The New York Times profiles Marathon, a tiny town in Texas with no jobs to speak of but a growing number of second-home buyers looking for the quiet life.
"JAMES A. MANGUM and his wife, Sidney Spires, stopped into Marathon, Tex., last September while researching Mr. Mangum's third western-themed novel, "Stalking Azazel." That night, they met a group of Marathoners gathered around a resident's outdoor pizza oven, drinking beer and watching the sun set behind the Del Norte Mountains. Two weeks later, they bought a $60,000, 600-square-foot cottage next door.
Mr. Mangum and Ms. Spires, who now split their time between Marathon and a home in Shiner, Tex., about 460 miles away, joined the artists, writers, ranchers and outdoor enthusiasts who have settled in this town of 450, 600 or 800, depending on whom you ask. Once little more than a pit stop on the way to Big Bend National Park, 40 miles south, Marathon has lost its industry but found new life as a quiet but thriving second-home community.
"The first thing you notice when you get here, your heart rate drops about 50 percent," Mr. Mangum said."
FULL STORY: Where Cowboy Hats Meet Birkenstocks

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.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

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.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service