A picture's worth a thousand plans - at least when it's a "photo-realistic visualization." Designer Steve Price's detailed 3D flash animations show towns what empty streetscapes and drab buildings could look like with a little bit of planning.
Price's firm, Urban Architecture, uses Photoshop and other design tools to craft realistic images showing what proposed designs and plans would actually look like on the ground. From Miami to Virginia and all across the country, these visualizations have helped planning boards, city councils and everyday citizens understand what change could actually look like before it happens and make decisions that they'll be proud to live with.
No project comes out exactly as planned, or exactly as Price depicts it, but he stresses the importance of giving people new ways of envisioning their futures.
"Everybody kind of nods and agrees and knits their brows as they listen to statistics and information about economic development," Price said. "Then they see the pictures, and that's when the smiles occur. And the 'oohs' and 'ahs.' There are two hemispheres of the brain, and it's almost like two different people in everybody's head, and they respond to the world in very different ways."
FULL STORY: Digital Designer Shows What Future Towns Could Look Like

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
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