Utah governor Mike Levitt called on the state's Growth Commission to come up with incentives for developers and cities to embrace smart growth, and to form alliances with farmers to get those incentives through the Legislature.
Governor Levitt stated his support for incentives versus mandates, and made clear the need for increased affordable housing development in the state, saying, "We all go through the apartment phase of our lives." He also proposed teaming up with the state's farmers, "who also have an interest in stemming urban sprawl and saving open space." "Legislators created the Quality Growth Commission in 1999 when the nonprofit Envision Utah was promoting walkable, mixed-use developments and prescribing financial incentives for developers who build them. So far, the commission has not offered legislators an incentive package or detailed recommendations, except for a policy to sell off more public lands so towns have room to grow. The commission's main function has been to dole out grants for planning and preserving open space."
Thanks to Christian Peralta
FULL STORY: Leavitt: Perk Up Smart Growth

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions