Open space advocates laud Massachusetts governor's efforts to protect public parks from development.
The Romney administration announced that it would "veto any bill requesting the conversion of parkland for other uses, unless an exhaustive state review has been conducted. That review requires cities and towns to show there is no other place to build a school or other facility but on parkland, and also mandates that any lost open space be replaced elsewhere within municipal borders....Particularly in municipalities that are tight on space, portions of parks have been carved up and used for water and sewer lines, police and fire stations, roads, housing, cemeteries, and schools.From now on, cities and towns must make an extra effort to explore alternatives, such as rehabilitating an existing school in a central location, before getting the governor's approval for building a new school in a park...."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Governor seeks to curb building on public parkland
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Research: Walkability Linked to Improved Public Health
A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.
Report Outlines Strategies for Resilient Wildfire Recovery in LA
Project Recovery offers a roadmap for rebuilding more sustainable and climate-resilient communities after wildfires and other disasters.
New Executive Order Renews Attack on Public Lands
An order issued late last week pushes for increased mineral extraction on federally owned public lands.
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.
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