New Ruralism is about rural communities finding new and sustainable approaches to create economic opportunities, provide livable-wage jobs, improve access to local foods, and offer better aging-in-place options.
The predominant definition of New Ruralism is based on the role of rural areas as suppliers of food to urbanites. But, Northern New England planners believe that rural communities provide much more than food. Rural planning projects offer valuable and replicable lessons about sustainability and growth for towns and cities of all sizes.
Success stories from New England abound, and Lynne Seeley of the Maine Association of Planners digs into examples from Maine, including:
- The Lubec Community Outreach Center, which is connecting youth with healthy local food options.
- Port Clyde Fish Catch, a pioneer in CSAs for the fishing industry that is setting an example for sustainable fisheries and coastal communities.
- Downeast Lakes Land Trust, a leader in conservation and recreation planning.
As rural communities work to meet the needs of their residents, they demonstrate leadership with creative approaches to modern challenges.
Read the full story: Have You Heard of “New Ruralism”?
Op-Ed: Habitat III Should Consider Food Systems
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
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Brightline West’s future may rely on $6 billion federal loan
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FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association