The Victoria Transport Policy Institute, a Canadian land use and transportation think tank, offers a review of planning principles and practices.
The new report "summarizes key principles and practices for effective planning, particularly land use and transportation planning. Planning refers to a formal decision-making process that reflects human needs, preferences and values. An effective planning process takes into account diverse perspectives and impacts, allowing decision-makers to find optimal solutions to problems and effective ways to achieve goals."
"Planning is among the noblest but underappreciated of professions. Planners are entrusted with helping a community create its preferred future -- good planning helps communities make progress toward paradise, but bad planning leaves a legacy of problems and conflicts. Planners perform civilization's heavy lifting by anticipating and resolving the myriad conflicts that occur within a community. Being a good planner requires unique approaches to issues..."
The paper outlines the virtues of the planning profession, in addition to many planning issues and how they can be addressed.
Thanks to Jon Cecil, AICP
FULL STORY: Planning Principles and Practices [PDF, 208KB]

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.

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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.
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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