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For small communities, what is the difference between standard and strategic placemaking?
Published on April 24, 2014
Strategic placemaking is a more focused form of placemaking designed to attract talented workers. Small communities struggle to distinguish this approach from more general placemaking efforts. -
Pre-development meetings can improve the overall efficiency of the site plan review process
Published on April 21, 2014
Site plan reviews for local communities can be improved by adding pre-development meetings. These meetings allow developers to address important issues before plan submittal. -
Consider government planning at two levels: internal plans and plans for the entire community
Published on April 21, 2014
Any government body should be able to write a plan for its activities. Why should government have to have a planning commission to do so? -
Financing capital investments, capital improvement program: Part 3
Published on March 21, 2014
Usually the wish list of things to build, repair, and replace is longer than the cash on hand for government to do. So consideration is given to various different financing options, reviewed in this article. -
Web-based tools for shoreline assessments
Published on March 21, 2014
Online mapping sites offer excellent information to help local officials develop effective shoreline zoning regulations. -
Prioritizing capital investments; capital improvement program: Part 2
Published on March 21, 2014
Selecting which capital investments are made is an important part of a government’s capital improvement program. Rarely can one afford to do everything so setting priorities is critical. -
Spending bill for road fixes doesn’t address long-term funding problems
Published on March 20, 2014
Legislature passes spending bill to fix roads, but long-term solution to transportation funding is still elusive. -
Food trucks: Serving street food with a side of placemaking
Published on March 18, 2014
While placemaking is principally focused on creating public spaces with good form, where good form is lacking, attractions such as food trucks can contribute to place by attracting people, enlivening an area and stimulating other business activity. -
Outdoor recreation is a key component of placemaking
Published on March 3, 2014
Public outdoor recreation grants available for communities. -
Including master plans in the budget process
Published on March 2, 2014
A community’s master plan is a good document to identify community priorities. Well-written plans have strong public participation components and a longer term perspective.