African Americans in the North are reversing the trend set by their parents and grandparents by migrating back to the South. This post from Grist looks at the impact on communities and urbanism.
A major part of this demographic shift is those nearing or already at the age of retirement.
"For the retirement age folks, it means that we need to work on encouraging tactics such as agrarian urbanism. This way, people can have some semblance of a small-town life without giving up the idea of retiring to a farm, and mobility if they can't drive anymore or never learned to drive. For young people, it means to continue to advocate for places to go. Speaking for my friends and myself, we love having urban amenities like city parks, free concerts, and also lounge-style places to have a drink, maybe dance, and have great conversations with each other.
Planners, architects, engineers, and municipal officials should make sure that community organizations and neighborhood groups can express concerns and even participate in the design of retrofitted and new developments. I think these new migrants would welcome bike lanes, increased bus and train service, and community gathering spots that are community- and not corporate-owned. The key is to make sure these plans are presented in language that they understand."
FULL STORY: What does the reverse Great Migration mean for urbanism?
Population Losers
California's population dipped below 39 million as of July, according to the Census Bureau, after seeing its net domestic migration loss this year exceed last year's. Only New York has seen a greater loss as a percentage of population.
The 'New Great Migration' Picks Up Pace
Recent American Community Survey data solidifies an underappreciated pattern of migration in the United States: a reversal of the Great Migration of the 20th century, when an estimate 5 million Black Americans left the South.
Why Americans Are Moving from Blue to Red States
In this op-ed, Arthur B. Laffer and Stephen Moore analyze the recent Census findings showing renewed migration from the Northeast and Midwest to the South and Southwest. They note the movement is clearly from blue states to red, and explain why.
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.
Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.
When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action
As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.
Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts
Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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