John Kaliski outlines the 'democratic' challenge to urban design by community planning.
"...Citizen experts rather than planners or designers are firmly in charge of the evolution and design of the city. Most critically, these circumstances are typical of the state of infrastructure planning in the United States, and they challenge planners, architects, landscape architects and, last and least, urban designers, to reassess their roles with regard to the planning, design, and production of contemporary urbanism.
...In this environment, the planning discourses of everyday life and professional plans for the form of the metropolis gradually become one. 'Everyday' people are asked to consume and form opinions about everything from large-scale infrastructural decisions to tot lot beautification."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Democracy Takes Command

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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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie