem with a vast majority of what we are seeing is that the buildings are needlessly underperforming. They...Read more

  • Redeveloping faith sites into affordable housing

    The redevelopment of sites owned by faith-based organizations (FBO) is among the decade's biggest urban redevelopment challenges. Some arise from a nationwide wave of church closings—others represent land owned by congregations that could serve a larger community purpose and generate revenue. The...Read more

  • Make America walkable again

    A political diatribe accuses new urbanists of limiting liberty and imposing an exclusive vision on America. With support among liberals and conservatives, New Urbanism uses common sense to increase freedom for all and make communities healthier.
    The Federalist , a conservative online magazine, recently published what can only be described as a political diatribe against New Urbanism . The authors, a Florida couple Jonathan and Paige Bronitsky, rant about new urbanists’ “fanatical hatred of the automobile” and about its adherents’ supposed...Read more

  • Health and planning for quality of life

    In addition to heavy smoking and drinking, lack of social connections and physical activity are primary factors in dying sooner. The latter two deficits can be addressed by community planning focusing on quality of life and walkability.
    “Quality of life” is an elusive concept that people want in their communities but is often undervalued by planners because it is difficult to measure. However, there are clear ways that planners can boost quality of life, adding years to people’s lives and improving happiness, argues Todd Litman of...Read more