Iowa
Everywhere, Signs of Demise for the Planning Status Quo
The plans, they are a-changin.
ADA Compliance Delayed in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is part of Project Civic Access, a federal initiative to make public facilities accessible. Making the changes necessary for compliance has been challenging for the city.
Trump Announcement Unites Big Oil and Environmentalists
President Trump announced at a campaign rally in Iowa that he would lift the ban on summertime sales of a 15 percent blend of ethanol, expected to increase smog levels. Both environmentalists and the oil industry oppose the action.
As Tax Increment Financing Districts Sunset in Iowa City, Questions Abound
Iowa state law requires tax increment financing to sunset after 20 years. Cedar Rapids is in the process of evaluating some of its TIF districts after they expired this summer.
The New Politics of Local Funding for Flood Control Infrastructure
The city of Cedar Rapids has traditionally struggled to generate funding for flood control projects from local sources. As flooding increases and federal support decreases, the political calculus for flood control infrastructure has changed.
'Not In Our Backyard': Septic to Compost Conversion Plan Hits Local Opposition Snag
A proposal for a facility that converts septic waste to compost will have to find another home, after a decision in Linn County, Iowa.
Mobile Home Parks as Gentrification Flashpoints
The Iowa State Supreme Court recently sided with a resident of a mobile home park over the city of Des Moines, which had worked to shut the entire mobile home park down.
The 'Missing Middle' Fills a Gap in Cedar Rapids
Developers are adding an unprecedented level of new multi-family residential construction. Most of the projects are examples of missing middle housing typologies.
Des Moines Mega-Development Likened to a 'City Within a City'
New details of an ambitious infill project in Des Moines were released at the end of 2017.
Legislation to Ban Traffic Cameras Creates Odd Political Alliances
Republicans and the American Civil Liberties Union back bills to ban red light and speed cameras in Iowa, while Democrats and law enforcement want to allow cities and counties to retain automated traffic-enforcement tools.
Ambitious Plan Could Completely Remake the Streets of Downtown Des Moines
A $33 million plan would make downtown Des Moines home to a dense grid of bike lanes and a safer place for pedestrians, among other changes.
Iowa Cities Will No Longer Enforce Rental Occupancy Limits
Iowa City's Mayor, Jim Throgmorton, opposes changes to the state's rental occupancy limits, arguing that these limits protect the state's elderly. The amendment's supporters say it's giving Iowans the freedom to live the way they want to.
Des Moines Has a Plan to 'Connect Downtown'
Des Moines is considering an ambitious complete streets makeover of its downtown streets.
The Dakota Access Pipeline Now Pumping Oil
Adding insult to injury in a bad week for environmental causes, the Dakota Access pipeline began shipping oil this week.
Federal Reserve Banks Look for Small Town Lessons in Growth
What do Rochester, Cedar Rapids, Grand Rapids, and Chattanooga have to do with each other? According to Federal Reserve Banks, they are all examples of cities doing growth right.
Des Moines' Latest Redevelopment Plan Includes Vertical Faming and More
A proposal by the Greater Des Moines Partnership is the latest bid redevelopment idea transforming downtown Des Moines.
Downtown Des Moines Hopes Boom Will Continue Into 2017
Des Moines' Downtown Chamber of Commerce expects the city's 2016 development boom to continue into the new year.
Wouldn't It be Nice if Legislators Were Rewarded for Voting to Increase the Gas Tax?
Surprisingly, legislators are rewarded for supporting new gas taxes: they get reelected, according to a new analysis by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. What's more, they overwhelmingly hail from red states.
Midwest Cities Preparing for the Water Management Challenges of Climate Change
Climate researchers are hoping to coordinate the efforts of Midwest cities toward creating plans and working toward more holistic approaches to climate change.
The Tough Legal Path to ADA Compliance
Next City examines the fruits of a Department of Justice effort to force cities to bring their sidewalks and other public spaces into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
