An Urban Planner in Butte, Montana

An exposé of a local urban planner isn't something you see every day—especially in Montana. Meet Julia Crain, of Butte, Montana.

1 minute read

October 30, 2018, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Rocky Mountains

Jontmh / Shutterstock

An article by Mike Smith for the Montana Standard puts a spotlight on the career if Julia Crain, an urban planner in the city of Butte, Montana.

Crain's career began like many professional planners do: with an unexpected turn toward urban planning in graduate school, which she attended at Portland State University. Now Crain has been working for the Butte-Silver Bow Planning Department since 2011.

"She’s worked on zoning issues, helped enhance open spaces such as the Big Butte, and handled programming aspects of Butte’s Superfund process through the Natural Resource Damage Program and other avenues," writes Smith.

There's nothing ironic or insincere about this coverage of an urban planner in Montana. From beginning to end, this is a story that's about a person who is deeply passionate about her community. 

Monday, October 29, 2018 in Montana Standard

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Close-up of green ULEZ sign in London, UK.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution

Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

March 10, 2025 - Smart Cities World

Park pond at sunset with Los Angeles skyline in background.

Expanding Green Spaces in Greater LA: Challenges and Solutions

Creating parks and open space in L.A. County requires overcoming land scarcity, high costs, and other challenges through strategic partnerships, innovative multi-benefit designs, and policy reforms to ensure equitable access and sustainability.

31 minutes ago - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Woman looking up through binoculars at birds in tree.

Embracing Spring: Ways to Reconnect With Nature and Find Joy

This spring, reconnect with nature and enhance your well-being through simple activities like observing plants up close, practicing forest bathing, birdwatching, arranging flowers, and starting a container garden.

1 hour ago - NPR

Burned car and home in Los Angeles after 2019 wildfire.

The Unseen Aftermath: Wildfires’ Lasting Health and Emotional Burden

Wildfires in Los Angeles not only pose immediate physical health risks but also lead to long-term respiratory problems and mental health struggles, underscoring the need for a coordinated public health response to mitigate their lasting effects.

March 16 - UCLA Health

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.