An influx of residential and creative commercial space is transforming Downtown New Orleans. According to a technical assistance panel by the Urban Land Institute Louisiana, the trends represent a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve open space.
Katherine Sayre reports on an Urban Land Institute Louisiana technical assistance panel for the Downtown Development District in New Orleans. Among the panel's recommendations: "The Downtown Development District should consider taking control of parks and pedestrian areas within its territory by contracting with the city and explore dog parks, playgrounds, plazas and other open urban spaces for future development…"
"Among other suggestions, the panel recommended dog parks or skate parks under elevated freeways, small pockets of green space known as 'parklets,' courtyards, extended sidewalks and pedestrian friendly plazas, such as rejuvenating the Lafayette Street mall or the underused Duncan Plaza."
Sayre also mentions a number of other funding, policy, and zoning tools recommended by the panel to help improve the public realm in Downtown New Orleans.
The Atlanta Beltline—20 Years Later
The scope of the Atlanta Beltline's effect on the city has astounded most observers, including the person who came up with the idea first.
Improving Beach Access and Environmental Protection in Galveston
The city of Galveston has more to do to live up to its own standards in accessing and protecting the gulf coast.
A Blueprint For Making Cities Efficient, Sustainable And Livable
Nicolai Ouroussoff, architecture critic for The New York Times, argues that the time is right for a new vision of rebirth for America's ailing cities. He applies this new vision to the challenges of New Orleans, Los Angeles, the Bronx, and Buffalo.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie