Despite support from five consecutive governors, Maryland's progressive smart growth effort has seen only limited success. Here's how to fix it...
"...[Because] of their piecemeal and uneven application, the effectiveness of both state and local efforts has been limited... Why is all this happening? In large part, because the state imposes no plan on local jurisdictions to ensure that they meet the housing needs of a population that has grown from 4 million in Mandel's day to more than 5 million now... Instead, growth pressures have prompted some local governments to impose building moratoriums or to set such high standards for public facilities that development has been deflected to more rural counties or even to neighboring states."
Thanks to PreservingtheAmericanDream Listserv
FULL STORY: Build a Better Free State . . .

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

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.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
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.
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Smith Gee Studio
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