A closer marriage between planning and landscape architecture would mean strong connections between the processes of policy making and place making.

"Landscape architects need to become urban planners and work 'upstream' in the policy and regulatory process to ensure public space leads urban placemaking efforts."
Ian Dillon writes the above statement to report a message presented by a group of landscape architects at the ASLA 2019 Conference, recently held in Washington, D.C.
According to one of the panelists, Michael Grove, the current disconnect between the two fields has resulted from a historic decoupling of place making and policy making—now landscape architects excel at the former and planners at the latter. "Landscape architects can lead and participate in urban policy-making through 'upstream urbanism,' while prioritizing public spaces as the dominant placemaking strategy in cities," writes Dillon to explain Grove's point.
FULL STORY: Landscape Architects Must Become Planners

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)