Does planning possess the power to address the issues people care about? Kate Henderson, with the UK's Town and Country Planning Association, discusses the results of a year-long study into how planning can help tackle poverty and exclusion.
"A year-long research project studied four communities and found strong evidence that planning could play a much more positive role by better integrating with sectors such as regeneration and health and reconnecting with issues that matter to local people," writes Henderson. But structural and professional obstacles have blunted the social impact of planning in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
"There is an absence of a clear urban policy for England which deals with the multiple problems faced by many communities," she notes. "Part of the solution must be including planning within social policy more widely and understanding how planning can be tailored for communities struggling with issues such as social exclusion."
FULL STORY: How town planning can help to eradicate poverty

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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