Plans to develop eastern Long Island as a thriving tech hub with "bustling downtowns and new apartments for young families" are facing a messy obstacle, the absence of "a basic element of a modern civilization: sewers."
Will James reports on the conundrum facing one of the nation's largest suburban counties, as it tries to build more self-contained communities. "Suffolk is home to 1.5 million people and part of the nation's biggest
metropolitan area, but sewers reach less than one-third of its residents," as result of its relatively slow history of development and lack of density.
"Suffolk's health regulations, like those in most counties, limit how
much waste a parcel of land can take," notes James. "So development in many
neighborhoods is stalled until the county can find some way to finance
and build new sewage treatment plants and vast collection systems, which
can cost tens of millions or dollars or more."
"Some Suffolk residents, though, see sewers as a sign of urbanization,
and a harbinger of more strip malls, McMansions and unwanted population
density," observes James.
"'They've got a lot of work to do to convince the populace that this
is their saving grace,' said MaryAnn Johnston, a civic leader in the
Town of Brookhaven. 'It may be a saving grace for a small segment of the
population: the developers.'"
Read the full story: Suffolk Sewer Shortage
Population Flight in New York Metro Region and Decline in New York State
New data from the U.S. Census and Empire Center shows that for the first time in a decade, the Empire State lost population. Furthermore, last year only two upstate counties had more residents arrive from other states than leave.
Long Island Searching for Direction
Although it hosts some of the nation’s first and most successful auto suburbs, Long Island has experienced a downturn. This infographic-focused piece delves into the reasons why.
Lessons in Planning from the Future Long Island
Andy Freleng recently answered a series of questions about life on Long Island, and its future, from his perspective as chief planner of Suffolk County.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember
Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms
The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority