Susan Henderson

Dwelling Small: Breaking down barriers to compact living

Susan Henderson
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Despite the changing needs and priorities of an aging population, many US municipalities have restricted housing types that could help address the challenges of a generational shift. In this week's post, PlaceMaker Susan Henderson explores housing approaches outside the norm of the single family home. Abergavenny, a charming... Continue Reading
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A New Path to Code Reform

Susan Henderson
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The Users' Guide to Code Reform leads planners through the code reform process, providing tools for governments lacking the capacity to develop a full form-based code. The Project for Code Reform is one of the most important efforts we’ve had the privilege of contributing to in the last decade. We’ve spent most... Continue Reading
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CNU 26: Gearing Up

Susan Henderson
Susan Henderson Instagram Facebook
In this week's post, PlaceMaker Susan Henderson offers a deep dive into the instructive charms of Savannah, Georgia. Click below to launch. Continue Reading
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Civic Space: Creating Community

Susan Henderson
Susan Henderson Instagram Facebook
Public space, or as many urbanists refer to it, civic space, sets the stage for community building. The study of how we use public space has been refined by Jan Gehl over the last thirty years, since the publication of his Life Between Buildings in 1987. A couple of weeks ago, Gehl released his Public Life Data Protocol,... Continue Reading
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Lessons From Savannah

Susan Henderson
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Savannah, Georgia is arguably one of, if not the most, beautiful cities in the United States. Although I lived there for a while 25 years ago, on a recent visit I was struck by the many placemaking lessons we can learn from this lovely city. In anticipation of the 2018 CNU Congress in the city, I started taking some notes... Continue Reading
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The Trifecta: Urbanism, architecture, and nature

Susan Henderson
Susan Henderson Instagram Facebook
We often blog on the benefits of nature integrated into urbanism and wellbeing outcomes of walkability. The real trifecta is when walkable urbanism, human-scale architecture, and nature come together via placemaking. A recent study from the University of Warwick points out that a scenic view delivers equal health benefits... Continue Reading
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Why Can’t My Zoning Create a Diversity of Places?

Susan Henderson
Susan Henderson Instagram Facebook
Planners frequently use the place type framework to identify different issues, challenges, and assets throughout a municipality or a region. While there isn’t a standard used across the profession, it is generally accepted that the broadest range of places includes the hamlet, village, town and city. Historically we... Continue Reading
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Triangular Plazas: Flexible, outdoor rooms with meaningful uses

Susan Henderson
Susan Henderson Instagram Facebook
Last year I enjoyed thinking of the critical components of a successful plaza: activity, locals, and a third place. Great plazas are hosts to community engagement any time of the day or evening, they attract both locals and tourists, and always have a third place fronting at least one edge of the outdoor room. A recent... Continue Reading
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Lean Code Tool

Susan Henderson
Susan Henderson Instagram Facebook
We believe form-based codes are the most efficient, predictable, and elegant way to assure high levels of walkability and urbanism – even in more rural environments. However, the political and staff capacity of many local governments is not prepared for a full zoning reform effort. CNU is developing an agenda of incremental... Continue Reading
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Walkability: It’s not about the buildings, or even the streets. It’s about the experience.

Susan Henderson
Susan Henderson Instagram Facebook
We are excited to see the high level of understanding in the Surgeon General’s Step It Up call to action last week, to promote walking and walkable communities. The Surgeon General noted, “Improving walkability means that communities are created or enhanced to make it safe and easy to walk and that pedestrian activity... Continue Reading
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