An op-ed column for The Buffalo News explains the thinking behind Buffalo's new Green Code—especially its benefits for walking, bicycling, and public transit.
Daniel Baldwin Hess writes the special column for the The Buffalo News. After explaining some of the local context and national precedents that have informed Buffalo's new Green Code, Hess provides this final flourish to describe the potential impact of the plan:
"After years of stagnant growth and languishing development, Buffalo is now at the cusp of leading American cities in reinventing how citizens and residents interact with urban space and the relationship between economic development and urban vibrancy. These potential changes are significant and analogous to the decisions made in Portland, Ore., in the 1970s that ushered in a new model of regional governance, setting the stage for urban growth and envied by urbanists from around the world."
"When the Green Code is adopted, Buffalo could topple Portland from its long-seated throne as the 'best' planned city, and may help Buffalo regain its glory days as a hotbed for civic engagement, walkable and connected neighborhoods, and urban vibrancy."
FULL STORY: Going green: Pedestrian accessibility enhances urban vitality in Buffalo
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Dallas Surburb Bans New Airbnbs
Plano’s city council banned all new permits for short-term rentals as concerns about their impacts on housing costs grow.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
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.