Big things are expected from planners in Northern Virginia this year.
Michelle Krocker examines three big planning efforts underway in Northern Virginia for 2016. According to Krocker, all three plans—in Old Town North in Alexandria, Reston Town Center, and Arlington's Lee Highway—"are happening within the framework of last year's local election campaigns, with lagging economies, rising housing costs, growing poverty in the suburbs, and the question of where our jobs will sleep at night."
The three plans, with lots more detail and analysis provided in the article:
- The Old Town North Small Area Plan in Alexandria will update a plan approved in 1992.
- The Lee Highway Briefing Book "will examine existing conditions and policies that affect the corridor between Rosslyn and East Falls Church" to help guide future redevelopment in the area.
- The redevelopment of Reston Town Center North in Fairfaz will create "eight block parcels with a grid of streets and a mix of uses…"
FULL STORY: Three big urban planning efforts that will transform Northern Virginia

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

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
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The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
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With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
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In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City
If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
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