A 21st Century Planning Case Study: Buffalo, New York

Frederick Law Olmsted called Buffalo the best planned city in the United States, but in the second half of the 20th century it transitioned into a prototypical "Rust Belt" city.

2 minute read

June 2, 2020, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Downtown Buffalo

jiawangkun / Shutterstock

Aaron Gordon visited Buffalo in the time before the pandemic to evaluate the city's history as a paragon of 19th century planning, and to explore its potential future at the forefront of what it hopes will be a "mobility revolution."

Aaron Gordon visited Buffalo in the time before the pandemic to evaluate the city's history as a paragon of 19th century planning, and to explore its potential future at the forefront of what it hopes will be a "mobility revolution." The article centers around the work of Stantec and the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) to help Buffalo achieve its planning goals, in the process overcoming a history of ambitions "big on aspirations and light on specifics."

"Buffalo is not trying to get with the Hyperloop craze or build the next Maglev train," writes Gordon. "It’s trying to find out if these technologies—stuff which operates on American roads right now like autonomous vehicles and electric scooters—can actually provide real solutions to real people while supporting pleasant neighborhoods where people actually want to live."

While the Stantec and CNU team only worked in Buffalo for a few days, Gordon documented an intense planning process for a city that was once the center of an American renaissance in urbanism, and is now challenged by population and economic decline. Because of the city's "good bones," it can appear like urban planning catnip, according to Gordon, for those looking for ways to transition Rust Belt cities into a new era of prosperity. The history of Buffalo, as presented, serves as a microcosm for the history of planning in the United States.

Thursday, May 21, 2020 in Vice

stack of books

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

Close-up of 'Red Line Subway Entry' sign with Braille below and train logo above text in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side

The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.

November 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

Diagram of visibility at urban intersection.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives

Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

November 27, 2023 - Strong Towns

People walking on paved path in green city park with trees and tall city skyscrapers in background.

Green Spaces Benefit Neighborhoods—When Residents can Reach Them

A study comparing green space and walkability scores found that, without effective access to local parks, residents of greener neighborhoods don’t reap the health benefits.

December 3 - American Heart Association News

Aerial view of Eugene, Oregon at dusk with mountains in background.

Eugene Ends Parking Minimums

In a move that complies with a state law aimed at reducing transportation emissions, Eugene amended its parking rules to eliminate minimum requirements and set maximum parking lot sizes.

December 3 - NBC 16

White, blue, and red Chicago transit bus at an urban bus station with shelter.

Chicago Announces ‘Better Streets for Buses’ Plan

The plan establishes a ‘toolkit’ of improvements to make the bus riding experience more reliable, comfortable, and accessible.

December 3 - City of Chicago

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

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.