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Bringing the Benefits of Solar Energy to Low-Income Consumers: A Guide for States and Municipalities
May 2017by: Bentham PaulosThis guide is designed to help states and local governments design and implement policies and programs to promote solar access for low-income consumers. -
Housing for Older Adults—Location, Location, Location
PlannersWeb, November 2013by: Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur, Stuart AndreasonThis article stresses the importance of coordinating housing and transportation, improving home design, and protecting affordability for building an age-friendly community. -
Chico, CA, 2030 General Plan
Adopted April 2011This comprehensive plan includes goals, policies, and actions to reduce nonrenewable energy resource consumption by supporting renewable energy technologies and passive solar design principles in new development. -
Urban Nature and Biodiversity for Cities
September 2021by: Jeffrey Smith, Anne Guerry, Eric LonsdorfThis briefing paper provides scientific reasoning for why it is important to incorporate urban design, along with how urban areas can do so. -
Kearny County, KS, Environmental Code
Updated September 2014This county code provides standards for the location, design, construction, maintenance, waste disposal and use of on-site wastewater systems in the county. -
Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments
January 2011This guide is designed to help local government staff and officials design and implement a comprehensive strategy for growing the local solar market. -
Cities and Ageing
GCIF Policy Snapshot 2, September 2013This report considers the impact that rapid urbanization and aging will have on cities and introduces the Age Friendly City Policy, Planning & Design framework and its indicators. -
Planning for Children in New Vertical Communities
2017by: City of Toronto Planning DivisionThis guide is meant to ensure that the design plans of dense, multi-unit residential developments in Toronto, Canada are family-friendly. -
Green Building Economic Impact Study
September 2015This report outlines the direct and indirect economic impacts of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system and green building construction by state. -
Lighting Quality and Acoustic Quality in LEED-Certified Buildings Using Occupant Evaluation
Journal of Green Building, 6(2): 139-155, 2011by: Young LeeThis article includes a study on the relationship between Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and lighting and acoustic quality in the workplace. -
Unintended Consequences: How the Use of LEED Can Inadvertently Fail to Benefit the Environment
Journal of Green Building, 1(4): 152-165by: Jeremy Bray, Natasha McCurryThis article discusses how some Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects fail to be as environmentally beneficial as intended. -
Improving the Link Between the LEED Green Building Label and a Building’s Energy-Related Environmental Metrics
Journal of Green Building, 3(2): 85-105, 2008by: G. Wedding, Douglas Crawford-BrownThis article offers several recommendations for improving the environmental benefits of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system. -
Regional Green Building Case Study Project: A post-occupancy study of LEED projects in Illinois
October 2009This case study analyzes the performance, costs, and benefits of several Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects according to several metrics. -
Northbrook, IL, Code of Ordinances
Updated August 2019The village's code of ordinances requires new public buildings, and provides incentives for private buildings to, receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. -
A Local Government Guide to LEED for Neighborhood Development
April 2012This guide presents the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) certification system as a resource for municipalities to achieve their sustainability goals. -
Technical Guidance Manual for Sustainable Neighborhoods
2013by: Meg Byerly, Jennie Nolon Blanchard, John NolonThis guide presents several avenues for municipalities to use the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design- Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) certification to promote sustainable neighborhoods. -
Arlington County, VA, Green Building Density Bonus Incentive Policy
Adopted November 2014This standalone policy describes a voluntary green building incentive that allocates Floor Area Ratio (FAR) density bonuses relative to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification levels. -
The Built Environment and Health: An Evidence Review
November 2013by: Russell Jones, Gregor YatesThis briefing paper considers the connections between the built environment and health to help guide the design of urban space in the UK. -
Oneida Nation, WI, Reservation Comprehensive Plan
Updated October 2008The Oneida Nation’s comprehensive plan incorporates strategies for improving health into its Health Care, Community Design, Parks and Recreation, Agriculture, and Environmental Protection goals and objectives. -
Louisville-Jefferson County, KY, Code of Ordinances
Updated July 2019The city-county’s codified ordinances create the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission assigned with designation and design review responsibilities. -
Norfolk, VA, A Green Infrastructure Plan for Norfolk Building Resilient Communities
Adopted July 2018This functional plan assesses natural assets to design green infrastructure for community resilience and effective integration with gray infrastructure in Norfolk, Virginia. -
Driving Down Emissions: Transportation, Land Use, and Climate Change
October 2020This report evaluates the role of car-oriented land use and design on the nation’s transportation emissions and the impact on climate change. -
St. Paul, MN, Strategic Stormwater Solutions for Transit-Oriented Development
2013This plan presents a series of recommendations to guide policy, design, and public investments related to stormwater infrastructure along a new light-rail line. -
Pennsylvania Land Choices: An Educational Guide
2009by: Estelle RuppertThis guide is intended to help planners, teachers, and other local leaders design and implement educational activities for students and citizens. -
Rhode Island Transfer of Development Rights Manual
2015This guide provides recommendations to state and local officials in Rhode Island to help them design and implement transfer of development rights programs. -
Irvine, CA, General Plan
The Energy Element of the city's general plan includes goals and a range of specific policies encouraging solar design and solar energy system use.Irvine, CA -
Elmira Town, NY, Municipal Code
Updated October 2018by: Town of Elmira, NYThe town's zoning code establishes a number of design guidelines for siting and maintaining buildings and vegetation to maximize solar access for the use of solar energy systems. -
In Praise of the Humble Sidewalk
Nine experts on why accessible sidewalks are the best infrastructure investment communities can make.by: Steve Wright April 27, 2022Nine experts on why accessible sidewalks are the best infrastructure investment communities can make. -
Los Angeles, CA, Municipal Code
Updated December 2021This regulation belongs to the Active Transportation, Affordable Housing Programs, Design Review, Grayfields Reuse and Redevelopment, Housing Supply Planning, Residential Infill, Solar Energy, and Urban Heat Resilience collections. -
2022 Trend Report for Planners
by: Petra Hurtado, PhD, Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP, Joseph DeAngelis, AICP, Alexsandra Gomez January 18, 2022The 2022 Trend Report for Planners features nearly 100 existing, emerging, and potential future trends that APA identified as relevant to planning. The trends are structured within three timeframes (Act Now, Prepare, Learn and Watch), which indicate the urgency of planners’ action. -
What Role Do Planning and Design Play in a Pandemic? Ann Forsyth Reflects on COVID-19’s Impact on the Future of Urban Life
News, March 19, 2020by: Ann ForsythThis blog post discusses the role of planners in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for the future of urban life. -
The benefits and needs to engage youth in spatial urban planning: Universal design for social justice and children as "sensitive environmental indicators"
Youth Plan, December 2021This article explains how planning with youth can provide new perspectives and creatively tackle issues communities face. -
Newark, NJ, Master Plan
The Business and Industry, Energy and Energy Distribution, Utilities and Infrastructure, and Urban Design elements of the city's master plan include solar-supportive actions and strategies.Newark, NJ -
Centerville, OH, Unified Development Ordinance
Updated February 2018by: City of CentervilleThe city's unified development ordinance addresses solar power plants and accessory solar energy systems, providing approval and design standards for both, but prohibits solar panels on landmarked buildings. -
Ridgecrest, CA, General Plan
The Community Design and Open Space and Conservation elements of the city's general plan include goals, policies, and implementation measures to promote use of solar energy resources.Ridgecrest, CA -
Retrofitting the Suburbs to Increase Walking: Evidence From a Land-Use–Travel Study
Urban Studies (48)1: 129-159, 2011by: Marlon Boarnet, Kenneth Joh, AICP, Walter SiembabThis article found that the urban design of a suburban community affects pedestrian use, and recommends measures to encourage both infill development and increased pedestrian use. -
Green Bay, WI, Municipal Code
Updated August 2018The city's zoning code permits accessory solar energy systems by right in most districts and as conditional uses in others; its subdivision ordinance encourages solar-oriented street design. -
Naugatuck, CT, Code of Ordinances
The borough's subdivision regulations requires solar orientation and design for solar access; the zoning regulations create a planned district for cluster solar-residential community development.Naugatuck, CT -
Golden, CO, Municipal Code
The city's subdivision regulations require lot layouts to address solar access; the zoning code allows small accessory solar energy systems by right in all districts subject to standards and requires special use approval for large accessory solar energy systems, and offers required sustainable design points for solar design and installation in multifamily and nonresidential development.Golden, CO -
The Heat Is On
With climate change pushing temperatures ever higher, cities must develop plans for extreme heat — especially in places with vulnerable populations.August 01, 2020To cope with rising heat, cities need specific urban heat management plans or climate adaptation plans that focus on strategies like modifying the cities' design. -
Novato, CA, Code of Ordinances
The city's zoning ordinance encourages solar orientation and design, provides standards for solar collector installation, and provides for solar access easement covenants.Novato, CA -
Kutztown, PA, Municipal Code
2017by: Borough of Kutztown, PAThe borough's zoning code permits accessory solar energy systems in all district subject to standards; its subdivision code supports solar access considerations and design.Kutztown borough, PA -
Comprehensive Planning Information Sheets
2008by: Design for HealthThis clearinghouse website offers links to the Design for Health Information Sheets series, which offers strategies for incorporating a wide range of health considerations into comprehensive plans and ordinances. -
Housing Diversity Encourages Age-Friendly, Accessible Communities
AARP’s Rodney Harrell talks about aging in place, ADUs, and how zoning reform can help planners provide housing that meets community needs.by: Brenna Donegan June 01, 2023AARP’s Rodney Harrell talks about aging in place, ADUs, and how zoning reform can help planners provide housing that meets community needs. -
Puyallyup, WA, Municipal Code
Updated September 2019The city’s codified ordinances establish a design review and historic preservation board, a process for adding or removing properties from the local register of historic places, and a procedure for applying the state’s special property tax valuation. -
Los Angeles, CA, Slauson Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plan
2022This sub area plan is to improve and identify land use, zoning, and urban design strategies along the Blue, Silver, and Crenshaw lines to further the Transit Neighborhood Plan. -
Atlanta Street Food Feasibility Study
2010by: Zachary Adriaenssens, Mike Cutno, Vanhvilai DouangchaiThis study, conducted by three graduate students, covers the topic areas of policy, urban design, economic impact, and food environment as they relate to mobile food vending in the Atlanta region. -
People Behind the Plans: Rezoning East Harlem, Rethinking One-Size-Fits-All Public Engagement
In this podcast episode of People Behind the Plans, host Courtney Kashima, AICP, catches up with Traci Sanders about how she discovered urban planning, as well as influential projects she's worked on, such as the East Harlem Neighborhood Plan. Traci serves as the director of civic impact for WXY Studio, a multidisciplinary architecture, design, and planning firm based in New York. -
Federal Funding Bolsters Creative Solution to Local Economic Recovery
Providence, Rhode Island, is investing American Rescue Plan dollars in a new economic development strategy—and reinvigorating its struggling tourism industry through arts and culture.by: Michelle McCue March 10, 2022Providence, Rhode Island, is investing American Rescue Plan Act dollars in a new economic development strategy — and reinvigorating its struggling tourism industry through arts and culture. -
Georgia Model Code: Alternatives to Conventional Zoning
June 2007by: Georgia Department of Community AffairsThis model unified development code belongs to the Design Review, Farmland Protection, Form-Based Zoning, Housing Supply Planning, Residential Infill Development, Scenic View Protection, and Zoning Reform and Code Writing collections.