It is ranked 67th in terms of population, but after it merges with a county, it will be the 16th largest city in the nation. Is merging cities a national trend?
"It signals an important shift in the way cities and their suburbs are run, and it reinforces the notion that the lines between the two are blurring. At least seven cities are exploring mergers...It's clear that urban problems no longer stop at city limits. Smaller suburban governments feel the stress of managing large-scale urban growth, while cities struggle to hang on to residents. Combining city and county creates a richer tax base, and it eliminates duplication of services and competition for jobs, according to urban planners."
Thanks to Linda LaSut
FULL STORY: Merger will pump up city's stats

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