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
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
Car-Centric LA Suburb Looks to a Train-Oriented Future
City leaders in Rancho Cucamonga, the future western terminus of the Brightline West rail line to Las Vegas, want to reimagine the city as a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly community.
New Alaska Bitcoin Mine Would Burn as Much Energy as the State’s Largest Coal Plant
Fueled by “stranded” natural gas, the startup hopes to become the largest in the US, and to make Alaska an industry center.
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.
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)