The Sacramento Area Council of Governments put the finishing touches on the 2016 update to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (2016 MTP/SCS) last week.
"A new transportation plan adopted by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments on Thursday envisions a big change in the way the region grows," reports Ben van der Meer. "Over the next 20 years, the plan projects a greater emphasis on urban infill and less on suburban growth."
That "greater emphasis" comes with a caveat from SACOG CEO Mike McKeever, who told van der Meer that "master-planned greenfield development will still predominate. But perhaps not by much." The plan does, however, make room for 30,000 new residential units in the region's core, as well as an emphasis on walkable development in outlying towns like Winters, Roseville, Colfax, and more.
The article's focus on housing reflects the transportation plan's concern with an anticipated 800,000 new residents expected over the next 20 years. The 2016 update to the Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (2016 MTP/SCS), as it's officially known, anticipates $35 billion in transportation expenditures over that same period.
FULL STORY: Why Sacramento-area planners are betting money on the infill trend
Oakland Drafts First Revision of General Plan Since 1998
The public has until April 23 to comment on the sweeping plan that addresses land use, transportation, and infrastructure.
San Diego Regional Transportation Plan Shifts Away From Big Projects to Focus on Improving Existing Infrastructure
SANDAG’s 2025 Regional Plan scales down plans for new rail lines in favor of expanding rapid bus service.
Colorado Could Reject Highway Expansion in Favor of Climate-Friendly Planning
A proposed transportation strategy could shift the state’s focus away from driving and toward incentivizing public transit use, walking, and biking.
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
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
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
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
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