A small community in tsunami-ravaged Japan considers a plan to move the entire village farther above sea level.
"The tsunami flattened Koizumi, a district of Kesennuma city, destroying 266 of its 518 households and damaging or flooding 42 more -- affecting 60 percent of the community's households. It also killed about 30 of its estimated 1,800 residents, including Haga's 87-year-old mother, and left survivors in a shelter in a local school or living with relatives. That led to them to contemplate something that would have been unthinkable three months ago.
Shortly after the disaster, Haga, a member of the district committee, and others in the evacuation center saw a news report about another community that wanted to stay together after the tsunami and was trying to relocate. That gave them the idea that the people of Koizumi could do the same."
They've already identified a site for the new village, and hope to push plans forward to enable everyone in the village to move.
FULL STORY: To survive, tsunami-hit community may flee the sea
Busting the 'Urban Exodus' Myth, Again
New numbers from the Census Bureau show that fewer Americans moved in 2020 than ever before, belying dire predictions about the death of cities and the hollowing out of urban neighborhoods.
U.S. Migration Reaches 72-Year Low
Staying in place is more and more the norm, even among historically mobile young people.
In Japanese Tsunami Zone, a Plan to Elevate Cities
The Yomiuri Shimbun reports on plans to elevate the ground level in urban areas that were inundated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, prior to rebuilding. One town will elevate its land by 17 meters (55 feet).
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
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.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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)