A small suburban community along the Gulf Coast is learning to embrace New Urbanism and create its first ever town center.
In a typically conservative and car friendly region of the country, some are beginning to see the benefits of creating more livable communities, falling in love with the idea of being within walking distance of community amenities.
Flowood, a suburb of Jackson, Mississippi, and a small low-density community made up of strip malls and single family homes has grown up without a downtown. This is all about to change at the hands of 'New Urbanism' and Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Co. The New Urbanist design plans for a 140-acre, $325 million town center.
A week-long planning charrette was held by the firm and hosted local residents and officials. The project will include a new city hall, live/work space, an elementary school and more. Residents and community officials hope this project will provide a much needed heart and sense of community for Flowood.
Thanks to Brad Satterwhite
FULL STORY: The Clarion-Ledger

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.

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.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units
Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.
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