Brookhaven, New York received a 43-page Design Guideline document from their consultants. The city asked to have it all boiled down to one sheet, front and back.
The consultant, ADL III Architecture of Northport, New York, managed to squeeze all the necessary information onto the one sheet using visuals over text. Diane Mazarakis, the town's principal planner, says that's all you really need:
"The two-page document is "very clear," Mazarakis says. "A picture tells a thousand words. Graphics are able to get across the intent of the district far better than the verbiage was able to." As the town develops design guidelines for other areas, they will ask for a similar abbreviated document, she says."
Read the full story: Brevity is the soul of Brookhaven design guidelines
Balancing Aesthetics and Affordability
Policies too narrowly focused on design can drive up the cost of construction and prevent the development of affordable housing.
How Zoning Reform Can Help Businesses Transition to Outdoor Operations
A trend toward allowing restaurants and retailers to expand operations to the public realm outside their brick and mortar confines is quickly gaining steam.
Outdoor Dining Over Cars—Could it Happen in the United States?
Could New York City follow in the footsteps of...Vilnius?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand
For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.
NYC cools commuters with city's first rain garden above a bus stop
New York City officials say the plants in the rain garden can absorb 16 gallons of rainwater during heavy storms.
Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan
The company has until Nov. 2 to make a $400 million equity investment into its proposed high-speed rail line.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association