Category: Planning and Design

The Fear Freak-Out: Now in neighborhoods near you

Ben Brown
Ben Brown
The times, shall we say, are not ideal for that conversation we keep talking about. You know, the conversation we feel we need whenever something scary happens. That ever-elusive, rational talk that includes everyone and ends with, if not a group hug, then at least a group understanding. (more…) Continue Reading
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Aging, Self-Driving Cars, and How We Suck at Predicting Doom

Scott Doyon
Scott Doyon Twitter Instagram Facebook
As a species, we like to keep on keepin’ on. We’re predisposed to favor continuity and resist change. Which includes not wanting to be held accountable for any less-than-stellar choices we might make along the way. For years we’ve had various prophets of doom telling us that dispersed suburban living is one of... Continue Reading
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CNU24 Detroit: Summary and celebration

Hazel Borys
Hazel Borys Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
You know how the sweet spot for blogs is 500 words? Well, this isn’t one of those. It’s the geek's guide to the 24th Congress for the New Urbanism in Detroit. Feeling grateful for the food for thought, and wanting to keep the ideas fresh. This blog compiles city planning tweets from June 8 through 11 on the subject,... Continue Reading
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Creative Placemaking: Lead, Follow AND Get Out of the Way

Scott Doyon
Scott Doyon Twitter Instagram Facebook
It seems everywhere I turn lately I stumble my way into a conversation on creative placemaking — people looking at the activation of public space as a way to further their personal and collective passions and pursuits. It’s heartening. I’m a firm believer that our taking of emotional ownership over the spaces... 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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From Ideas to Action: Cheaply, quickly, fairly

Ben Brown
Ben Brown
Last week, in the Congress for the New Urbanism’s “Public Square” blog, sociologist David Brain outlined strategies for a Lean charrette, which is a work-in-progress concept designed to match up with Lean Urbanism strategies. Opportunist that I am, I welcome that as an excuse to try Part 2 of the charrette discussion... Continue Reading
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2016 Groves Award Winner

PlaceMakers
PlaceMakers Twitter Instagram Facebook
We'd like to help celebrate this year's Groves Award Winner! Andy Blake, City Manager for the City of Ranson, West Virginia, will receive the 2016 Groves Award, given annually by the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Transect Codes Council to recognize outstanding leadership and vision in the promotion of Transect-based... Continue Reading
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It’s the Complexity, Stupid! (Try ‘splainin’ that in an elevator)

Ben Brown
Ben Brown
I’m writing this as Wisconsin voters appear poised, if we’re to believe the hyperventilating pundits, to push the reset button on the 2016 presidential primary season. All bets are off from here on. Not the smart money, though. That’s because the presidential campaign is likely to play out within boundaries shaped... Continue Reading
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Benchmarks: Places on the move measure up

Hazel Borys
Hazel Borys Twitter Facebook LinkedIn
As spring tempts us to pick up the pace of our outdoor activities, it's clear that not all places have equal footing. Those well-positioned to draw us out into health-boosting active transportation are enjoying all sorts of benefits. City planners across North America are trying hard to even the playing field. The 2016... Continue Reading
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Placemaking vs. Placeshaking

Scott Doyon
Scott Doyon Twitter Instagram Facebook
A recent post over on Comstock's reignited consideration of the word "placemaking," sparking some of our own thoughts on the matter. Given that we as a firm have officially been "placemakers" (on legal documents and everything!) since 2003, we unsurprisingly have our own thoughts on what this rather ill-defined word... Continue Reading
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