Desegregate Connecticut, the organization working for planning and zoning reforms in the Constitution State, recently published a series of "playbooks" intended to spur action at the local level.
Desegregate Connecticut—a pro-housing development coalition that formed in 2020, released the Connecticut Zoning Atlas in early 2021, and helped get statewide zoning reforms approved in the Connecticut State Legislature—recently released a trio of "playbooks" that helps land use commissioners, candidates for land use commissioner, and land use advocates "Be the Change."
Each playbook lays out actions available to reform the planning and zoning status quo. The playbook for land use commissioners, for example, describes zoning as both a problem and a solution (for both equity and the environment in both cases) before laying out a reform agenda and providing pointers for how to achieve those goals.
As for a list of suggested reform, the playbook for land use commissioners recommends
- Improve permitting for small-scale family housing
- Promote accessory apartments
- Allow equitable transit-oriented communities
- Reduce minimum lot sizes
FULL STORY: Be the Change!
Watch: The Laws and Policies Driving Up the Cost of Housing
A Vox explainer video tackles the rising cost of housing in the United States.
Connecticut Approves Statewide Zoning Reforms—Bill Awaits Governor's Signature
Advocates and political supporters are calling HB 1607 an incremental, first step, after the process of building a winning political coalition cut back some of the original ambition of the statewide zoning reform effort.
Opinion: Zoning Reform Is a Social Justice Issue
Far from an obscure, wonky local issue, zoning reform has the potential to advance social justice in American cities.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service