Maine

Southern Maine planners, who have long subscribed to the idea that they worked in rural, car-dependent communities, are beginning to embrace density, mixed-uses, and transit.

Heather Stewart's vision of a country wedding in a resorted country barn are thwarted by code enforcement officers at the last minute. 'We have zoning rules and building codes that always get in the way of dreams,' Reinsborough said.

Officials in Maine are considering a plan to build a cross-state superhighway.

A punch was thrown and hair was pulled at a recent meeting of the Guilford, Maine, Historical Society after tension arose over the removal and display of historic photos from the town museum.

The City of Saco, Maine is turning land the federal government once labeled a toxic Superfund site into a hub for hiking, fishing, and recreation.

The City Manager of Portland, Maine terminates 98 positions, including the Urban Designer and Historic Preservation staff, eliminates the Parks Department, and moves the Economic Development department in to the Administrative office.

A 2,300-unit development near a Maine lake is facing an environmental test to determine its carbon footprint. Environmentalists say the impact is too great, but developers dispute the analysis.

The Bayside neighborhood's economic, cultural and racial diversity is reflected in housing types, restaurants, scrap yards and grocery stores.

The New England region's population growth rate continues to drop below that of the nation as a whole, measuring at a rate of just 0.2 percent between July 2005 and July 2006. This compares with a national growth rate of about 1 percent.

A study released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that nutrient pollution in New England and the Gulf of Maine has increased over the last 15 years, due to pesticide use, stormwater runoff, and sewage leaks.

As the carbon neutrality market grows, some experts wonder if the non-regulated practice is having any real effect on the environment.

Despite the sudden sale and closure of Portland's once vibrant public market, one pizza parlor owner continues to incur large losses but refuses to shut down.

The founder of Burt's Bees is buying land in hopes of creating a new national park in Maine, but locals disagree with the plan to ban snowmobiling, hunting and all-terrain vehicles on 50,000 of her acres.

The City of Portland, Maine, continues to struggle with the decision of whether or not to renovate or rebuild the 28 year old Cumberland County Civic Center.

A small college in Maine has made a pledge to reduce and offset all of its greenhouse gas emissions, including those generated by students' trips to and from school.

Despite a cooling real estate market, developers and city officals are moving forward on plans to develop a new neighborhood along Portland's eastern waterfront.

Bold action can help the state of Maine reach sustainable prosperity.

Maine's new governor has made energy conservation, efficiency and alternative energy key themes to his administration, mandating LEED standards for state buildings, increasing hybrid vehicles, use of bio-diesel, and embracing wind farms.

The nation's largest landowner, Plum Creek Timber Co., is entering a legal battle with environmental groups over its proposal to create the largest development in Maine's history.

The twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn have long been known as Maine's worst urban area. Today, it is using art, history, diversity, and culture to carve out its niche as one of the state's funkiest and most historical urban areas.