Plans to develop eastern Long Island as a thriving tech hub with "bustling downtowns and new apartments for young families" are facing a messy obstacle, the absence of "a basic element of a modern civilization: sewers."
Will James reports on the conundrum facing one of the nation's largest suburban counties, as it tries to build more self-contained communities. "Suffolk is home to 1.5 million people and part of the nation's biggest
metropolitan area, but sewers reach less than one-third of its residents," as result of its relatively slow history of development and lack of density.
"Suffolk's health regulations, like those in most counties, limit how
much waste a parcel of land can take," notes James. "So development in many
neighborhoods is stalled until the county can find some way to finance
and build new sewage treatment plants and vast collection systems, which
can cost tens of millions or dollars or more."
"Some Suffolk residents, though, see sewers as a sign of urbanization,
and a harbinger of more strip malls, McMansions and unwanted population
density," observes James.
"'They've got a lot of work to do to convince the populace that this
is their saving grace,' said MaryAnn Johnston, a civic leader in the
Town of Brookhaven. 'It may be a saving grace for a small segment of the
population: the developers.'"
FULL STORY: Suffolk Sewer Shortage
Population Flight in New York Metro Region and Decline in New York State
New data from the U.S. Census and Empire Center shows that for the first time in a decade, the Empire State lost population. Furthermore, last year only two upstate counties had more residents arrive from other states than leave.
Long Island Searching for Direction
Although it hosts some of the nation’s first and most successful auto suburbs, Long Island has experienced a downturn. This infographic-focused piece delves into the reasons why.
Lessons in Planning from the Future Long Island
Andy Freleng recently answered a series of questions about life on Long Island, and its future, from his perspective as chief planner of Suffolk County.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.
Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions