Northeast Ohio's largest regional planning effort in a generation recommends infill development, transit expansion, and land conservation as the essential elements for ensuring the area's future success.
"If Northeast Ohio did three things that sound simple – but are in fact really hard - it could limit sprawl, safeguard natural resources and blaze a path to a smarter, greener and more economically robust future," reports Steven Litt. "That’s the thrust of the latest iteration of “Vibrant NEO 2040,” a long-term vision for the region prepared by the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium, the biggest regional planning effort in decades in this part of the world."
A robust outreach effort has found that area residents want to limit sprawl and protect the quality of the region's air and water.
"The sustainability group – a voluntary consortium of cities, counties, planning agencies, universities, foundations and cultural institutions has no power to impose its concepts beyond that of persuasion," notes Litt. "But the sustainability group is hoping that its ideas take root in the region through long-term policies of metropolitan planning organizations, such as the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, which oversees federal spending on transportation in the Cleveland area."
How Can Northeast Ohio Grow Smarter?
The 'biggest regional planning effort in a generation' is providing residents of twelve Northeast Ohio counties with an opportunity to discuss how the area can leverage its existing infrastructure rather than continuing to sprawl.
As the State Abandons Public Transit, Is a Regional Solution Possible for Northeast Ohio?
Many states cover around 20 percent of the costs of public transit. In Ohio, that figure has dropped to 1 percent.
Calls for a Regional Transit System in Northeast Ohio
The Cleveland Plain Dealer lays out the complicated path toward a regional transit system similar to Chicago's in the Cleveland area. The call for reform comes as existing transit is cutting service and raising fares.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
Fair Housing Cannot Take a Back Seat to ‘Build, Baby, Build’
If we overlook fair housing principles in the plan to build US housing back better, we risk ending up right back where we started.
LA Metro Board Approves New 710 Freeway Plan
The newest plan for the 710 corridor claims it will not displace any residents.
Austin’s Proposed EV Charging Rules Regulate Station Locations, Size
City planners say the new rules would ensure an efficient distribution of charging infrastructure across the city and prevent an overconcentration in residential areas.
Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient
A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
