A national transformation is taking place as small towns in the U.S. struggle to survive the onslaught urban and suburban refugees. Experts say lack of planning makes the problem worse.
"While some towns struggle to attract new industry and keep a town square alive, others try to slam the brakes on growth, as roads, sewers and schools strain under the load of new homes and families...planning experts say, small towns are so eager for investment that they don't plan. Strip malls are commonplace on the outskirts of boomburb and decaying town alike. Yet they often bring congestion and suck business out of downtown, leaving a town with a hollow center and an ugly fringe."
Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan
FULL STORY: Small-town blues: Suburbs, brain drain take toll on slice of Americana
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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.
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research