Kansas
Rebuilding as the "Town of the Future"
After Greensburg, Kansas was nearly flattened by a tornado in 2007, rebuilding the town has taken an environmentally conscious road.
Stadium to Nowhere
Kansas City has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in a new indoor arena with the hopes of luring a pro basketball or hockey team. But a year and a half after opening, nobody's biting.
Thirteen Strategies for Sustainability
How is Kansas City to make itself sustainable? This blog offers 13 strategies, one posted a day, from experts in different fields.
FEMA Redraws Flood Maps
FEMA has redone official maps of flood-prone areas across the country, designating some as flood zones for the first time.
Kansas City Pins Light Rail Plans on Sales Tax Hikes
In metropolitan Kansas City, two sales tax initiatives on the ballot in efforts to raise money for the region's long-planned light rail system.
Bake Sale Revitalization
Elvira's Cakes is a home business that outgrew the kitchen and settled into Kansas City's ailing downtown. The city is looking to small business people like Elvira to breathe new life into Kansas City's struggling districts.
The Mystery of Leavenworth's 'Underground Economy'
A recently-discovered "underground city" beneath Leavenworth, Kansas, has locals mystified as to its origin and purpose.
Tornado Clears Way for LEED Platinum Building
The 5-4-7 Arts Center in Greensburg, Kansas gets a LEED platinum designation- evidence that the town, which was 95% destroyed by a tornado in May, 2006, is making good on its sustainable rebuilding plan.
New 'Living Room' for Kansas City
Columnist E. Thomas McClanahan reviews a new public space in Kansas City, and finds a lot to like in the urban design.
A New Proposal For Kansas City's Transit System
Mayor Mark Funkhouser's new proposal calls for a regional transit system spanning 119 miles, though it relies on much less light rail than some transit advocates had hoped for.
Redevelopment Induced Sprawl
In Kansas City, many tax increment financing zones are simply luring existing business to move and creating new sprawling development.
A Sustainable City Rises From the Rubble
A year after a tornado destroyed the city of Greensburg, Kansas, the city and its residents are bounding back in an economically and environmentally sustainable way.
After Disaster, Town Sprouts Back 'Green'
Local leaders and residents of Greensburg, Kansas -- which was devastated by a tornado last year -- are hoping to rebuild their town into a model of environmental sustainability.
Lawrence, Kansas Takes Top Walkability Honors
Lawrence, Kansas has been named the most walkable city in Kansas, and the 38th most walkable destination in America. However, city officials are not resting on their laurels.
Environmental Concerns Threaten River Access Plan
Concerns over environmental abuse may block a river access plan in south central Kansas.
Kansas City Regional Light Rail Should Be Scaled Down
This editorial from The Kansas City Star argues that Mayor Mark Funkhouser's plan to create a regional light rail system may be too ambitious, and efforts should be focused on building a smaller system.
Kansas City to Require LEED-Platinum City Buildings
The tornado-ravaged Kansas city of Greensburg has announced plans to become the first city to require that all city-owned buildings achieve the Platinum rating level of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED building standard.
Kansas City Behind In Light Rail
Even with a voter approved plan, the Kansas City metro region is only beginning to talk about light rail construction -- to its determent, argues one columnist.
New Downtown Design Center Trains Architects In Kansas City
A new downtown facility will serve as a training ground for architecture students from Kansas State and the University of Kansas.
Design For Kansas City Museum Is En-'light'-ened
Architect Steven Holl's new addition to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art makes innovative use of light to showcase both the building and the art inside.
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
