Recent work by the American Planning Association’s professional institute’s Community Planning Assistance Teams program examined the case study provided by growth management challenges in and around the city of Helena, Montana.
"A volunteer planning assistance team from the American Planning Association has provided Lewis & Clark County and the City of Helena with nine recommendations for addressing the region’s growth and development activities," according to an American Planning Association press release announcing the study.
"The team’s recommendations are covered in their final report Helena Urban Standards Boundary Workshop: Engage, Facilitate & Plan [pdf]. The recommendations are connected to the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and county on development issues, and the effort to develop standards for the area within the Urban Standards Boundary (USB)."
Recommendations focus on the potential of a collaborative planning process to align the growth strategies of the city and the country. The USB, which was designated by the city of Helena, provides a roadmap for annexation of county properties into the city. According to the report, however, the USB "[lacks] a plan to guide the annexation processes and development methods to promote a new pattern of compact development."

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie