For many decades now, most communities in the United States have grown as a series of subdivisions, built on a tried and true formula. It might be time to change the math.

"[Z]oning disputes typically only involve a few parcels of land at a time," according to Sarah Kobos. Controversial and headline-grabbing as some zoning disputes might be, "if you really care about the future of your city, you need to think bigger." One place to look to find the kind of scale Kobos seeks: subdivision regulations.
Kobos writes the local subdivision regulations wield tremendous power, but from obscurity. "Even the most battle-hardened veteran of the zoning wars would be hard pressed to explain what the subdivision regulations do."
That's where Kobos's article comes in: to explain the ins and outs of subdivision regulations, and why they matter to the experience and livability of communities. "If your city hasn’t re-evaluated its subdivision regulations in a while, you’re probably still replicating bad ideas from the 1970’s — creating inflexible, and auto-centric places," writes Kobos. As prescription for subdivision malaise, Kobos recommends a few "baby step" changes that can help implement incremental change with regard to block lengths, connectivity, and cul-de-sacs.
FULL STORY: You Care About the Subdivision Regulations, You Just Don't Know it (Yet)

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?

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

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.

How the ‘Direct Vision’ Design Approach Saves Lives
Designing large trucks to ensure better visibility for drivers can reduce fatal crashes and improve workplace safety.

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.
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