On the tail of a recent announcement that Washington D.C. would decommission up to two dozen public schools, columnist Roger K. Lewis suggests that the closings can be a good thing, and that they open the door for adaptive reuse.
"Last week Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and D.C. School Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee proposed closing two dozen D.C. public schools because of declining enrollments and to free up resources. Fenty and Rhee took heat from D.C. Council members, who felt insufficiently consulted, and from residents who questioned the need to close schools in their neighborhoods."
"Shutting down underused schools makes economic and academic sense, but the heat might have been less intense if the mayor and chancellor had suggested how each property could be redeveloped to benefit its community and the District as a whole."
"In fact, decommissioning such schools offers neighborhoods great revitalization opportunities."
"Depending on location and accessibility, school properties can be transformed to meet a variety of needs: affordable housing, retail, office space, health-care facilities, day-care centers, community recreation and parks. Of course, charter schools can join the mix."
FULL STORY: When Schools Close, Doors Open to Opportunities for Revitalization
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
