Wisconsin provides a case study in the varied methods for defining rural, and why that matters. "Rural is not simple to define, perhaps because the real question is rural for what purpose?"

"It's a matter of conventional wisdom in Wisconsin and across the U.S. that rural places are socially and culturally different from urban and suburban areas," writes Malia Jones. "But it's helpful to examine how rurality is officially defined to explore its many dimensions."
Jones notes that demographers and social geographers use several methods to identify areas as rural, and demographers define rural areas as anything that "not urban." With Wisconsin offering examples to illustrate her points, Jones walks through the definitions used by the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The state of Wisconsin also employs metrics that complicate the task of defining what is and what is not rural.
FULL STORY: Putting Rural Wisconsin On The Map

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.
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