Maine

Maine Planners Come Around to Transit and Density

Southern Maine planners, who have long subscribed to the idea that they worked in rural, car-dependent communities, are beginning to embrace density, mixed-uses, and transit.

August 5, 2008 - Portland Press Herald

Zoning Squashes Wedding Plans

Heather Stewart's vision of a country wedding in a resorted country barn are thwarted by code enforcement officers at the last minute. 'We have zoning rules and building codes that always get in the way of dreams,' Reinsborough said.

June 23, 2008 - Portland Press Herald

Dreaming of a Superhighway Across Maine

Officials in Maine are considering a plan to build a cross-state superhighway.

June 9, 2008 - The Ellsworth American

Friday Funny: Don't Mess With the Historical Society

A punch was thrown and hair was pulled at a recent meeting of the Guilford, Maine, Historical Society after tension arose over the removal and display of historic photos from the town museum.

May 30, 2008 - Bangor Daily News

From Superfund To Super Fun

The City of Saco, Maine is turning land the federal government once labeled a toxic Superfund site into a hub for hiking, fishing, and recreation.

May 28, 2008 - Portland Press Herald

City of Portland Maine Cuts Urban Design and Historic Preservation Staff

The City Manager of Portland, Maine terminates 98 positions, including the Urban Designer and Historic Preservation staff, eliminates the Parks Department, and moves the Economic Development department in to the Administrative office.

April 28, 2008 - Portland Press Herald

Measuring the Carbon Footprint of New Development

A 2,300-unit development near a Maine lake is facing an environmental test to determine its carbon footprint. Environmentalists say the impact is too great, but developers dispute the analysis.

January 22, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Economic and Ethnic Diversity in Portland Maine's Gateway Neighborhood

The Bayside neighborhood's economic, cultural and racial diversity is reflected in housing types, restaurants, scrap yards and grocery stores.

March 5, 2007 - The New York Times

New England's Growth Rate Trails Nation's

The New England region's population growth rate continues to drop below that of the nation as a whole, measuring at a rate of just 0.2 percent between July 2005 and July 2006. This compares with a national growth rate of about 1 percent.

December 31, 2006 - Portland Press Herald

Coastal Development Strangling Ocean Life In New England

A study released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that nutrient pollution in New England and the Gulf of Maine has increased over the last 15 years, due to pesticide use, stormwater runoff, and sewage leaks.

December 30, 2006 - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Does Paying For Carbon Neutrality Really Work?

As the carbon neutrality market grows, some experts wonder if the non-regulated practice is having any real effect on the environment.

December 14, 2006 - Portland Sunday Telegram

The Last Retailer Standing

Despite the sudden sale and closure of Portland's once vibrant public market, one pizza parlor owner continues to incur large losses but refuses to shut down.

November 29, 2006 - Portland Press Herald

Creating A New National Park From Private Land

The founder of Burt's Bees is buying land in hopes of creating a new national park in Maine, but locals disagree with the plan to ban snowmobiling, hunting and all-terrain vehicles on 50,000 of her acres.

November 9, 2006 - The New York Times

To Build Or Not To Build?

The City of Portland, Maine, continues to struggle with the decision of whether or not to renovate or rebuild the 28 year old Cumberland County Civic Center.

October 27, 2006 - Portland Press Herald

College Pledges To Offset All Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A small college in Maine has made a pledge to reduce and offset all of its greenhouse gas emissions, including those generated by students' trips to and from school.

October 14, 2006 - The Washington Post

Portland, Maine, To Develop New Neighborhood

Despite a cooling real estate market, developers and city officals are moving forward on plans to develop a new neighborhood along Portland's eastern waterfront.

October 10, 2006 - Portland Press Herald

An Action Plan for Sustainable Prosperity

Bold action can help the state of Maine reach sustainable prosperity.

October 9, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Maine Takes The Lead On Energy Independence

Maine's new governor has made energy conservation, efficiency and alternative energy key themes to his administration, mandating LEED standards for state buildings, increasing hybrid vehicles, use of bio-diesel, and embracing wind farms.

August 26, 2006 - Portland Press Herald, ME

Legal Battle Set For Maine's Largest Development

The nation's largest landowner, Plum Creek Timber Co., is entering a legal battle with environmental groups over its proposal to create the largest development in Maine's history.

August 15, 2006 - Portland Press Herald

The Resurgence Of Maine's Grittiest City

The twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn have long been known as Maine's worst urban area. Today, it is using art, history, diversity, and culture to carve out its niche as one of the state's funkiest and most historical urban areas.

June 26, 2006 - The Boston Globe

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.