Founded in the 1970s as a solution for housing shortages around Amsterdam and Schiphol, Almere has grown into one of the largest "new" cities in Europe.
"The key to Almere's original success, according to Dirk Frieling, head of the project group responsible for planning and developing the new town in 1973... was very simple -- the government owned all of the land being developed. This important fact enabled rapid growth and allowed for plenty of green spaces and low-density development, neither of which would have been possible if the land was privately owned. These two characteristics are still the most impressive features of the city."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Coming of age: Almere New Town grows up

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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.
City of Albany
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