An advocacy group is republishing the 1974 regional plan for sustainability, and finding that it's just as relevant now as it was then.
Almost 35 years ago, two MIT professors conducted a study on the city of San Diego, eventually releasing an analysis and long-range plan titled "Temporary Paradise?" Today, the group Citizens Coordinate for Century 3 plans to re-release it with additional essays from academics and planners—including Bruce Applewood, the son of one of the original authors.
Recently, Applewood spoke to Bisnow about how the plan is "as relevant today as it was when it came out."
While most planning exercises are either driven by highly local interests or disciplinary silos (such as our regional transportation plans), this document is unique in that it provides a comprehensive regional vision showing how everything is connected through an environmental quality and urban design lens.
According to Roger Showley of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the new edition was originally supposed to come out during the 2016 presidential elections, but the current administration's "priorities on border security, immigration and other issues make the document’s viewpoint even more timely."
FULL STORY: How A 1970s Plan For San Diego Sustainability Still Has Relevance
Book Review: Combining Sustainability and Smart Growth
A review of The Sustainable Urban Design Handbook, by architects Nico Larco and Kaarin Knudson.
Designing Cooler Cities: Lessons from Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Rome had ways to counter the urban heat island effect. As climate change raises global temperatures, can urban planners and designers apply any of those lessons to cities today?
Did the Pandemic Spur Radical Urban Change?
The Covid era highlighted social inequities and prompted new paradigms for urbanism and mobility. Will they stick around?
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.
Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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