It's been 500 years since Thomas More penned his classic Utopia. With the benefit of hindsight, Los Angeles area planner, Jodie Sackett, reviews some of the key ingredients More believed necessary for a utopian society.
Multiple mid-sized cities, equally spaced about a days walk apart, with a population of about 5.5 million distributed over an island of a size halfway between Ireland and Cuba—these were some of the characteristics of Thomas More's Utopia. Los Angeles County planner Jodie Sacket takes a look back at some of More's ideas with a modern eye. 2016 marked the 500th anniversary of More's Utopia, and while some of his concepts were, well, utopian, Utopia is an historically significant work of which planners should have some knowledge, at least for context and background, and understanding the evolution of planning theory; or as noted by Sackett:
"As urbanists, city-thinkers and city-dwellers, do we look at cities in the same way today? It’s a worthy thought."
For Sackett's full review, please visit the source article.
FULL STORY: What makes a Utopia? – a review of Thomas More’s classic on its 500th anniversary

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions