While U.S. rural communities gained in population overall, the growth came largely in the South.
A new Pennsylvania state commission seeks to address population loss and aging in rural communities. According to an article by Will Wright in Daily Yonder, “Several counties are expected to lose more than 10% of their population by 2050, according to a report from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. Statewide, the Center reported that rural counties face a 5.8% decline over the next 25 years.”
The issue raises concerns, as rural residents over 65 could soon outnumber people under 20, leading to a strain on social resources and infrastructure. “The implications range from workforce shortages to declining property tax revenue, complications in caring for aging residents and more.”
The new Rural Population Revitalization Commission will create a toolkit to help communities address the issues brought on by population loss and bring in new residents. “Part of what the commission can help with is teaching rural places how to market themselves and show young people why they should consider moving there,” according to Kyle Kopko, the executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.
Read the full story: New State-Level Commission out of Pennsylvania Hones in on Rural Population Decline
How Georgia’s Drop in Per Capita Income Presaged Its Rural Demographic Collapse
Before a collapse in Georgia’s rural counties population, a decade of drops in per capita income lay the foundation for future trouble.
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority