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
Ridership Down for Northern Virginia Public Transit
Metrorail has seen ridership improve in Northern Virginia, but not enough to balance out the losses to bus ridership.
Virginia's New 395 Express Lanes Guaranteed to Fund Public Transit
The $500 million, eight-mile extension, mostly paid by private funds and express lane tolls, broke ground August 9. Transurban, the private company in the public-private partnership, will pay $15 million annually for public transit improvements.
Northern Virginia Projects Counting on Transit
A proposed stadium and other major development projects near transit stations could be hampered by the regional transit agency’s financial woes.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
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.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)