Will Sarasota Pass The Duany Test?

Six years ago Andres Duany helped craft a new 20 year masterplan for the City of Sarasota, Florida, which prides itself on being a city with a small town feel. This week he returns to gauge the city's progress.

1 minute read

January 10, 2007, 8:00 AM PST

By Mike Lydon


"In an attempt to make Sarasota a more walkable city connected to its bayfront, city commissioners turned to one of the leaders in the New Urbanism movement --- Andres Duany. Duany, an urban planner and co-founder of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co., headquartered in Miami, creates urban redevelopment plans that promote mixed-use downtowns and discourages suburban sprawl.

Since his company was formed in 1980, Duany has developed plans for cities across the country, including Baton Rouge, La.; Naples; Peoria, Ill.; and Providence, R.I.

Six years after city commissioners approved his master plan for Sarasota, Duany is returning to rate the city's success in implementing the vision.

'I'm anxious to see what Mr. Duany thinks of our progress and what we still need to work on,' said John Burg, chief planner for Sarasota's Planning and Development Department. 'I think we've made significant progress, but it is a 20-year plan, so we are far from completed.'"

Friday, January 5, 2007 in Bradenton Herald

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

7 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

4 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

5 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

6 hours ago - Next City