Albert Lea, Minnesota proves that small towns can reinvent themselves—often faster than big cities—and that walkable communities aren't only possible in urban neighborhoods.

Jay Walljasper profiles Albert Lea, Minnesota, "a town of 18,000 where people are working to prove that healthy lifestyles like walking and good nutrition are not just big-city things."
Albert Lea is not a college town or a resort town. According to Ellen Keher, a local resident and former city councilmember quoted in the article, "we’re an ag-based rural city promoting healthy living because it’s the right thing to do and it’s how we want to live and want our children to live…"
The article details the town's efforts, which date back to 2009 when it "adopted a community-wide approach to wellness laid out in 'Blues Zones,' a best-selling book by National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner that examines places around the world where people live longest and healthiest."
The results of the efforts speak for themselves: walking has increased 70 percent in the last five years, smoking has dropped by 4 percent, and the community has lost a collective four tons of weight.
The article also details how the community achieved the outcomes, including organized walking groups, walkability improvements to downtown infrastructure, safe routes improvements near schools and senior centers, and a bikeway connecting a state park and the community's downtown.
FULL STORY: Albert Lea shows how walking and other healthy habits can rejuvenate a rural community

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.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions