EU Leads US in Planning Innovations

Planning in the United States for years follows the lead of the European Union. The ideas of walkable cities, dependence on mass transit, brownfield redevelopment and other practices in planning and development were common in Europe decades before the U.S. Michael Mehaffy gives a very good overview of the EU's most progressive cities in terms of sustainability planning.

Full Story: Change of Climate [PDF]

Al Gore Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Congratulations to former Vice President Al Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change jointly won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Friday for their efforts to spread awareness of man-made climate change and to lay the foundations for fighting it.

This prize is well deserved along with the other recent accolades such as the Oscar and Emmy awards.

Read NPR's coverage here

October is National Community Planning Month

The American Planning Association (APA) has designated this month as National Community Planning Month. Each year APA and its members, chapters, divisions, and professional institute sponsor National Community Planning Month to raise the visibility of planning efforts in communities across the U.S., and throw a spotlight on the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities.

I have been a supporter of this much needed opportunity for the planning profession to promote itself and the issues that we tackle on a day-to-day basis. The benefits, value and importance of good planning is something that is often forgotten or not recognized in day to day life. Usually the only time that the planning process gets any attention is when there is some controversial local issue, i.e., environmental accident or disaster, locally unwanted land uses (LULU's), or other high stakes issue. Citizens, officials, and leaders need to be educated on planning before these situations arise in their communities and be better prepared to deal with change whatever the circumstance.

For more information on National Community Planning Month events and activities, visit:

http://www.planning.org/ncpm/index.htm

Other useful planning websites:
Cyburbia
Planetizen
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Smart Growth America