Governments concerned about sound urban planning need to pay more attention to the role played by anchor public institutions, such as public libraries, in invigorating local economies, writes urban strategist and former Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray.
"[L]ittle thought goes into planning the location of customer-generating, public-sector facilities and what impact it has on the economy and culture of the community. Often, it seems a location is chosen simply because of the availability of 'free' provincial land that had no other useful purpose.
Provincial governments hold legislative authority to undo a generation of bad urban policy.
Their solutions have involved everything from master plans to growth strategies and massive infrastructure programs. The beginnings of a solution may be simpler â€" and no further than your local library.
Ontario spends only $28 million a year on public libraries. If the province increased that significantly and decided its role was to fund the construction and repair of libraries, it could significantly contribute to the rebuilding of local economies and the restoration of culturally significant places.
Public institutions like the Post Office, the library, and the liquor store have been gathering places in communities for generations. Strategically used to leverage economic renewal, they not only restore a street but begin to rebuild a community's tax base."
FULL STORY: Citizens: Take back Main Street
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie