One of the biggest obstacles to retrofitting suburbia with more walkable environments is passionate local opposition to change.
A collection of Greater Greater Washington contributors gathered online to discuss ideas for walkability in suburban settings to commemorate the release of a new book, Suburban Remix, by Jason Beske and David Dixon.
The discussion focuses on Prince George's County, specifically about the difficulties of overcoming voal local opponents to change. The discussion ranges from framing the conversation about development in terms of safety, focusing on areas where change is possible (potentially by taking other areas out of the redevelopment discussion), finding middle ground, zoning, and historic preservation.
FULL STORY: Can transforming suburban places to walkable urban ones be successful and popular?
A New Transit-Oriented Downtown for New Carrollton, Maryland
The New Carrollton transit station will add Purple Line light rail to its multi-modal mix; planners at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) hope to leverage the new transit for new land use and development around the station.
Is Atlanta's Shift to Infill Development the Canary in the Sprawl Coal Mine?
A new study indicates that one of America's poster children for auto-centric development has a made a significant u-turn. Since 2009, the majority of Atlanta's new commercial and rental housing has been built in "walkable urban places".
Foot Traffic Ahead: Report Reveals the Resilience of Walkable Places
Reports of the city’s death have been greatly exaggerated, according to new research from Smart Growth America.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research