Howard Blackson's words of advice for San Diego's new administration are applicable wherever it is you call home. Neighborhoods first!
Blackson shares his thoughts on how to realize Mayor Bob Filner's "Neighborhood's First" mandate, which has broad application in other cities:
"San Diego’s new Mayor, Bob Filner, was elected on a 'Neighborhoods First' campaign, as it was apparent that downtown and a select group of out-of-town developers had the past administration’s undivided attention. Today, the older, hip, cool, streetcar neighborhoods are experiencing development pressure for new shops and housing. A progressive democrat in a historically republican town, our Mayor has a clear mandate to transform our neighborhoods from their current fear-of-change state to real placemaking possibilities … in conformance with local community character, of course."
Formerly a University of Texas football player, Blackson can't resist laying out his 7 points in the form of a touchdown (written on Super Bowl Sunday) to make neighborhoods come first:
- The Vision Thing
- Coordinate Neighborhood Regulations
- Optional Overlay Zoning
- Decision Districts
- 21st Century Innovations
- PlaceShaking
- Political Will
"As expected, politics continue to be the biggest place-changer. The above points are only plausible with a genuine understanding that our city must maintain the political wherewithal to be competitive for talented minds — who can just as easily choose Denver, Dallas, Portland or Seattle. Unfortunately, as an urban designer I can do little but watch from the stands upon local politicians who will hopefully rise to the level of election year rhetoric and follow through with their best efforts. Building political will is a full-time job. Thank goodness mine is urban design."
FULL STORY: Neighborhoods First (and Goal)

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont