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.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
How Project Connect Would Change ‘The Drag’
A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.
Milwaukee Road to Get Complete Streets Upgrades
The city will reduce vehicle lanes and build a protected multi-use trail including bioswales and other water retention features on its ‘secret highway.’
Tackling Soil Contamination With Nature-Based Solutions
Los Angeles County residents and experts are turning to nature-based methods like bioremediation to address long-standing and fire-exacerbated soil contamination without resorting to costly and disruptive removal.
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
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