Memphis hopes its coordinated action plan on blight can be a model for cities nationwide.
In May, community institutions in Memphis will host a two-day intensive "academy" on strategies to reduce blight for housing and code enforcement officials from around the country. The summit will share progress made since city leaders and organizations adopted a Blight Elimination Charter—the first in the nation—in 2016.
"At least 9,500 single-family houses, 4,500 apartment units, and thousands of vacant lots in the city are blighted," writes Urban Institute fellow Joseph Schilling in How Housing Matters. The city's action plan centers on bringing these properties up to code, and is organized around four basic principles: data and information, community partnerships, code enforcement, and a "reclamation, reuse, and revitalization" approach.
One product of the plan to date is the Memphis Property Hub, an inventory of blighted properties in the city that includes data from multiple public sources on the properties' location, ownership, and economic impact. In 2015, Memphis launched a program that offers credits to residents for maintaining vacant properties, which can be applied to their purchase.
FULL STORY: Memphis Expands Its Coordinated Campaign Against Blight
Memphis Vehicle Fee Would Help Fund Transit
The proposed fee on households with multiple vehicles would generate $9 million to improve the region’s transit system.
Multi-Car Owners May Pay Sustainability Fee to Fund Memphis Area Transit
Called a 'sustainability fee' by Mayor Lee Harris of Shelby County, the proposed fee would apply only to households that have three or more registered vehicles, about 17 percent of county residents. The first two vehicles would be exempt.
Memphis Tells Residents: If You Mow It You Can Own It
Residents who put in the effort of maintaining vacant property will have their hard work rewarded and will be offered the opportunity to purchase the property.
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.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.
Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont