Dwell small; live large. It's something many passionate urbanists have been working on for a decade. Could 2015 finally be the year small goes big?

"One of the big lessons of the cottage movement: Design matters. A lot."
"Before they set aside their concerns, most people — especially those who live nearby — need a demonstration of how these small-scale neighborhoods can add to the beauty and function of existing neighborhoods. And the tolerance of neighbors is essential, since cottage-scale communities need to be in places that offer the kinds of amenities already associated with high-value locations — access to work, transit, schools, shops and restaurants within walking or biking distance."
"Simply put: The trade-off for living in small spaces is proximity to most daily needs not far outside your door."
The article includes a run down of some successful cottage courts and pocket neighborhoods, as well as some pointers to where the conversations are happening to generate more small-scale living.
FULL STORY: Small to Go Big in 2015? Maybe. Finally. Here’s why.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

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.

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

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
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