A new proposal reimagines the primarily industrial and office-oriented area to a ‘15-minute city.’

Local leaders in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) are proposing zoning changes that would make the area more mixed-use and boost density in the economically fertile but sprawling region, writes Mary Helen Moore in a story for The News & Observer.
According to Research Triangle Foundation CEO and president Scott Levitan, “the development model for RTP has not really kept up with the way innovation communities around our country and around the world have evolved,” with 20 percent of the area covered by surface parking lots.
Now, the foundation is developing a vision modeled on the ’15-minute city’ concept that would bring a wider variety of businesses and homes to the area and make it easier for residents, workers, and visitors to get around.
RTP straddles two counties, Durham and Wake, and is specially zoned for low-density campuses. “Levitan said they aim to ask both counties for a new overlay for the park by the end of 2024, giving private land owners considerable options for future development.” The proposed overlay would include three new ‘place types:’ enhanced corporate campus, residential neighborhoods with amenities like grocery stores, and mixed-use density nodes. Additionally, “Because landowners in RTP are governed by private covenants, the RTP Planning Board could require environmentally sustainable design or affordable housing, which the state of North Carolina preempts local governments from doing.”
Park leaders are also interested in mirroring Durham’s ‘social district,’ which allows people to walk around with alcoholic beverages in a designated commercial area.
FULL STORY: A 15-minute-city? Leaders propose rezoning all of RTP and adding a drinking district (North Carolina)

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