Florida
Could Old Malls Become Manufacturing Centers?
That's what Richard Reep proposes in this article looking at reuse options for vacant retail properties from strip malls to megamalls.
Undoing a Sprawl-Inducing Rule in Florida
Planners in Jacksonville are getting behind plans to encourage more infill development by getting rid of an older rule that was seen to contribute to sprawl.
Developer Appointed As Planning Director
In a controversial move, new Florida Governor Rick Scott has appointed Billy Buzzett, vice-president at a development company, to lead the state's Department of Community Affairs.
Florida Transportation Planners Still Pushing Roads
In this op-ed, Daniel Shoer Roth says that fast roads are still the be-all and end-all of transportation planning in South Florida.
No Relief For Gridlock
MacDill Air Force Base has created a snarl of traffic in Tampa. Transportation planners are at a loss to find a solution so far.
Tensions in Condo Complexes Over Foreclosures, Neglect
Reporter Dan Fitzpatrick goes to Florida, where slow foreclosures are making cranky neighbors who are footing the bill for the upkeep.
Traffic Management, Disney Style
At Disney World, getting millions of visitors through the lines of their desired attractions faster is a huge logistical challenge. The theme park is taking a high-tech approach to the problem.
Hardly a Celebration
With a recent murder, a shootout-turned-suicide, and a high rate of foreclosure, the reality of Celebration, Florida, is less ideal than appearances would suggest.
LaHood's Pitch To Florida: Go Forward With HSR
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wrote a major address to the nation in support of high speed rail that appeared in Florida's Orlando Sentinel. Streetsblog notes the significance of that paper in light of events in Wisconsin and Ohio.
Less Celebration In Disney Town As Foreclosures Rise
To be sure, Celebration still has amongst the highest real estate values, about twice Florida's median value. Yet the foreclosure rate of one of every 20 residents is twice that of the state's.
LaHood Announces New HSR Winners & Losers
The loser list is short and no surprise: The governor-elects of OH and WI had campaigned against HSR projects in their states-they got their wish. The recipients of the redirected $1.2 billion were the surprise,with CA, FL, and WA being the happiest.
Assessing Florida's HSR Plan
The proposed 84-mile high-speed rail line connecting Lakewood, Orlando and Tamps would be the first of its kind in the country. But is it smart planning? Edward Russell reports.
Debate Rages Over Urban Chickens
As reporter Carrie Wells writes, "Who knew chickens could create so much controversy?" The Sarasota Planning Board is considering legalizing backyard chickens, and residents on both sides are up in arms.
Florida DOT Says No to Ped-Friendly Streets
Brickell Avenue in Miami is in one of the most densely populated areas in Florida. FDOT is slated to begin a major resurfacing project here, but refuses to consider additional crosswalks or bike infrastructure, ignoring pressure from locals.
Rough Tracks Ahead For High Speed Rail In Congress
Transportation consultant Ken Orski looks at post-election results in OH, WI, and FL as consistent with Newsweek's Robert J. Samuelson's pre-election column calling for an end to what he sees as wasteful and inappropriate high speed rail investment.
Florida Voters Reject Sweeping Land Use Amendment
On Tuesday, balloters issued a resounding 'no' on Amendment 4, which would have required voter consent to change comprehensive land use plans at the city, county and state levels.
The Web of Walkability
Steve Mouzon visually documents his walkable day-to-day life, and all the places he can get to regularly on foot from his house.
CA & FL To Win $900 Million & $800 Million For HSR
Awards for high speed rail projects will be announced Oct. 26. CA will receive $902 million for 18 projects from SF to San Diego, the largest in the Central Valley. Florida will get $800 million for the Orlando to Tampa line
Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Rail Against Rail
In Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, and California, the Republican gubernatorial candidates are all campaigning on pledges to return the high speed rail stimulus finds that the Obama administration recently awarded.
Builders, Developers and Cities Team Up Against Florida's Amendment 4
Amendment 4, on the Nov. ballot in Florida, would put state-mandated growth plans before the voters, and could mean any change to a community's development plan would have to be approved by the masses.
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.
North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
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
