At a seminar on "Re-working Suburbia" in San Leandro, California, urban designers and planners strategized for ways to upgrade Bay Area suburbs to attract millennials.
Rod Stevens, a business consultant, spoke at the event, saying that current economic trends do not bode well for the suburban model, which benefited from being cheaper in comparison with city housing options.
"Stevens emphasized that many suburbs 'have to come up with new advantages.' Because of changes in the economy, many suburbs will have to evolve into places that accommodate more interaction. 'It's all about activity and people crossing paths,' he said, noting that in 'value-added industry,' much of the value is added through judgment and discussion. These 'high volumes of interaction' are something that was not common in the 'rather faceless' suburbs built in the mid-20th century.
Thanks to Renee Brutvan
FULL STORY: Californians ponder how to remake aging suburbs

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.

Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
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.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions