Planners in New Jersey developed ambitious plans for transit-oriented development along their rail corridors, but with the struggling housing market and poor economy, developers aren't showing up or have halted projects in the works.
The state's Transit Village program is responsible for a number of brand-new neighborhoods along the rail system, including developments in Jersey City, Morristown, New Brunswick and Rahway. But even with state-funded upgrades to the rail system, progress has stalled.
"[I]n Somerville, work continues on a $153 million upgrade to the Raritan Valley Line train station, but redevelopment of a huge former landfill beside it as a potential Transit Village is one of two stalled projects.
'In today's market, developers won't just show up,' said Colin Driver, Somerville's director of economic development. 'We made a two-year study, and involved the entire community in creating a great plan for a transit-oriented development - and then the bottom sort of fell out for any kind of development.'"
FULL STORY: ‘Transit Cities’ Face Roadblocks
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Building housing near transportation networks can improve density and walkability, but can also have serious health consequences for residents.
Expanding the Concept of Transit-Oriented Development: Lessons from Abroad
Keeping transit planning and development siloed can limit opportunities to build affordable housing and vibrant neighborhoods.
Second Massachusetts Town Spurns State TOD Zoning Mandate
Marshfield residents voted down a rezoning plan that would have met state requirements for the town to allow development of multifamily housing near MBTA stations.
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
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service