Measure 37 dramatically altered the planning and development landscape in Oregon. Now community-based environmental planning may be the only alternative for environmentalists.
"The pendulum has swung and it has swung hard, making planning and progressive environmental work difficult. But this is the political and cultural climate that Oregonians now have to work in, and it comes at a critical stage of growth for Portland and the state. It's time to get some new tools in the land-use toolbox that are more creative and effective for today's changing social and environmental climate."
"Rightly or wrongly, the Endangered Species Act was used as the means to protect old-growth forests, and the impact of that protection was strongly felt but limited to rural areas. This was followed by salmon listings under the act that, because of the nature of rivers and watersheds, affected every aspect of society and public and private property, including urban areas."
"Community-based environmental planning has shown promise as an inclusive, collaborative means to accomplish environmental goals."
FULL STORY: LAND-USE PLANNING

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.

Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population
In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.

Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan
City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.

Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?
The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.
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.
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
City of Edmonds
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research