The Trafalgar Pole cleans up cluttered streetscapes, consolidating utility boxes in the base of a street light.
Toronto area developer Fred DeGasperis used to hear frequent complaints from home builders that buyers expected a discount for lots containing "street furniture", the term used by the industry to refer to the utility boxes that sit on front yards and distribute telephone, cable or hydro services. DeGasperis' solution was to design a new light post called the Trafalgar Pole that is capable of housing these utility services in its wide base, thereby removing them from nearby lawns. While purchasers are not always able to immediately identify what is different about developments that use the pole, they do recognize that the streetscape is significantly improved. Utility companies also like the pole because it makes locating utilities much simpler, particularly during Canadaian winters when ordinary utility boxes can disappear under a snow bank.
Thanks to Geoffrey Singer
FULL STORY: New pole makes street look cleaner

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.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service