Rural areas across America are trying to figure out how they can improve their economies but still maintain their rural qualities.
Neal Peirce writes that the challenges of the current economy and the need to lure business is threatening to erode the qualities that make places "rural".
"Rural America varies greatly, with towns and farms, mining communities, prairies, forests, rangelands covering thousands of square miles nationwide. But it's also the outer suburban edge communities, plus second home and retirement concentrations, not to mention 'gateway' communities near our coastlines and national parks.
But from all sorts of rural communities, states Matthew Dalbey, a chief author of the new report, questions have rolled in - 'We're different from big cities and suburbs; how can we put ‘smart growth' to work to stay rural, to preserve our quality of life, but still develop?'"
FULL STORY: How Do We Keep Rural America Rural?
More Evidence that Bay Area Housing Prices Are Hurting the Economy
Beacon Economics projects a slowdown in job growth in the San Francisco Bay Area due to the region's high housing costs.
The Importance of Rural Transit
On Transit Equity Day, reminding policymakers that rural communities need access to transit too.
Rural New York Explores Creative Housing Solutions
Rural communities and small cities are implementing affordable housing solutions at the local level, while the state budget prioritizes urban areas.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)