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.
"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."
FULL STORY: For now, regionalism is little but talk

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

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.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont