Bergen County, New Jersey offers a case study in overcoming decades of illegal and exclusionary zoning practices.

Rev. Gregory Jackson argues in an op-ed that Bergen County, New Jersey—one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. "Municipalities in the county helped secure this status by implementing exclusionary zoning practices that drove hard working families out of these towns – and by doing so, they helped create an affordable housing crisis," writes Rev. Jackson.
Rev. Jackson has noticed a sea change in Bergen County, however, "as more and more Bergen County towns are now taking proactive steps to expand fair housing opportunities." Many of these actions are the results of hard-fought legal actions, but there is reason to be less cynical. According to Rev. Jackson, "145 towns across the state who have signed fair-housing agreements to transition into an inclusive style of planning and zoning."
The remainder of the op-ed takes a closer look at the downtown redevelopment of the towns located in Bergen County.
FULL STORY: Opinion: Bergen towns can build affordable housing

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Diego Swaps Parking Lane for Kid-Friendly Mini Park
The block-long greenway will feature interactive play equipment and landscaping.

Tracking the Invisible: Methane Leaks From LA’s Neighborhood Oil Sites
Environmental advocates are using infrared technology to monitor and document methane leaks from neighborhood oil sites, filling regulatory gaps and pushing for stronger protections to safeguard community health and the climate.

Montana Bill Promotes Parking Reform
A bill before the Montana state senate would bar cities from requiring more than one parking spot per new housing unit.
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