There's a rare opportunity to rebuild the Gulf Coast region in such a way that it will succeed on all levels -- but the right plans have to be in place before building begins.
"Many of those whose homes and businesses were destroyed are anxious to rebuild exactly what they had before the storms, and resume their former lifestyles. But what of those less fortunate, whose pre-hurricane lives were a hand-to-mouth existence in squalid housing, with few of the benefits that many low-to-moderate income Americans are able to enjoy? Should the same ghettos be rebuilt, consigning their inhabitants to the same neglect as before? Or is there a better way to rebuild humane environments, with good access to jobs and health care, and to schools that are as good as those in more affluent neighborhoods? Who should decide what and where to rebuild?
These are questions that require careful study by experts in sociology, planning, architecture, education, health care and transportation, but only after the experts have a dialogue with the people whose lives will be affected. Is there a process that can allow all of this to happen?"
FULL STORY: Let's all imagine a new and very livable Gulf Coast

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

US Senate Reverses California EV Mandate
The state planned to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, a goal some carmakers deemed impossible to meet.

Trump Cuts Decimate Mapping Agency
The National Geodetic Survey maintains and updates critical spatial reference systems used extensively in both the public and private sectors.

Washington Passes First US ‘Shared Streets’ Law
Cities will be allowed to lower speed limits to 10 miles per hour and prioritize pedestrians on certain streets.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions