Maine planners are finding new ways to use aerial photos and drone technology to improve transportation and environmental planning.
Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) is experimenting with drones to create videos and images that offer new perspectives on local assets.
Drones—also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)—have been used for the following and more:
- Road corridor fly-overs
- Traffic flow and behavior analysis
- Creating aerial basemaps (orthoimages)
- Generating 3D visualizations
- Promotional videos for communities
The Maine Association of Planners highlights projects for each of these uses, offering illustrative videos and images.
FULL STORY: The View from Above: How Drones Are Adding a New Perspective in Planning

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?

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie