Giving Regionalism A Chance

A non-profit group is trying to convince Nashville-area cities and counties to engage in regional planning and cooperation to halt the region's fast-expanding sprawl.

1 minute read

November 28, 2007, 10:00 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"Local officials and planning experts believe they can help Middle Tennessee communities save themselves from the mistakes that have hurt sprawling Sun Belt cities from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

Cumberland Region Tomorrow, a nonprofit group that tries to encourage planned growth, has launched a barnstorming tour of Nashville-area cities and counties to urge leaders to put aside decades of competition for tax revenues, jobs and subdivisions and instead work together to make the most of population growth.

Middle Tennessee communities have reached the limits of what they can do alone, these advocates say. Water is running low in some local communities, while the level of traffic is rising. Cumberland Region Tomorrow and its backers believe they can fight these ills and others by appealing to communities' self interests.

The effort to promote more regional planning carries risks. An effort that is too weak could create intractable problems that will take decades to correct...But a regional planning effort that is too aggressive might drive off the development entirely."

Tuesday, November 27, 2007 in The Tennessean

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

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop

When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

March 17, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up on 45 mph speed limit sign with part of Golden Gate Bridge visible in background, San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras

The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.

7 hours ago - KQED

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from the northwest on a sunny day with scattered clouds.

Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants

The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.

March 25 - MyNewsLA.com

White CTA bus and elevated train against sunset sky in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis

Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.

March 25 - Mass Transit