Booked on Planning: Recent Episodes
Booked on Planning
Booked on Planning is a podcast that goes deep into the planning books that have helped shape the world of community and regional planning. We dive into the books and interview the authors to glean the most out of the literature important for preparing for AICP certification and just expanding your knowledge base. We are all busy with our day to day lives which is why we condense the most important material into short 30 minute episodes for your commute, workout, or while you are cleaning up around the house. Join us while we get Booked on Planning.
Housing stability is a pressing concern for many communities, particularly during times when constructing new housing can be financially daunting. Lauren Everett emphasizes a straightforward solution in her book Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land: at home in Santa Monica’s rent-controlled housing. Rent control policies can be implemented at no cost, an approach that not only provides an immediate mechanism to stabilize housing but ensures fairness and sustainability.
Show Notes:
- New York Times article on the New York City Rent Freeze mentioned in the episode: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/nyregion/nyc-rent-freeze-vote-mamdani.html
- If you are looking for more evidence that rent-stabilized apartments don't have a higher instance of habitability issues than non-stabilized this report from NYC is a good resource.
- The NLIHC just came out with their national renter survey, which is really exciting. It has data on the percentage of renters who experience maintenance issues, who report them, who get them addressed, etc.
- Further Reading:
- In Defence of Housing: The Politics of Crisis by David Madden and Peter Marcuse
- Carving Out the Commons: Tenant Organizing and Housing Cooperatives in Washington, D.C. by Amanda Huron
- Abolish Rent: How Tenants Can End the Housing Crisis by Tracey Rosenthal and Leonardo Vilchis
- Against Landlords: How to Solve the Housing Crisis by Nick Bano
- The Underserving Poor: America's Enduring Confrontation with Poverty: Fully Updated and Revised by Michael Katz
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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"Squirrel: How a Backyard Forager Shapes Our World" highlights the fascinating history and ecological importance of squirrels, revealing how these ubiquitous creatures play a vital role in our environments, both urban and rural. As the conversation continued, Castaldo explored the complicated human-squirrel relationship. While many admire squirrels for their agility and intelligence, others find them frustrating garden and bird feeder raiders. Castaldo emphasizes that this tension stems from squirrels being one of the few wild animals regularly interacting with humans, leading to mixed emotions about these neighborhood residents. Recognizing planners' critical role in shaping wildlife-friendly cities, Castaldo advocates for creating green corridors and connected natural spaces. These efforts are essential not only for squirrels but for entire ecological communities, ensuring both urban and natural environments thrive together.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Buildings that Breathe: Greening the World’s Cities by Nancy Castaldo
- Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
- Green Obsession: Trees Towards Cities, Humans Towards Forests by Stefano Boeri
- Urban Ecology: Detroit and Beyond by Kyŏng Pak
- Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet by Ben Goldfarb
- Learn more about the Central Park Squirrel Census at https://www.thesquirrelcensus.com/
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Marvin Planning Consultants
Serving the planning needs of communities and counties in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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In an era where stories of triumph and redemption often stem from unlikely beginnings, "The Lost and The Found: A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family, and Second Chances" presents a poignant narrative that resonates deeply with its audience. Authored by Kevin Fagan, the tale unfolds with an exploration of the human spirit's indomitable will to find belonging and transformation amidst life's adversities. Homelessness, a multifaceted crisis affecting millions worldwide, forms the foundational backdrop of this narrative. In this episode we dive into the intricacies of life without a permanent home, shedding light on the societal factors that contribute to this pervasive issue.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O'Connell's urgent mission to bring healing to homeless people by Tracey Kidder
- Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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This episode delves into the intricate world of limited equity cooperatives, social narratives, and the constantly evolving landscape of housing in America with Jonathan Tarleton, exploring his book "Homes for Living: The Fight for Social Housing and a New American Commons." Tarleton begins by describing the concept of limited equity co-ops, which function as a form of de-commodified housing insulated from current market pressures. This concept comes to life in his book and our conversation through the Mitchell-Lama program in New York City, designed to keep housing permanently affordable for middle-income individuals.
The discussion takes an introspective turn as Tarleton addresses the pervasive American narrative that true ownership equates to property that can generate profit. He argues that societal shifts have turned homeownership into a safety net for all life's financial perils, leading to a narrow view that success is only tangible through profitable ownership.
Show Notes:
- Author Recommended Reading:
- Carving out the Commons: Tenant Organizing and Housing Cooperatives in Washington, D.C. by Amanda Huron
- Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
- Boom Town by Sam Anderson
- Having and Being Had by Eula Biss
- What Can a Body Do?: How We Meet the Built World By Sara Hendren
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
JEO Consulting Group
JEO is a full-service firm offering engineering, architecture, surveying & planning in the Midwest.
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Historic preservation is a field dedicated to safeguarding our cultural heritage, but the stability of jobs within this sector often hinges on government involvement. According to author Jeremy Wells, nearly three-quarters of all jobs in historic preservation are fundamentally designed to meet the needs of local, state, and federal government. This statistic underscores the dependence of the industry on government funding and initiatives and the need for preservation education to reflect this fact in the structure of their programs. "Managing the Magic of Old Places: Crafting Public Policies for People-Centered Historic Preservation," the subject of this episode, covers this topic and ways the preservation field can be more responsive to the communities they serve.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- “Reclaiming Time and Space”, a thesis by Kenyatta McClean
- Uses of Heritage by Laurajayne Smith
- Contemporary Theory of Conservation by Salvadore Munoz Vinas
- People Centered Methodologies of Heritage Preservation: Exploring Emotional Attachments to Historic Urban Places by Rebecca Madgin
- Reimagining Heritage Interpretation: Enchanting the Past-Future by Russel Staif
- Our Unprotected Heritage: Whitewashing the Destruction of Our Cultural and Natural Environment by Thomas F. King
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Ray Planning Solutions
A seasoned planner with experience in land development, zoning admin and community revitalization
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In this episode architect and author Amy Hetletvedt discusses her thought-provoking book, "Preserving With Purpose: Re-Imagining Buildings for Community Benefit." This conversation delves into innovative approaches to historical preservation, particularly around the idea of reimagining how communities can benefit from existing structures. A number of the book’s case studies are discussed to illustrate her concepts that offer a new way to ensure building maintenance and reuse that diverges from the standard approach of letting buildings sit and deteriorate until millions of dollars are raised to complete a full scale renovation.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Deventer by Matthew Stadler
- A Field Guide to Sprawl by Delores Hayden
- You can download a free book guide that includes options to discuss the book in one to three meetings as a book club or lunch discussion at www.amyhetletvedt.com
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Olsson
A nationally recognized, employee-owned engineering and design firm with a rich history of success.
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In our latest episode we interview zoning attorney and author Donald Elliott about his book An Even Better Way to Zone: Achieving More Affordable, Equitable, and Sustainable Communities. Elliott’s work comes alongside other recent zoning books covered on the show, including M. Nolan Gray's Arbitrary Lines (arguing for getting rid of zoning) and Sarah Bronin’s Key to the City, his approach aligning with reforming zoning rather than eliminating it. Elliott explains that his earlier book, A Better Way to Zone (released nearly 20 years earlier), focused on broadly applicable zoning “basics” and common misunderstandings, while the new book reflects two additional decades of practice and is more targeted.
Elliott says An Even Better Way to Zone concentrates on four substantive, current priorities that appear across many zoning projects: enabling more affordable housing, supporting more sustainable development, improving zoning outcomes for disadvantaged groups, and—most notably—zoning for continued reuse and redevelopment rather than focusing only on what communities want “today.” He frames zoning as a governance system, not a wish list, emphasizing that it defines legal rights to use property and therefore needs to anticipate ongoing change, especially in built-out places.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
- The Image of the City by Kevin A. Lynch
- The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by
- Arbitrary Lines by M. Nolan Gray
- Key to the City by Sara Bronin
- The New Urban Crisis: How Our Cities Are Increasing Inequality, Deepening Segregation, and Failing the Middle Class and What We Can Do About It by Richard Florida
- Cast: The Origins of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/lists/land-use-and-zoning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
RDG Planning & Design
Architects, landscape architects, engineers, artists & planners with a drive to make a difference.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
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There’s regionalism as we all learned in planning school led by Louis Mumford at the Regional Planning Association of America (RPAA) and then there’s southern regionalism that Howard W. Odum and his Institute for Research in Social Science (IRSS) led from the University of North Carolina. The history of the southern regionalists was largely overlooked until Stephen Ramos published “Folk Engineering: Planning Southern Regionalism.” Sadly, Stephen passed away shortly after publishing this book, leaving behind an accomplished career and scholarship that elevated the urban planning program in the College of Environmental Design at the University of Georgia. This episode honors his last major publication contributing to the field.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Electric Life: Utility Regulation and the Fight for Energy Democracy by Nikki Lucke (open access PDF)
- Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition Have Failed by James C. Scott
- New State Spaces: Urban Governance and the Rescaling of Statehood by Neil Brenner
- White Flight: Atlanta and the Making of Modern Conservatism by Kevin M. Kruse
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
Marvin Planning Consultants
Serving the planning needs of communities and counties in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Follow us on social media for more content related to each episode:
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Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, yet essential. The American Planning Association’s (APA) 2026 Trend Report offers planners foresight into upcoming trends that could shape our world. In our latest episode, we talked with Petra Hurtado, APA’s Chief Foresight and Knowledge Officer, to delve into these trends. Now in it’s fifth year (coincidentally…or not….this was our 100th episode in the fifth year of our show), we have covered every trend report from the first so you can really start to see the evolution of the document and it’s contents.
This time around, we definitely talk about artificial intelligence (AI) and it’s impacts and how to prepare for it. As trends like AI, transportation, and housing continue to evolve, Hurtado emphasizes the need for planners to address these changes head-on--”looking away won’t make it go away” was the theme of the conversation. The episode highlights recurring themes like climate change, demographic shifts, and policy changes.
Show Notes:
- Check out the full report on APA’s website at https://planning.org/publications/document/9323378/
- Trend Universe: https://planning.org/foresight/trends/
- New Home for Data Source’s Article: https://www.planning.org/planning/2025/sep/5-tech-tools-for-building-relevant-and-reliable-urban-data-infrastructure/
- Upskilling: https://www.planning.org/upskilling/
- Further Reading:
- The Ministry of Time by Kiliane Bradley
- God is Red: A Native View of Religion by Vine Deloria Jr.
- Work Without Jobs: How to Reboot Your Organization’s Work Operating System by Ravin Jesuthansan and John W. Boudreau
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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In the latest episode of the Booked On Planning podcast, hosts Stephanie Rouse and Jennifer Hiatt sat down with author and developer Jamie Madden to discuss his new book, Bittersweet Lane: Creating Home(s) in the American Affordable Housing Crisis. Part memoir and part educational guide, the book offers a rare look at the housing crisis from someone who grew up in affordable housing and now spends his career building it.
Madden’s unique background allows him to bridge the gap between resident needs and developer realities. He emphasizes that successful housing requires understanding the “chain of consequences” behind every decision—from laundry room placement to the complex certification processes residents must navigate. A central theme of the interview is the ideological struggle over the purpose of affordable housing. Madden points out that while the goal should be simple—"everyone should have a place to live"—U.S. policy has historically wavered between viewing housing as a reward (like parks) or a punitive measure (like prisons).
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Gaffs: Why No One Can Get a House, and What We Can Do About It by Rory Hearne
- Poor: Grit, courage, and the life-changing value of self-belief by Katriona O’Sullivan
- Topographia Hibernica: Acclaimed stories from the bestselling Irish author, podcaster, satirist and musician by Blindboy Boatclub
- A past episode referenced by Jamie is Homeless is a Housing Issue, a book he references in Bittersweet Lane.
- Check out the APA National Planning Conference page and register to attend today at https://planning.org/conference/?utm_campaign=NPC26&utm_source=external&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=bookedonplanning
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Progressivism struggles with a never ending pendulum swing between Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian impulses, bringing us to our current problem of inaction. Author Mark Dunkelman in his book, "Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress—and How to Bring It Back", explains the origins of American progressivism as a response to the upheaval created by railroads and national-scale economic power, outlining these two competing impulses within the movement: the Jeffersonian push to break up big institutions and return power to smaller, local actors, and a Hamiltonian push to build strong public institutions capable of regulating large private entities.
The discussion traces how the U.S. shifted toward large-scale governance in the New Deal and mid-20th century, then swung back in the 1960s–1970s as public trust eroded due to environmental damage, highways cutting through communities, urban renewal, Vietnam, and Watergate, leading to layered legal and procedural checks that can fragment decision-making and make it difficult for governments to act quickly. Dunkelman describes how the judiciary’s role changed over time and argues that today’s system resembles a “tragedy of the commons in reverse,” where widespread veto points prevent collective action.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Making a New Deal: Industrial Workers in Chicago, 1919-1939 by Lizabeth Cohen
- Saving America's Cities: Ed Logue and the Struggle to Renew Urban America by Lizabeth Cohen
- Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water by Marc Reisner
- Find each on our Policy book list at https://bookshop.org/lists/theory-policy-history
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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In this episode of Booked on Planning, we dive into a conversation with Zahra Ebrahim, author of 'Messy Cities: Why We Can't Plan Everything.' Ibrahim discusses the inspiration and collaborative effort behind her book, a collection of 42 essays that challenge the traditional notions of urban order and highlight the benefits of urban 'messiness'. The episode explores themes such as ecological benefits, social infrastructure, cultural heritage, and the dynamic interactions that define city living. Listeners can expect a thought-provoking discussion on re-evaluating what makes cities livable, resilient, and vibrant, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and inclusive urban planning.
Show Notes:
- Recommended Reading:
- Is a River Alive? by Robert McFarlane
- Londoners: The Days and Nights of London Now—As Told by Those Who Love It, Hate It, Live It, Left It, and Long for It by Craig Taylor
- The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book and any others on your reading list through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning.
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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A road that was never built still managed to hollow out a neighborhood. We sit down with historian Emily Lieb to unpack how Baltimore’s “Road to Nowhere” took shape on paper, and why that was enough to destabilize Rosemont—a Black middle-class community of sturdy daylight rowhouses—through years of uncertainty, disinvestment, and policy misfires.
This conversation isn’t just about Baltimore. It’s about how plans, incentives, and vague labels shape markets and lives long before construction begins. We dig into the human toll of being told you’re “elected to be the sacrificers,” the choice to protect a cemetery over living homeowners, and the core question planners must face: is a city a place to live or a corridor to drive through? If we want the former, we have to align dollars, definitions, and decisions with the people already there.
If this episode moved you, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who cares about housing, transportation, and urban justice. Your support helps more listeners find these stories and join the conversation.
Show Notes:
- Author Recommended Reads:
- Crime novels are a good way to understand cities (ex: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead, The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett)
- Colossus of New York by Colson Whitehead
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book or any of the recommended readings through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Marvin Planning Consultants
Serving the planning needs of communities and counties in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Follow us on social media for more content related to each episode:
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Streets can be good friends or quiet bullies. We talk with author and planner Bruce Appleyard about Livable Streets 2.0 and how design choices—lane widths, speeds, buffers, sidewalks, and bike protection—shape safety, community bonds, and the energy we feel the moment our feet touch the curb. Bruce shares the personal story behind the book’s legacy and why traffic’s “invisible harms” still fracture neighborhoods, then maps a clear path to build streets that give back.
We dig into cognitive mapping and what children’s drawings reveal about freedom, learning, and place. When kids can walk and bike, their mental maps grow richer, their confidence rises, and schools benefit from more alert, active students. Bruce connects these human-scale wins to economic outcomes, explaining how the “street slum” effect drains main streets and how people-first redesigns boost sales and foot traffic. Slower is safer—and also better for business.
Enjoy the stories, borrow the tactics, and help your city trade throughput for life. If this resonated, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s ready to rethink their block.
Show Notes:
- Author Recommended Reading:
- Fighting Traffic: The Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City by Peter Norton
- The U.S. Traffic Calming Manual by Reid Ewing
- Anything written by Dan Burton
- Walkable City Rules by Jeff Speck
- Right of Way:Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America by Angie Schmidt
- Arrested Mobility: Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement by Charles T. Brown
- Great Streets by Allan Jacobs
- Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall
- Confessions of a Recovering Engineer: Transportation for a Strong Town by Chuck Marohn
- Streets and the Shaping of Towns and cities by Michael southworth and Eran Ben Joseph
- End of the Road: Reimagining the Street as the Heart of the City by Billy Riggs
- Life After Cars By Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon
- Bruce’s website which features more information on the topic: https://rethinkingstreets.com/
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
RDG Planning & Design
Architects, landscape architects, engineers, artists & planners with a drive to make a difference.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Follow us on social media for more content related to each episode:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/booked-on-planning/
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What if city design could prevent harm before it happens—and even lift our sense of purpose? We sat down with architect and planner Phillip Tabb to explore spiritual wellness as a practical, universal lens for shaping healthier streets, homes, and public spaces. Phill draws a clear line between spirituality and religion to focus on experiences we all share: safety, serenity, awe, belonging, and meaning. We unpack the wellness pillars—physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, and financial—and why social connection may be the strongest longevity factor. That insight reframes planning choices: front porches close to sidewalks, paths that prioritize pedestrians, and public squares that can hold both quiet lunches and electric festivals. Housing rounds out the conversation with a hard truth: bigger isn’t better if it separates us and prices out workers. If design is preventative care, then spiritually healthy places are ones that help us breathe, connect, and find purpose every day.
Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, rate, and share the show—and tell us what design move would bring more serenity or awe to your neighborhood.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- The Findhorn Garden: Pioneering a New Vision of Man and Nature in Cooperation by The Finhorn Community
- Journal of Biophilic Design by Vanessa Champion
- Nature and the Cities by Fritz Steiner
- Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Follow us on social media for more content related to each episode:
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Climate action isn’t only written in federal legislation or international agreements. It’s shaped block by block through local land use law—where homes are built, how streets connect, what landscapes we preserve, and which energy systems we permit. In this episode, we chatted with Professor John Nolan to unpack the “land use wedge,” a practical way cities can influence up to 75 percent of CO2 emissions through buildings, transportation, sequestration, distributed energy, and renewables. Along the way, we trace how zoning leapfrogged planning a century ago, why that history still shapes our neighborhoods, and how a course correction can deliver compact, walkable, climate resilient places.
Professor Nolan shares case studies, court-tested approaches, and leadership insights from training thousands of local officials. We talk specific tools—clustering and infill, adaptive reuse, green roofs and tree canopies, solar-ready codes, and transit-supportive density—that reduce emissions and protect public health. We close with a look at a student-led workshop and a model framework for climate resilient development designed to help planners, attorneys, and elected leaders move from plan to ordinance to impact.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Zoning the American Dream: Promises Still to Keep by Charles Haar and Jerold Kayden
- Land Use in American by Henry Diamond, Patrick Noonan, and Laurance Rockefeller
- The American City: What Works, What Doesn’t by Alexander Garden
- Death of Dillon’s Rule article: https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/lawfaculty/1208/
- Climate Resilient Development Workshop: https://www.pace.edu/law/centers-and-institutes/land-use-law-center/publications-and-resources/climate-resilient
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
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Forget the shiny renderings—our path to climate-ready cities starts with what already stands. We talked with architect and preservationist Carl Elefante, author of Going for Zero: Decarbonizing the Built Environment on the Path to Our Urban Future, to explore how City 3.0 can emerge by reusing buildings, redesigning streets, and resetting our standards of care. Carl breaks down Modern City 1.0 and 2.0, then lays out a hopeful, practical framework for what comes next: reconnecting with community, earth, and place while cutting carbon fast.
From Yemen’s wind-wise streets to a D.C. school’s revived induction system, the examples are concrete and transferable. We examine whole-life carbon accounting and why London’s reuse-first policy is a pivotal shift, forcing teams to compare demolition against reuse and reuse-plus-addition. The conversation contrasts durable, maintainable assemblies with fragile, all-glass facades—and explains why the greenest building is usually the one we already have.
If you care about sustainable architecture, urban design, adaptive reuse, missing-middle housing, passive strategies, and whole-life carbon, this conversation offers a clear map forward. Enjoy it, share it with a colleague, and tell us what your city should do next. Subscribe, leave a review, and pass this along to someone shaping the built environment today.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- If the past teaches what does the future learn? Ancient Urban Regions and the Durable Future by John Murphy
- Architecture From Prehistory to Climate Emergency by Barnabus Calder
- Main Street: How a City’s Heart Connects Us All by Mindy Thopsom Fullilove
- Triumph of the City by Ed Glaeser
- Sustainable Nation: Urban Design Patterns for the Future by Doug Farr
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Bookshop page at https://bookshop.org/shop/bookedonplanning or get a copy through your local bookstore!
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What if the United States didn’t just build too many highways—but built a funding machine that makes it hard to stop? We sit down with Erick Guerra, author of Overbuilt: The High Costs and Low Rewards of U.S. Highway Construction, to unpack why capacity keeps growing, congestion doesn’t ease, and budgets bend under the weight of perpetual reconstruction.
We trace the policy DNA from ISTEA through IIJA, showing how well-meaning multimodal language coexists with incentives that still favor widening. Erick explains how “maintenance” often balloons into bigger lanes and interchanges, why induced demand is only part of the congestion story, and how common modeling practices overstate time savings while sidelining external costs like displacement, emissions, and stormwater. The result: urban highways that are wider, costlier, and less effective than promised.
If you care about traffic, climate, safety, or the fiscal health of your city, this conversation offers a clear map for change. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves a good policy debate, and leave a review to help more planners and curious listeners find the show.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall
- The Drive for Dollars by Brian Taylor, Jeff Morris, and Jeffery Brown
- Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar
- City Limits by Megan Kimble
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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What if the biggest public space in your city isn’t a park—it’s the street right outside your door? We sit down with author and planner‑geographer David Prytherch to rethink roads as social infrastructure and unpack why “complete streets” is only the starting line. From the rapid legal and engineering turn that handed streets to cars a century ago to the community‑led experiments that reclaimed asphalt during the pandemic, this conversation traces the power dynamics that shape everyday mobility—and how to change them.
We dig into mobility justice in plain language: not just bikes versus cars, but who feels safe, who gets heard, and where public money actually lands. David lays out how pop‑ups, parklets, and open streets create a cognitive shift that policy can lock in, and why “messy shared space” often calms traffic better than paint and signs. You’ll hear practical, scalable ideas—default speed humps, daylighted intersections, neighborhood greenways, curb‑level plazas—and a frank look at bottom‑up versus top‑down delivery. Boston’s standardized traffic calming and Queens’ 34th Avenue transformation show two paths to lasting change, each grounded in data, culture, and community stewardship.
If you care about safer streets, small business vitality, public health, or equitable access, this episode offers a toolkit and a mindset. We share a reading list—from Peter Norton’s Fighting Traffic to Mimi Sheller’s Mobility Justice—and outline how cities can move from car hegemony to people‑first design without breaking budgets. Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend or colleague who plans, pedals, or simply walks their city.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Fighting Traffic: the Dawn of the Motor Age in the American City by Peter Norton
- Mobility Justice: the Politics of Movement in an Age of Extremes by Mimi Sheller
- Justice in the Interstates: The Racist Truth about Urban Highways by Ryan Reft, Amanda Phillips de Lucas, Rebecca Retzlaff
- Cyclescapes of the Uneven City: Bicycle Infrastructure and Uneven Development by John G. Stehlin
- Law, Engineering, and The American Right-of-Way by David Prytherch (free download here).
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Ever wonder why a “simple” parking spot can decide what gets built on your block, how long your commute takes, or whether your favorite cafe survives? We sit down with Henry Graber, author of Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World, for a live episode recording that reveals how curb space, parking minimums, and meter policy quietly shape housing, transit, local business, and city budgets. Henry takes us from the horse‑and‑wagon era to modern dynamic pricing, connecting the dots between what seems like a technical detail and the urban life we all experience.
If you care about vibrant neighborhoods, small business turnover, housing options, or safer, greener travel, this is a candid, myth‑busting look at the hidden system running beneath every city. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who swears there’s “never any parking”—then tell us how your city should use one block of curb.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City by Jorge Almazán, Joe McReynolds
- Saving America's Cities: Ed Logue and the Struggle to Renew Urban America in the Suburban Age by Lizabeth Cohen
- Shade: the Promise of a Forgotten Natural Resource by Sam Bloch
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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What happens when cities eliminate parking requirements? When curbside parking is priced at market rates? When parking revenue stays in the neighborhood instead of disappearing into general funds? These questions form the core of Donald Shoup's revolutionary approach to urban parking policy, explored in depth through Daniel Baldwin Hess's new book "The Shoup Doctrine."
Bringing together 37 contributors across 33 chapters, this festschrift celebrates the man who transformed parking from a mundane topic into one of urban planning's most dynamic areas of reform. As Hess explains, Shoup's background as an economist led him to view every parking instance as an economic transaction with hidden costs that profoundly shape our cities.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Sandrush: The Rival of the Beach in 20th Century Los Angeles by Elsa Devienne
- Get a copy of the book from the publisher: https://www.routledge.com/The-Shoup-Doctrine-Essays-Celebrating-Donald-Shoup-and-Parking-Reforms/Hess/p/book/9781032733920?srsltid=AfmBOor_oOVeYjVfiRDJhUR961ekHH5bzYi6Ug7GvS1gf_6n8CFpvqwE
- Check out our episode where we interviewed Donald Shoup on The High Cost of Free Parking back in year 1: https://www.bookedonplanning.com/podcast/episode/79419c03/the-high-cost-of-free-parking
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Housing affects every aspect of our lives, yet few of us truly understand the complex systems that determine where and how we live. In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Andrew Carswell, co-editor of "Introduction to Housing, Third Edition," we explore the fascinating evolution of housing markets and what the future might hold.
Carswell reveals how the timing of each edition coincided with pivotal moments in housing history—from the mid-2000s housing bubble to the uneven recovery period following the Great Recession, and now the pandemic era that fundamentally changed our relationship with home spaces.
Looking toward the future, several trends emerge: universal design principles for aging in place, accessory dwelling units for multigenerational living, and valuable lessons from international housing models where smaller spaces coexist with high quality of life. Perhaps most provocatively, Carswell suggests that declining global birth rates may soon have countries competing for immigrants rather than restricting them, as both new households and skilled construction labor become increasingly precious resources.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Mine!: The hidden rules of home ownership control our lives by Michael A. Heller and James Salzman
- Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
- YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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The racial wealth gap in Washington DC isn't what you think it is. While conventional wisdom suggests Black families couldn't access homeownership due to racist housing practices, author Tanya Maria Golash-Boza reveals a more complex and troubling reality. Drawing from her personal experience growing up in DC's Petworth neighborhood as one of the few white children in a predominantly Black community, Golash-Boza uncovers how systemic disinvestment prevented wealth accumulation despite significant increases in Black homeownership between 1940 and 1970.
However, as white families departed, they took businesses and tax dollars with them. Banks stopped lending in Black neighborhoods, leading to the gradual closure of theaters, grocery stores, and community amenities. The result? Property values remained flat for decades, preventing Black homeowners from building wealth through their largest asset. The urban crisis of the 1970s-80s compounded these challenges. As deindustrialization created a joblessness crisis affecting young Black men, the response was increased policing rather than addressing root causes.
Looking ahead, Golash-Boza suggests solutions require rethinking housing as a human right through decommodification and limited equity cooperatives. If you're concerned about housing affordability, racial justice, or urban policy, this conversation offers essential insights into how historical policies continue to shape our cities today.
Show Notes:
- Author Recommended Reading:
- Chocolate City by Derek Musgrove and Chris Myers Ash
- Cappuccino City by Derek Highra
- Black in Place by Brandy Summers
- African Americans and Gentrification in Washington DC by Sabiyha Prince
- Intersectional Listening by Ali Martin
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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What happens when you win a "free house" in one of America's most complicated real estate markets? Author Anne Elizabeth Moore pulls back the curtain on her experience receiving a donated house in Detroit through a writer's residency program that promised to solve her housing concerns while supporting her creative work. The dream quickly unravels as Moore discovers her "free" home carries hidden costs—not just financially, but ethically. With journalistic instinct and careful research, she uncovers that her house had been taken from Tamika Langford, a Black woman who had been making regular tax payments but lost her property through county foreclosure without proper notification. Moore's memoir takes us beyond her personal housing saga to examine the broader landscape of Detroit after the housing market crash.
Show Notes:
- 2022 Guardian Article Diving Deeper into Anne’s Story: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/18/detroit-house-free-property-tax
- Further Reading:
- Evicted by Matthew Desmond
- There is No Place for Us: Working and Homelessness in America By Brian Goldstone
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4mr2A0A or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Olsson
A nationally recognized, employee-owned engineering and design firm with a rich history of success.
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What makes our neighborhoods feel like home isn't just the buildings that surround us but the countless human connections that happen within them. Author Gabrielle Bendiner-Viani spent decades exploring this phenomenon by asking residents to guide her through their neighborhoods, showing her the places that matter most in their daily lives.
Her approach revealed something profound: places we might walk past without a second glance often contain rich histories and social significance for community members. Take the electronics store in Brooklyn where, years after the owner's death, his cricket-playing friends still gather every Thursday afternoon around a table in the back room. The store remains untouched, merchandise still on shelves, functioning as both informal memorial and vital community space. When planners see only a "redevelopment opportunity" in such places, they miss the essential community functions these spaces serve.
Ready to reconnect with your neighborhood's everyday places? Listen to our full conversation with Gabrielle Bendiner-Viani, then visit your local bookstore to pick up "The Cities We Need: Essential Stories of Everyday Places."
Show Notes:
- Buscada is Bendiner-Viani’s interdisciplinary practice, which creates vital spaces for dialogue to foster more just cities through art, strategic planning, and research.
- Get a copy of the book from the publisher MIT Press or check out other ways to buy from the authors website
- Author Recommended Reading:
- American Babylon: Race and the Struggle for Postwar Oakland by Robert O. Self
- Palestinian Walks by Raja Shehadeh
- The Road to Dalton by Shannon Bowring
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Confluence
A professional consulting firm comprised of landscape architects, urban designers and planners.
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The ground beneath our cities is shifting—literally in coastal areas facing sea level rise, but also conceptually as we grapple with what urbanism means in an era of profound environmental, technological, and social transformation.
Stephanie Wakefield's provocative exploration of Miami as a laboratory for climate adaptation challenges us to completely rethink how we imagine urban futures. Moving beyond simplistic narratives of doom or technological salvation, she maps the competing "imaginaries" that shape Miami's development: the relatively recent framing of the city as "sea level rise ground zero" versus newer visions of Miami as a crypto-capital or tech hub. These aren't just abstract ideas but powerful frameworks that directly influence what infrastructure gets built and how resources are allocated.
For anyone interested in the future of cities, climate adaptation, or how we might begin to imagine new forms of urban life in the Anthropocene, Wakefield's analysis offers a challenging and thought-provoking perspective.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Metamorphosis of the City: On the Western Dynamic by Pierre Menot
- The Salty Urbanism: A Design Manual for Coastal Zones by Jeff Huber and Diana Mitsova
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4lkjw7G or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
RDG Planning & Design
Architects, landscape architects, engineers, artists & planners with a drive to make a difference.
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Resilience is much more than just bouncing back after a disaster. Over the past decade, as climate impacts have intensified, our understanding of what makes communities truly resilient has evolved dramatically. In this conversation with Laurie Mazur, editor of Island Press's "Resilience Matters: 10 Years of Transformative Thinking," we explore how climate resilience has transformed from buzzword to essential framework.
Show Notes:
- Author Recommended Reading:
- Climate Action for Busy People by Cate Mingoya-LaFortune
- Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation by Danielle Arigoni
- Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change by Peter Newman and Timothy Beatley
- Resilience Thinking: Sustaining Ecosystems and People in a Changing World by Brian Walker
- Heat Wave: A social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago by Eric Klinenberg
- The Urban Ocean Lab run by Ayana Elizabeth https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/
- Download your own copy of Resilience Matters from Island Press at https://islandpress.org/ten-years-transformative-thinking
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Marvin Planning Consultants
Serving the planning needs of communities and counties in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest.
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Addiction, mental illness, or poverty may explain why an individual may lose their housing—but these factors fail to explain why Seattle has five times more homelessness than Chicago. Through rigorous analysis, Colburn demonstrates that high rent prices and low vacancy rates are the true culprits behind regional homelessness variations. This revelation transforms how we should approach solutions.
Colburn advocates reframing housing as essential infrastructure—just as we invest billions in roads and transit without controversy, we must prioritize housing development as a public necessity. This perspective shift could unlock the political will needed to address our housing shortage crisis meaningfully.
Whether you're a policymaker, planner, or concerned citizen, this conversation offers crucial insights for understanding and addressing one of America's most persistent challenges. Listen now to discover how changing our approach to housing could transform our response to homelessness.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Neighborhood Defenders: Participatory Politics and America’s Housing Crisis by Katherine Levine Einstein
- When We Walk By: Forgotten Humanity, Broken Systems, and the Role We Can Each Play in Ending Homelessness in America by Donald Burns and Kevin Adler
- There is No Place for Us: Working and Homelessness in America By Brian Goldstone
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4mr2A0A or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
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What if shopping malls weren't just retail spaces, but carefully designed social hubs that reveal profound truths about American culture? Alexandra Lange's "Meet Me by the Fountain" takes us on a fascinating journey through the unexpected origins and evolution of one of America's most influential architectural forms.
Throughout our conversation, Lange uncovers surprising connections between malls and urbanism. Despite their reputation as anti-urban spaces, malls offer valuable lessons in creating environments where people actually want to spend time. Climate control, ample seating, accessible restrooms, and opportunities for both planned meetings and chance encounters—these simple amenities are often overlooked in our public urban spaces but prove crucial for creating functional social environments.
Show Notes:
- Author Recommended Reading:
- Radical Suburbs: Experimental Living on the Fringes of the American City by Amanda Hurley
- The Harvard Design School to Shopping edited by Rem Koolhaus
- When Women Ran 5th Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion by Julie Satow
- Claire: The little girl who climbed to the top and changed the way women dress by Debra Scala Giokas
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/44G44gK or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
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Libraries have always been pillars of knowledge in our communities, but their role is evolving far beyond book repositories. As author Shamichael Hallman reveals, these vital public institutions now serve as rare neutral spaces where people from all backgrounds can gather, connect, and rebuild the civic muscles we've lost in our increasingly polarized society.
What makes libraries uniquely positioned for this work? First, they offer something increasingly rare—barrier-free indoor public spaces where anyone can enter regardless of income, education, or background. In an era of commercial third places that require purchases, libraries welcome everyone with no expectation beyond respectful coexistence. Second, libraries already function as spaces of sharing, from books to meeting rooms to specialized equipment. Finally, their commitment to neutrality and free access to diverse perspectives creates safe environments for exploring ideas without judgment.
Show Notes:
- Author Recommended Reading: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek, The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
- 2023 Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community
- Living Room Conversations for ideas on community conversations with a guide for assistance
- Discoveries: the Library at the Mall
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/43ZIJif or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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A new perspective on preservation is the topic of our conversation with Erica Avrami on her groundbreaking book "Second Order Preservation." This episode challenges everything you thought you knew about historic preservation, pushing beyond the binary "listed or not listed" mentality that has dominated the field for decades.
What happens when we shift from seeing preservation as merely saving buildings to understanding it as a powerful tool for social justice and climate action? Avrami reveals how our current policies often privilege certain histories while inadvertently erasing others. She questions whether our designation systems truly serve the broader public and introduces a framework that considers who benefits—and who is burdened—by preservation decisions.
The conversation extends beyond theory to practical paths forward, examining how we might reform preservation policies to better serve communities. Rather than abandoning preservation altogether, Avrami calls for a more intentional approach that evaluates the long-term impacts of our decisions and considers preservation as the freedom to transfer heritage across generations.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading:
- Preserving the Vanishing City by Stephanie Ryberg-Webster
- Reconstructing the Garrick: Adler & Sullivan’s Lost Masterpiece by Tim Samuelson, Eric Nordstrom, Chris Ware, and John Vinci
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3FZ92en or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com
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Join us as we discuss the world of systems thinking with Beth Sawin author of "Multisolving: Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World." Far from being an abstract academic concept, multisolving offers a practical framework that reveals how seemingly separate challenges—from climate change to public health to economic development—can be addressed simultaneously with thoughtfully designed interventions.
Beth takes complex systems theories and makes them accessible through everyday examples. She explains how filling a bathtub helps us understand housing shortages, and how our body's response to thirst demonstrates the power of balancing feedback loops. These relatable analogies unlock a powerful way of seeing the world that planners, community leaders, and change-makers can immediately apply to their work.
Whether you're a seasoned systems thinker or completely new to these concepts, this episode will transform how you approach complex problems and help you discover multisolving opportunities hiding in plain sight.
Show Notes:
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4i0SwIV or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- Further Reading:
- From What Is to What If by Rob Hopkins
- The Equitably Resilient City by Zachary Lamb and Lawrence Vale
- Learn more at The Multisolving Institute where Beth works
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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The world of planning is transforming at a rapid pace, and staying ahead requires more than just reacting to change—it demands foresight. In this conversation, we welcome back Petra Hurtado to discuss the American Planning Association's 2025 Trend Report, now in its fourth year of helping planners anticipate the forces reshaping our communities.
Petra highlights how "the only constant is accelerating change," explaining the sophisticated trend scouting process that brings diverse perspectives together to identify crucial developments across multiple fields. From technology to climate, work patterns to public spaces, the report categorizes trends into actionable timeframes: Act Now, Prepare, and Learn and Watch.
Ready to future-proof your planning approach? Download the complete 2025 Trend Report from APA's website and start incorporating these insights into your community's planning process today.
Show Notes:
- Check out the full report on APA’s website here.
- Trend Universe: https://planning.org/foresight/trends/
- Further Reading:
- The Good Ancestor by Roman Krznaric
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
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This episode captures a vision of creating resilient communities that are not only eco-friendly but also accessible and inviting. We explore the five central themes of "The Sustainable Urban Design Handbook," with author Kaarin Knudson's, offering insights on energy efficiency, community connectivity, and innovative design strategies that cater to diverse urban settings.
Show Notes:
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3EKly0z or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- Further Reading:
- Homelessness is a Housing Problem by Greg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Steven Robinson joins us to unravel the captivating saga of how dedicated activists thwarted the massive 1990s Television City development on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Imagine the world's tallest building casting a shadow over a vibrant community, threatening its cultural and environmental essence. Our conversation with Robinson shines a spotlight on the resilience and ingenuity of local groups like West Pride and the Civics, who banded together to preserve their neighborhood's diverse character against a looming monolith of luxury towers and retail chaos.
Show Notes:
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4gHgBTF or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- Further Reading:
- Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
- The Living City by Roberta Gratz
- The Well Tempered City by Jonathan F.P. Rose
- Fighting Westway by William Buzbee
- Changing Places by Richard Moe and Carter Wilkie
To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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In this episode we sit down with Michael Eliason, the architect behind "Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low-Carbon Communities." Michael unveils the potential of eco-districts as a transformative alternative to the all-too-often car-centric and monotonous transit-oriented developments found in the U.S. Drawing from his extensive research in Europe and China, he casts a spotlight on how cities prioritize ecological orientation and community vibrancy, offering a path to creating sustainable, affordable, and engaging urban spaces.
Show Notes:
- Transit cost project referenced: https://transitcosts.com/about/
- Recommended Reading:
- Soft City by David Sim
- Inclusive Transportation by Veronica Davis
- Movement by Marco Giugni
- Everyday Utopia by Kristen Ghodsee
- Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/40U6Xs4 or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- Further Reading:
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Have you ever stopped to consider how you would get through your day if driving wasn't an option? We get into this question during our conversation with Anna Zivarts, author of "When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency." Anna's journey, shaped by living with nystagmus, unveils the challenges and daily realities faced by non-drivers in a predominantly car-dependent society. From disabled individuals to those who simply can't afford a vehicle, Anna sheds light on an often-overlooked demographic and their need for equitable transportation solutions. Her insights encourage a deeper understanding and empathy towards fostering inclusive urban environments.
Show Notes
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4hf4aPH or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- Further Reading:
- Exploding the Phone by Phil Lapsley
- Bartering with the Bones of Their Dead by Laurie Arnold
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Marvin Planning Consultants
Serving the planning needs of communities and counties in Nebraska and throughout the Midwest.
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Author Alison Sant joins us to discuss the transformations needed in urban settings to combat climate change and systemic racism. Her book, "From the Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient Cities," serves as a lens through which we examine the impact of historical policies that have shaped today's urban landscapes. Together, we reveal how cities like New Orleans and Baltimore are grappling with these issues and the ways local, community-led efforts are paving the path toward resilience and equity.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Inclusive Transportation by Veronica Davis, The Power Broker by Robert Caro (50th Anniversary of the Book), The Movement by Clara Bingham
- Alison contributed a few articles to Island Press’s last Resilience Matters compilation. Check is out at https://islandpress.org/resilience-matters-download
- Check out more from Alison at https://alisonsant.com/
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4gpYbHO or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore! You can also purchase through the publisher Island Press and use the discount code Ground.
To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
JEO Consulting Group
JEO is a full-service firm offering engineering, architecture, surveying & planning in the Midwest.
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Could corporate disinformation be quietly steering our perceptions and political actions? Join us as we engage with Grant Ennis, the author of "Dark PR: How Corporate Disinformation Undermines Our Health and the Environment." Ennis sheds light on the sophisticated strategies corporations use to manipulate public narratives and divert attention from crucial political actions. We discuss how framing influences discourse and underscores the significance of organized political movements in driving genuine change, rather than being sidetracked by superficial solutions and the misleading promise of panacea frames.
Show Notes:
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3P5oRS2 or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- Further Reading: The Big Myth - How American Business Taught Us to Loath Government and Love the Free Market by Naomi Oreskes, No Short Cuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age by Jane McAlevey, If We Burn by Vincent Bevins
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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In our latest episode we are joined by Sara Bronin, the brilliant mind behind "Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World." With a blend of historical insight and visionary thinking, Sara navigates the intricate world of zoning, advocating for strategic enhancements rather than radical abolition. Imagine neighborhoods unshackled from outdated regulations, poised for vibrant growth and adaptability. Discover how zoning can be a catalyst for cultural resurgence with examples from cities like Nashville and Chicago, and how it addresses (or ignores) environmental challenges in areas like Scottsdale and Tucson. This conversation promises to reshape your understanding of zoning's potential as we explore how zoning transcends private domains to revolutionize public spaces.
Show Notes:
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/491LWOJ or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- Further Reading:
- America’s Frozen Neighborhoods: The Abuse of Zoning by Robert Elickson
- Arbitrary Lines by Nolan Gray and check out our episode recording with Nolan here.
- The Power Broker by Robert Caro
- The National Zoning Atlas project mentioned by Sara: https://www.zoningatlas.org/
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Ever heard of the MUTCD? Most have not, but this influential document has been shaping U.S. road design since 1935, often prioritizing vehicle flow at the expense of pedestrian safety. We break down the controversial 85th percentile rule, which can lead to increased speed limits, and discuss how the MUTCD hinders creative urban design solutions like decorative crosswalks through our review of Sarah Bronin and Gregory Schill's article Rewriting the Nation's Deadly Traffic Manual. With roadway deaths on the rise, hear our critical arguments for reforming this manual to strike a better balance between traffic efficiency and the safety of all road users.
Show Notes:
- Read the full article at https://harvardlawreview.org/forum/vol-134/rewriting-our-nations-deadly-traffic-manual/
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Why are our roads unsafe, and who is to blame? Transportation expert Wes Marshall joins us to unravel the myths behind traffic engineering, revealing a surprising truth: the science we trust to keep us safe on the road might be more fiction than fact. With his provocative book "Killed by a Traffic Engineer: Shattering the Delusion that Science Underlies Our Transportation System," Wes aims to spark a critical reevaluation within the engineering community and beyond. Our discussion navigates the murky waters of road safety priorities, exposing the stark contrast between common fender benders and high-speed highway fatalities. The episode calls into question the societal and systemic factors that prioritize speed and power over human lives, emphasizing the urgent need to rethink the metrics and methodologies that guide our transportation systems.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Walkable City by Jeff Speck, Inclusive Transportation by Veronica Davis, Right of Way by Angie Schmitt, Transit Metropolis by Robert Cervero, The Bicycle City by Dan Piatkowski, Human Transit by Jarrett Walker, When Driving is not an Option by Anna Zivarts
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3YwX6aA or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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We discuss the potential of high-performance buildings as we sit down with Robert Sroufe, Craig Stevenson, and Beth Eckenrode, the minds behind "The Power of Existing Buildings." Imagine transforming existing structures into sustainable powerhouses by prioritizing passive systems, upgrading active systems, and embracing renewables in that order. Our conversation dismantles the myth of prohibitive costs in building redevelopment, advocating instead for a holistic view that values long-term benefits, operational savings, and enhanced occupant health.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Articles on connecting buildings to technology because the industry is moving so quickly to connect to macro trends (Nexus Labs, Construction Industry Journal, Passive House Accelerator); Creating Trinity by Gary Chesson; Developing Supply Chains to Drive Value by Robert Sroufe; ESG Mindset by Matthew Sekol
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4eWt85c or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Consider a new way to transform communities with insights from Mack McCarter, author of "How to Remake the World, Neighborhood by Neighborhood." Discover how positive relationships can serve as the foundation for thriving communities and address the age-old issue of societal collapse. By learning from historical studies and successful community initiatives, you'll gain a fresh perspective on fostering resilience and growth through genuine connections.
We discuss how love, commitment, and caring relationships can transform individual lives and entire neighborhoods. The conversation highlights the profound impact of prioritizing relational foundations. Inspired by examples from Shreveport and beyond, we delve into the challenges and successes of nurturing a caring community ethos that spans various institutions.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: A Study of History by Arnold Toynbee, The Philosophy of Civilization by Albert Schweitzer, and Lewis Mumford’s books: the City in History, the Culture of Cities, and the Transformations of Man.
- Resources on the We Care Team discussed in the show: https://communityrenewal.us/renewal-team/
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3TVsooN or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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How can city planners join in the fight against climate change? Join us as we discuss the American Planning Association's Climate Change Policy Guide. We'll dissect the significance of federal funding under the Biden administration, explore the pressing need for ongoing advocacy in transitioning to clean energy, and ponder the future of regulatory rulemaking following the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo. Shifting gears to state and local initiatives, we'll spotlight the climate policy efforts in Nebraska and Lincoln, emphasizing the critical importance of coordination between governments, accountability measures, and best practice frameworks for success. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion on building resilient and sustainable communities through forward-thinking climate policies.
Show Notes:
- Check out the APA Climate Change Policy Guide at https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/publication/download_pdf/Climate-Change-Policy-Guide.pdf.
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Discover how cities can become more resilient to climate change by focusing on the needs of older adults. Join us as we sit down with Danielle Arigoni, the author behind "Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation." Danielle sheds light on the often-overlooked challenges that older populations face during climate-fueled disasters. From gaps in housing and public transit to emergency preparedness, you'll learn why integrating climate and aging planning efforts is crucial for community resilience.
Explore the heightened vulnerabilities faced by older adults in marginalized communities and the limitations of relying on individual preparedness. Through examples from recent local events, we highlight the transformative power of community-based disaster readiness and the essential role of neighborly support. Danielle discusses innovative, community-driven strategies in cities like Portland and New Orleans, demonstrating how targeted efforts can significantly bolster climate resilience for seniors.
Finally, we delve into proactive measures that communities can take to protect their aging populations. Learn about the crucial work of Area Agencies on Aging and the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, and how these entities can partner with local planners. From shaded public transit stops to special needs registries and accessible disaster communication, Danielle shares actionable steps to create inclusive, resilient environments for older adults. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in safeguarding our most vulnerable populations against climate risks.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Understanding Disaster Insurance by Carollyn Kousky (Island Press) and When Driving is Not an Option by Anna Ziverts,
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3X7UWNN or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Episode artwork by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash
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Ever wondered why some neighborhoods transform seemingly overnight while others remain unchanged? This episode looks into the complex web of gentrification through three articles published in the last few years. We kick off with a deep dive into the term's origins and its multifaceted meanings, drawing from an insightful article by Planetizen. Along the way, we tackle the often misunderstood triggers of gentrification and challenge the conventional wisdom that luxury condos are the main culprits, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, as discussed in a compelling piece from The Atlantic.
We then shift gears to explore recurring trends, comparing shifts from the early 20th century with those from the 1980s and 1990s. Drawing on Leslie Kern's book, "Gentrification is Inevitable and Other Lies," we unravel how remote work is shaping smaller cities and the varied pressures behind gentrification across regions. Our discussion underscores the necessity of involving local residents in community development to ensure new amenities benefit existing communities, not just newcomers. We also highlight the limitations of market-rate housing and call for improved public engagement in urban planning. This episode is packed with nuanced insights and actionable ideas to better understand and address the complexities of gentrification.
Show Notes:
- Episode Articles:
- The Pandemic Disproved Urban Progressives’ Theory About Gentrification: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/06/dc-solar-power-ponzi-scheme-scandal/673782/
- Gentrification is Complicated. But It’s Not Inevitable: https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/gentrification-is-inevitable-and-other-lies-leslie-kern
- What Is Gentrification? https://www.planetizen.com/definition/gentrification
- PlanetMoney Reel on Gentrification: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8U3_b4vFCW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Episode artwork by Georgia de Lotz on Unsplash
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In this episode, author Dennis Gale introduces us to the concept of embryonic gentrification, a nuanced and early version of gentrification as we know it driven by individual homeowners and market forces that existed before the corporate-dominated gentrification of the 1980s. We explore how this earlier form of neighborhood transformation focused on building renovations rather than new constructions, and how it managed to attract new residents while minimizing displacement.
Discover the unexpected allure of historic neighborhoods in cities like DC, New York, and Boston. Dennis sheds light on why these areas, with their rich architectural heritage and nostalgic charm, became prime targets for early gentrifiers. We delve into the rise of the national historic preservation movement and its role in shaping urban landscapes, making them appealing to those seeking shorter commutes and vibrant, diverse living environments. As we transition to the 1980s and beyond, we discuss how advanced gentrification attracted a broader demographic, contributing to the urban revival narrative while raising new challenges.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: There Was Nothing There by Sara Martucci and Before Gentrification by Tanya Maria Golash-Boza
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/468jpWm or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Episode artwork by Josh Wilburne on Unsplash
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Dwell time, the time in which it takes for a cleaning product to work on a targeted material in art conservation, serves as a profound metaphor for the immigrant experience in author Rosa Lowinger's book of the same name. "Dwell Time: A Memoir of Art, Exile, and Repair", begins with Rosa's family's escape from Jewish persecution to their new home in Cuba, and then eventually to their new life in America, sharing how these experiences laid the foundation for her career in art conservation. Inspired by Primo Levi, Rosa’s memoir is uniquely organized around different conservation materials, blending her professional expertise with deeply personal stories. Art isn't just about aesthetics; it’s a powerful storyteller and a cornerstone of community identity.
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Can empathy change the way we design our cities? Join us as we navigate this compelling question with Elgin Cleckley, author of "Empathic Design: Perspectives on Creating Inclusive Spaces." Through Elgin’s expert insights, we explore how empathy in design goes beyond aesthetics, focusing on how the built environment can recognize and honor identity, culture, history, memory, and place. We highlight the powerful story of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, shining a light on the harrowing yet pivotal narrative of John Henry James, a Black ice cream salesman lynched in 1898, and its touching connection to Charlottesville, Virginia. We also delve into impactful projects like Nina Cook-John’s Harriet Tubman Memorial and Liz Ogbu’s storytelling unit in Hunter's Point, which use materials to transform spaces and foster human connections. Joyce Hwang’s innovative creations, including the Habitat Wall and pollinator lounges, push the boundaries of design by considering both human and animal needs. These discussions underscore the crucial role of fostering a new generation of empathic designers who are deeply attuned to their natural surroundings and local communities.
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This episode, with guest, Jason Jordan, APA's Public Affairs Director, promises to equip you with actionable strategies from the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook, a groundbreaking resource designed to unite planners, developers, realtors, and banking officials. Learn how this playbook can empower local leaders to create diverse, attainable, and equitable housing options, fostering civil dialogue among stakeholders to address pressing housing challenges.
We'll also tackle the pivotal issue of skilled labor shortages and the transformative power of training and apprenticeship programs. Hear insights from Montana Governor Gianforte as we explore the complex interplay between housing policies and broader social and economic issues. This episode sheds light on innovative approaches beyond traditional zoning and land-use regulations, providing a holistic view of how communities can collaboratively overcome housing hurdles.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Excluded by Richard Kahlenberg, Paved Paradise by Henry Graber, Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City by Jorge Almazan
- Download your copy of the Housing Supply Accelerator today at https://planning.org/housing-supply-accelerator/
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Discover the future of housing with author Diana Lind as we explore innovative solutions for smarter, simpler, and happier living. Can accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and co-living arrangements be the answer to our housing crisis? We'll discuss the benefits of these options, the possibility of enforcing maximum size requirements for single-family homes, and dive deep into the historical shift from multi-generational living to the isolated single-family home model.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Fixer Upper by Jennie Schuetz, Arbitrary Lines by M. Nolan Gray, Color of Law by Richard Rothstein, and Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4aLicok or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Cover art by Liz Sanchez-Vegas on Unsplash
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In a follow up to Bicycle City, we discuss an older, but no less relevant book--Street Fight by Janette Sadik-Khan. The title may be misleading for those in the planning profession, but it truly is the story of a fight over space in the streets. Space for not only cars, but pedestrians and bicyclists too. So many years were devoted to building six lane in town "highways" that our cities have become inhospitable places for individuals that either have to or choose to walk or bike to get around. While working as the Transportation Commissioner in New York City, Janette changed the way not only New Yorkers, but cities across the U.S. thought about who our streets should be designed for.
The poster child for turning space back over to pedestrians covered in this episode and the book is Times Square's transformation from congested roads to people-first spaces. It wasn't just about adding lawn chairs—it was a statement, a proof of concept that has since spurred economic growth and improved quality of life. Dive into the heart of urban revolution with us, where advocacy meets action, leadership strides forward, and the role of planners in political realms is not just envisioned but enacted.
Show Notes:
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4bh9K1l or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Episode Artwork via Curbed New York
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May is Bike Month and it timed perfect to interview Dan Piatkowski on his book coming out this month titled "Bicycle City: Riding the Bike Boom to a Brighter Future." Our conversation sheds light on the power of e-bikes as vehicles for sustainable urban transport. We tackle the questions around electric vehicles and their true impact on city design, challenging the prevalent notion that technological advancement alone can solve our environmental issues. We also examine the agility of urban centers during times of crisis, drawing parallels to the rapid changes seen in response to the pandemic and the lessons we can carry forward for climate action. As we wrap up this episode, the notion of 'car light' living steers us toward a vision of cities abundant with walkable streets and bike paths that are inclusive for all.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Dark PR by Grant Ennis, Autonorama by Peter Norton, Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt; Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall, When Driving is not an Option by Anna Zivarts.
- Further Utopian Reading: The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin, William Gibson's work, Cory Doctorow’s work
- To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3yb8pdM or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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This episode offers a glimpse into the 2024 Trend Report published by the American Planning Association, providing planners with the foresight to navigate our rapidly evolving world. The report is not just predicting the future it's equipping readers with the tools to shape it. Our discussion with Petra Hurtado illuminates how the trends detailed in the report will influence community development, technological advances, and societal shifts, all while emphasizing the necessity of integrating these insights into everyday urban planning.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Ministry of the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson, The Good Ancestor by Roman Krznaric and, Utopia for Realists by Rutger Gregman
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Discover the untold stories of America's most resilient towns with Michelle Wild Anderson, whose book "The Fight to Save the Town: Reimagining Discarded America" weaves a compelling narrative of hope and renewal. In this episode we talk about how local governments and everyday citizens band together to overcome adversity with stories like the reopening of an Oregon library, the spirited comeback of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and the spirit of Detroit as they bounce back as beacons of community strength. Join us as we peel back the layers of skepticism surrounding local government and reveal the strategies that help restore trust and empower citizens.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: Race for Profit by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Fulfillment by Alec MacGillis, and Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Our latest episode dives into the articles covered in the 2024 edition of Island Press's "Resilience Matters" compilation. We cover the growing needs of our aging population during environmental disasters, the essential role mental health plays for frontline climate workers, and how regenerative farming is forging a path toward a healthier planet among many other important resiliency topics.
Show Notes:
- Get your copy of Resilience Matters: Flourishing in an Era of Extremes, a compilation of 50 hopeful and life-affirming articles written by leading experts on the topics of climate adaptation and justice; sustainable, equitable communities; policy and funding; and environment and health.
- Check out the 2023 episode covering Resilience Matters: Collective Action for Healthier Communities at: https://www.bookedonplanning.com/podcast/episode/7822fd81/resilience-matters
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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In this episode author Michelle Moore of "Rural Renaissance" joins us to unveil the transformative potential of clean energy in America's small and rural communities. This episode offers an eye-opening perspective on how rural cooperatives and public power companies are not just energy providers, but economic drivers in small towns. Michelle's insights are an invitation to envision a future powered by more than just electricity, but by the values that underpin rural cooperatives and public power providers.
Show Notes:
- Further Reading: California Burning by Katherine Blunt
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash
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Discover the secrets of vibrant urban spaces as we navigate the wisdom of the legendary urbanist William Whyte and his Street Life Project. Our conversation delves into the alchemy of turning concrete plazas into bustling hubs of community life, examining how built-in seating and the right balance of sunlight and shade can lead to success. We also scrutinize the controversial practice of hostile design, which raises ethical questions about who gets to enjoy our public spaces.
Show Notes:
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
- https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8mpdo3
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In this episode we talk with author Richard Rein who illuminates the life and work of the extraordinary William H. Whyte. Rein's revelations, based on his book "American Urbanist: How William Whyte's Unconventional Wisdom Reshaped Public Life," shed light on how Whyte's discerning eye for public spaces revolutionized urban design. Our discussion traverses the path from Whyte's iconic "The Organization Man" to his trailblazing stance on pedestrian-friendly cities.
Show Notes:
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
- Marine Corps Gazette https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/serial?id=marinecorpsgazette
- Further Reading: Suburban Nation by Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Jeff Speck, Arbitrary Lines by M. Nolan Gray, Paved Paradise by Henry Graber
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In the follow up episode to Beyond Greenways, we discuss a 2011 article Putting Greenways First by Randall Arendt. His article highlights how these corridors not only enhance community health but also weave nature into our daily commutes and activities. We discuss some real-world examples of great greenway design and how impactful they can be when designed first, with the rest of the development following.
Show Notes:
- Link to article referenced in the episode: https://planning.org/planning/2011/aug/greenwaysfirst.htm
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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In this episode with author Robert Searns of Beyond Greenways: the next step for city trails and walking routes, we discuss the potential of destination walks like Tucson's turquoise trail and Denver's 5280 Trail, to do more than connect points A to B. As we meander through this conversation, we uncover the profound impact of physical wayfinding on our daily urban adventures. It's not just about getting from place to place but also about the cultural landmarks, tree-lined medians, and rest areas that turn a simple stroll into a vibrant communal experience. By listening to our chat, you'll step closer to envisioning a future where every step through our cities fosters a more connected, healthy, and vibrant community.
Show Notes:
- Further reading on the topic:
- Out of Istanbul by Bernard Ollivier
- The Thunder Tree by Robert Michael Pyle
- Dan Burden Guides on Complete Streets
- Any Books on Ultra Light Backpacking
To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Episode Artwork by Tim Gouw on Unsplash
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Ready to venture into the future of urban planning? Join us as we discuss the 2023 Trend Report from the American Planning Association, spotlighting transformative trends that every planner should be aware of. From digitization and geoengineering to gender expansiveness and local priorities, we unpack the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Hear our thoughts on the booming manufacturing sector, the burgeoning creator class, and the intriguing potential of the metaverse in planning. We wrap up season two by pondering what the next 20 years might hold for the planning industry. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation as we forecast the future and reflect on our journey so far.
Show Notes:
- Download your copy of the 2023 Trend Report at https://www.planning.org/publications/document/9263250/
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Ready to challenge the status quo of architectural design? This episode, we sit down with Corey Squire, author of "People, Planet, Design: A Practical Guide to Realizing Architecture's Potential," to dissect the impact of design on our everyday lives and the possibilities it harbors for creating sustainable, equitable buildings. Through a fascinating discourse on design excellence, indoor air quality, and our energy sources, we invite you to question the effect of design on our built environment and the progressive steps we can take for a positive future.
Show Notes:
- Get a copy of the book, just released in November at https://islandpress.org/books/people-planet-design
- Additional Recommended Reading: Happy City by Charles Montgomery, Healthy Building by Joseph Allan, Scale by Goeffrey West
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Cover art by Alexander Abero on Unsplash
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This episode pulls back the curtain on the intriguing economics of our shared spaces, grapples with the tragedy of the commons, and how urban density is a resource under threat. We debate the possibility of cultivating denser neighborhoods by revisiting parking requirements, minimum setbacks and lot sizes.
In a refreshing twist, we also introduce the concept of the comedy of the commons, illustrating how shared spaces, when handled collectively, can forge community solidarity and benefit the collective. We'll transport you to Italy, where the Co-City project in Bologna paints a vibrant picture of the urban commons at its best. We also consider the empowering framework of the 'right to the city', exploring how it invites citizens to participate in the decision-making processes that shape their urban living. From community gardens to land trusts to microgrids, tune in as we chart a course through the complexities of urban planning and resource management.
Show notes:
- First article mentioned: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2022/5/3/suburban-design-is-a-tragedy-of-the-commons
- Second article mentioned: https://www.thenatureofcities.com/2016/11/02/the-co-city-from-the-tragedy-to-the-comedy-of-the-urban-commons/
Episode artwork by M. X. on Unsplash
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This week we are resharing an episode from a great weekly show about the intersection between sustainable transportation, urban planning, and economic development. It's hosted by Jeff Wood of The Overhead Wire and we think you will really enjoy it.
This episode is an interview with Dr. Jennifer Kent, Senior Research Fellow in Urbanism at the University of Sydney, to talk about her work on family transportation, the messiness of travel for parents, and loneliness and the built environment.
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In this episode we talk with author Mimi Sheller on her book, "Mobility Justice: the Politics of Movement in an Age of Extremes," and how mobility justice transcends beyond just transportation access to include broader aspects like the right to the city and freedom to move between countries.
We also explore its intricate connections with urbanization, migration, and climate change. Ranging from women's rights to movement and unequal access issues faced by minority populations, our conversation crosses the boundaries of nations, delving into the power dynamics embedded in passports and the global freedom of movement. We'll make you question how cities approach mobility and its justice in the new mobilities paradigm.
Show Notes:
- Recommended further readings:
- Collisions at the Crossroads by Genevieve Carpio
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Episodes Artwork: by Max Bender on Unsplash
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Ever wondered how urban planning and wildlife can co-exist harmoniously? We kickstart our conversation in Minneapolis, sharing insights about bird-safe glass and how it safeguards our feathered friends from fatal collisions with buildings. Our path then takes us to San Francisco, where we explore the city's mandatory bird-safe designs for new constructions and sizable renovations. As we further embrace the role of ordinances in fostering urban biodiversity, we delve into Portland's eco-roof program. We also touch on landscape policies that champion native plants over grass, leading to water conservation and increased biodiversity. If you've ever been curious about how our cities can protect biodiversity and how zoning influences urban wildlife, you won't want to miss this episode!
Show Notes:
- To download a copy of the article: https://planning.org/publications/document/9006907/
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
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Prepare for a fascinating exploration of the unsung urban ecosystems with author Peter Alagona. We'll navigate the intricate ecological and historical facets of his book Accidental Ecosystems, tracing the evolution of urban parks, the impact of climate change on human-wildlife interactions, and the implications of zoonotics. Venturing into the green realm of urban parks, we'll examine their metamorphosis from pastoral to forest-like settings. Together, we'll unravel Central Park's genesis and the often misconstrued concept of wilderness, while casting a critical eye on the North American Model's approach to wildlife management. At the end of our conversation we get into the pressing concern of biological diversity loss and its far-reaching implications.
Show Notes:
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
- To learn more about Peter and his work visit https://www.peteralagona.com/about
- To dive deeper into the Gotham Coyote project check out https://www.gothamcoyote.org/
- Recommended further readings from Peter:
- Beloved Beasts by Michelle Nyhouse, a history of conservation of the United States
- Pests by Bethany Brookshire, a discussion of why certain animals in certain contexts are labeled pests
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In this months article episode we're taking a deep dive into the transformative Sister Cities Project. The brainchild of Sean McClondon, this groundbreaking initiative began with a straightforward social media post and has since grown into a powerful platform that breaks down racial divides, fostering tolerance and unity.
Turn up the volume as we dissect the Sister Cities Project and its profound impact on San Diego County. From its roots in the 9th-century sister city concept, we explore how cultural understanding and strategic connections have been fostered between the affluent and the underserved within the same region. We also unpack how this unique approach can be replicated in our own communities. Whether it's the Block Twins project or potential neighborhood-level sister cities initiatives, this episode is a testament to the power of a single idea to spark meaningful conversations and drive significant societal change.
Show Notes:
- To join the substack mentioned in the episode go to: https://justaction.substack.com/p/introducing-the-sister-cities-project
- To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Episode Artwork by Shane Rounce on Unsplash
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In this episode Leah Rothstein underscores the need for a revitalized civil rights movement. We explore examples of communities that have succeeded in peeling back policies and actions that have led to segregated cities and have begun to break down silos. The power of visualization in bridging racial divides is brought to life by discussing the inspiring Map Twins project led by Tanika Johnson in Chicago. Leah further highlights the importance of professional involvement and biracial and multi-ethnic committees in this fight. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation, as we discuss her book Just Action and a clear plan of action towards racial justice.
Show Notes:
- The substack mentioned in the show is a regular column that updates, elaborates on, and comments on the issues discussed in Just Action: Subscriptions to it are free
- Leah’s recommended reading list includes The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee, Poverty, by America and Evicted by Matthew Demsond, and Golden Gates by Conor Dougherty
- To read the transcripts click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com
- Map Twins Project: https://www.foldedmapproject.com/map-twins
Episode artwork by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
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Ever wondered how mobility justice could revolutionize city planning and transportation strategy? Get ready to challenge the status quo as we dive into the fascinating world of human-centered transportation systems by reviewing a few recent American Planning Association interviews with Naomi Dorner and Tamika Butler. Dorner, an urban planning expert and transportation strategist, introduces us to the concept of mobility justice, a term that underscores the need for people to move freely without fear or anxiety. But, how can you encapsulate community's needs and wants into raw numbers? Butler illuminates us on the distinction between knowledge and wisdom, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in truly interpreting their needs.
Show Notes:
- Navigating Mobility Justice with Naomi Doerner: https://planning.org/podcast/navigating-mobility-justice-with-naomi-doerner/
- Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning with Tamika Butler: https://planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-tamika-butler/
- The Untokening Principles: http://www.untokening.org/updates/2017/11/11/untokening-10-principles-of-mobility-justice
- Intersections + Identities: A Radical Rethinking of Our Transportation Experiences: https://planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/2022_SoTP_Web.pdf
Transcripts: To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/
Episode artwork by Bailey Alexander via Unsplash
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How often do we consider the intersectionality of transportation and community-building? That's what we unravel with Veronica O. Davis, author of Inclusive Transportation: a Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities. We venture beyond the conventional realm of transportation planning, shedding light on how it weaves into the fabric of our communities. Veronica's unique perspective on transportation planning, the challenges it presents, and the potential solutions are insightful and something you wouldn’t want to miss.
In our engaging discourse, we examine the concept of embedding equity into our planning processes. We discuss the obstacles in achieving this, making it equally critical and complex. Veronica navigates us through a comprehensive roadmap of how to approach this, emphasizing the significance of prioritizing community needs. Additionally, we also brush upon our own transportation journeys and how our individual experiences shape our stance on urban planning.
As we steer towards the end, we delve into the realm of practical challenges in transportation planning. We touch upon the value of quick-fix solutions, the power of transparency in decision-making, and the need for leaders in the field to express their decisions more openly. Join us to explore a new perspective on this often overlooked aspect of urban planning.
Show Notes:
- The book Veronica referenced as being impactful on her views: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- Stephanie’s Transportation Story: https://www.theplanninglady.com/blog/transportation-story
- Stat on motor vehicle deaths as for children mentioned in the show: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc2201761#:~:text=The%20previous%20analysis%2C%20which%20examined,to%2019%20years%20of%20age.
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In this quick 10 minute episode, we discuss the APA article In Defence of Local Zoning which holds up our 100 year old tradition of land regulation. Earlier this month we talked with author M. Nolan Gray on his recent book Arbitrary Lines which makes the bold statement that we should do away with zoning regulations. Retired professor Harvey Jacobs, taking the opposite stance, wrote the article to “put the current proposals into a broader historical context of proposed zoning reform over the decades, wondering whether current reformers (like past ones) may be expecting too much from proposed changes.”
Links:
- Read the article: https://www.planning.org/publications/document/9268983/
- Check out another article from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy on the subject: https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/articles/2022-12-state-local-zoning-reform
Artwork Credit: Illustration courtesy of Voice of San Diego via Lincoln Institute of Land Policy which announced the arrival of zoning in 1923 San Diego.
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Arbitrary Lines is a book that needs almost no introduction. Author M. Nolan Gray has laid out a future for planners void of zoning that allows us to focus our efforts on long range land use planning instead. While it may seem like an impossible task, many communities are taking small steps towards that goal by ridding their codes of parking requirements or single family zoning.
Links:
- Check out another interview with Nolan on the APA Podcast: https://planning.org/podcast/arbitrary-lines-author-nolan-gray-on-zoning-reform-and-hitting-plannings-reset-button/
- Here’s a short article by Nolan from the Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/nolan-gray/
- Grab a copy of the book: https://islandpress.org/books/arbitrary-lines
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In this article episode Jennifer and I discuss a recent Planning Advisory Service memo covering the Plan Integration for Resilience Scorecard (PIRS). The article, Building Resilience Through Plan Integration, cover’s the scorecard developed by Jamie Masterson and Phil Berke at Texas A&M University. It offers a spatial approach to finding inconsistencies in the various plans adopted by a community to ensure they are all working towards a shared vision.
Show Notes:
- A link to the article on Planning.org
- Link to the episode from Season 1 on Planning for Community Resilience with Jamie Masterson
Cover art by GeoJango Maps via Unsplash
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Just over a year after we recorded our first comprehensive plan episode from a book published in 2000 we returned with authors David Rouse and Rocky Piro to talk about their latest book The Comprehensive Plan: sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities for the 21st century. This book is a great read for emerging planners, but also fills the gap in literature for seasoned planners looking for guidance on how to improve sustainability, equity, and resilience in their own plans.
- The PAS Report, Sustaining Places Best Practices, that was mentioned in the beginning of the episode as the foundation for this book
- An article on planning for health that was a topic mentioned on the episode
- We mentioned an earlier episode also on comprehensive plans called Community Planning
- Get a copy of the book at Routledge Press.
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In this episode we talk about the New Econ 101, a 2015 collection of four articles highlighting innovative economic approaches pulled together by Next City. The topics covered include utilizing co-ops to bolster underrepresented economies, a comparison of top down versus grass-roots urban district redevelopment in Kansas City, anchor institutes deploying a social design type approach to neighborhood development and civic engagement, and utilizing accelerator programs to drive hardware innovation.
- Download your copy of the article and check out all the great other articles available at Next City
- Curious about Community Benefit Agreements? Check out this toolkit from Local Initiatives support Corporation
Episode artwork by Philip Myrtorp on Unsplash
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Anchor institutions have been around in our cities for a long time, but innovation districts, a more intentional approach, is somewhat new. In this episode we talk with author Matt Enstice about his book City Forward which gets into the details of how to use innovation districts to support the neighboring community in an equitable way. Matt is uniquely situated to provide insight into how innovation districts and anchor institutions, if they take the time to build trust, can have a positive impact given his role as the President and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus innovation district.
- Pick up a copy of City Forward from Island Press: https://islandpress.org/books/city-forward
- The Rise of Innovation Districts, a Brookings Institute article
- World Economic Forum
- E For All
- David Gambel’s book mentioned in the show is Idea City: How to Make Boston More Livable, Equitable, and Resilient and is coming out in June 2023
- Talking Cities with Matt Enstice: a podcast where Matt talks with guests on innovation in cities to help them become healthier, vibrant, and more sustainable.
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Since 2015, the Island Press Urban Resilience Project (URP) has worked to imagine and inspire the sustainable, equitable, resilient cities of the future. The project brings together thought leaders with a broad range of expertise to generate and cross-pollinate ideas. Those ideas are then shared via articles, op-eds, and interviews that are published in prominent online and print media outlets. A compilation of the project’s 2022 work, Resilience Matters: Collective Action for Healthier Communities, was the focus of our first “article” episode. This season we’re adding in shorter episodes where we talk about an article we came across that we think you will find useful. What better way to start this series than with a compilation of dozens of great articles?
- Project website: www.islandpress.org/URP
- Free book download: www.islandpress.org/resilience
- A few articles were by author Bill Fulton, a recent guest on the showing talking more in depth about Place and Prosperity
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The ideal city, a utopia of sorts, has been the goal of America since its founding. First we immigrated to find freedom to thrive in the new world, then we moved west to find it on the open frontier, we left cities for the suburban utopia, and finally, we redeveloped our blighted urban cores to create it from within. With each period in our history, we have attempted to create the ideal mix of town and country, but author Alex Krieger ends his book City on a Hill which covers all this and more with a hope that this pursuit “should continue to lose luster.” Listen to the end to hear Alex’s response to why he wrapped up a book on our endless pursuit of this goal in this manner.
Links:
- In the Boston Globe, read Krieger (with Matthew Kiefer) on the city’s new “gilded age”
- At the New York Daily News, read Krieger’s unpacking of the idea of the “American Dream”—on the occasion of a “destination” shopping mall of the same name’s grand opening in the New Jersey Meadowlands
- Buy a copy of City on a Hill at the Harvard University Press
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In 2012, Jeff’s book sounded the alarm that cars are the central problem of American life, and that making downtown more walkable is the necessary fix for the typical American City. Ten years later, following COVID, the rise of ride share, and the escalating climate crisis, Speck returned with a 10th Anniversary edition that assesses the impacts of these events and the changes that have taken place since the original book was published.
Links:
- Walkable City Rules: Jeff’s deep dive book from 2018 with more details on how to design walkable cities
- Human Transit is a book by Jarett Walker referenced in the show
- Jeff mentioned his article “Secretary Pete’s safe streets plan won’t succeed if engineers continue business as usual” published in The Hill
- Transport Politic is a blog by Yonah Freemark mentioned during the episode
- Public Square: Carmel Indiana Plan for Office Park Redesign is an example of one of Jeff's projects to create a more walkable area from a former office complex
- Jeff’s website has videos, projects, and a newsroom and is a wealth of resources
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In 2012, Jeff’s book sounded the alarm that cars are the central problem of American life, and that making downtown more walkable is the necessary fix for the typical American City. Ten years later, following COVID, the rise of ride share, and the escalating climate crisis, Speck returned with a 10th Anniversary edition that assesses the impacts of these events and the changes that have taken place since the original book was published.
Links:
- Walkable City Rules: Jeff’s deep dive book from 2018 with more details on how to design walkable cities
- Human Transit is a book by Jarett Walker referenced in the show
- Jeff mentioned his article “Secretary Pete’s safe streets plan won’t succeed if engineers continue business as usual” published in The Hill
- Transport Politic is a blog by Yonah Freemark mentioned during the episode
- Public Square: Carmel Indiana Plan for Office Park Redesign is an example of one of Jeff's projects to create a more walkable area from a former office complex
- Jeff’s website has videos, projects, and a newsroom and is a wealth of resources
Follow us on social media for more content related to each episode:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/booked-on-planning/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BookedPlanning
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookedonplanning
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookedonplanning/
As individuals we need to be aware that we experience place all the time and that we have the power to shape how we experience place. We need to be intentional with economic development to ensure our places are prosperous and prosperous in an enduring way. Place and prosperity does not always go together, but regions with strong place characteristics bounce back quicker and facilitate prosperity.
Links:
- Listeners can take 20% off the book with the code FULTON on Island Press’s website at https://islandpress.org/books/place-and-prosperity
Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash
Follow us on social media for more content related to each episode:
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Segregation was not solely an individual invention, but was supported by government actions like housing policy and “if it’s unconstitutional, then we have an obligation to remedy it.”
Links:
- The Planning Commissioner podcast: mentioned during one of Jennifer’s follow up comments
- Segregated by Design: Short film narrated by Richard Rothstein
- Just Action: pre-order site
- Short review of the book from a planning blog
Photo Credit: Unseen Histories via Unsplash
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Behind every successful city is thoughtful planning for the future, but it’s not enough to just plan for the future of communities, we also need to plan with the future. We need to image what the future might look like to shape it in a responsible, sustainable, and equitable way. The past few years have taught us change can happen rapidly, whether we are prepared or not. While no one could have predicted the impacts of the global pandemic, it taught us planning for a variety of future scenarios is key to being able to respond quickly when they happen. We also can clearly see now that we should start planning for a hybrid world, not just the built environment as we always have. Planners are uniquely situated for this work, having spent decades projecting populations and growth patterns in comprehensive plans. We talk about all this and more in this episode with Petra Hurtado, Research Director at the American Planning Association. Listen to the end to hear her take on what’s the next big idea poised to impact the world of planning.
Links:
- Planning's Foresight Resource Page: https://www.planning.org/foresight/
- 2022 Trend Report: https://www.planning.org/publications/document/9228382/
Follow us on social media for more content related to each episode:
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Affordable housing has been around long before the programs of recent history, dating to the 19th century. To adequately provide for it requires a varied approach to serving all income levels, from the most impoverished to moderate-income families. This means both supply and demand side programs paired together, with voucher programs across the board and low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) projects supplementing the need. According to author Alan Mallach of A Decent Home, housing vouchers or their equivalent should be a universal right for those who need it. The affordable housing crisis and homelessness will not be solved until the government does this. In this episode, we discuss these topics in-depth and go into what changes he would make to the book, which was published over 12 years ago but remains an important topic today.
Planning and problems of the city are synonymous, merging into the economics, sociology, and politics of cities which are reflective of their time. In Cities of Tomorrow, author Peter Hall says, “historical actors do perform in response to the world they find themselves in and in particular to the problems that they confront in that world.” This book is focused on the late 19th and 20th centuries, starting with the poor conditions of housing in the Victorian era which gave rise to the field of planning. He also thoroughly covers the Garden City movement, suburban sprawl and regional planning, transportation and highway building, and several design movements, some with ties to Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. In just over 500 pages of text, the author provides a detailed account of the successes and failures in city planning history so that we may learn and understand that most ideas are not wholly original but are versions of an earlier approach. Check out this episode with guest and fellow Cities of Tomorrow fan Gracen Johnson as we discuss the books key points and observations when reading the text in the context of society today.
Missing middle housing—the cottage court, townhomes and duplexes, and low-rise apartment units, are becoming more essential in city development. Missing middle has shifted from a good to know by planners, city officials, and developers to a need to know. This type of housing unit is becoming increasingly important to single person households and downsizing boomers who want to live in more walkable neighborhoods, an inherent feature of the missing middle neighborhood. By providing a variety of housing options that include these types of units, cities can support economic growth and development. There is also an equity component in this conversation. Where past discriminatory zoning and housing policies have led to income disparities for minority populations, missing middle could help build back generational wealth held from these groups. To keep this home type affordable, technology needs to catch up with the movement. Modular housing can be the future of missing middle housing but is currently lacking in the modular conversation which has only really been tested on large scale apartment projects. To hear more on missing middle housing, check out this episode with author Daniel Parolek on his book Missing Middle Housing: Thinking Big and Building Small to Respond to Today’s Housing Crisis.
Links:
- Missing Middle Housing Book: https://islandpress.org/books/missing-middle-housing
- Missing Middle Housing Website: https://missingmiddlehousing.com/
- Form-Based Codes Book: https://islandpress.org/books/form-based-codes
- Prairie Queen Project: https://opticosdesign.com/work/bungalows-on-the-lake-prairie-queen/
- AARP Missing Middle Guide: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/housing/info-2020/missing-middle-housing.html
- Opticos Design: https://opticosdesign.com/blog/
One of the main areas for improving our approach to planning for resilience is improving communication between departments and communication between plans. Our hazard mitigation plans should be incorporating action items from climate action plans and our comprehensive plans should be including the hazard mitigation plan information. It’s not enough to just reference the document, but all city plans and priorities need to consider hazards before adoption to avoid situations like goals for a walkable, urban, dense downtown when the downtown is prone to frequent flooding. As author Jaimie Hicks Masterson said planners should look at policies, plans, processes, and procedures within their department to ensure they support reducing hazard risks. Planners should step forward and be the conveners that we are trained to be.
Links:
- Building Resilience Through Plan Integration article with a link to the Plan Integration for Resilience Scorecard Guidebook: https://www.planning.org/pas/memo/2021/jan/
Episode Artwork: Malachi Brooks on Unsplash
Pedestrian and Transit Oriented Design is not a book about design but a book about policy and process. Change doesn’t happen all at once, despite our desire, so we must make decisions about priorities and which changes happen in the first wave of upgrades and which will come later. This book helps to set those priorities by laying out three chapters with essential, highly desirable, and worthwhile but not essential design elements. As author Keith Bartholomew put it, all the elements are worth considering, but in a world of incremental change and priority setting, not all of them can be included. As planners, elected or appointed officials, or designers it’s our job to “push the cart that much up the hill and then hopefully someone will come in behind and pick up the work after that.” Meaningful change is small change. Places grow organically and are not all ready to go out of the box like Ikea furniture. Instead, find the situation and challenges of a particular place and strategize to get the best outcome you can for that situation, recognizing that no cookie cutter list will give you the answer. The best way to find answers is to look around your community for areas that are working and find ways to replicate that elsewhere though policies or programs.
To summarize an 800 page book in three points, cities should charge the right price for curb parking (the lowest price that maintains one to two open spaces), spend the revenue on the neighborhood with upgrades like planting trees, cleaning and upgrading sidewalks, providing transit passes, and remove off-street parking requirements. If we stop to think about the parking situation, we will realize we have been designing cities to accommodate cars for decades, instead of designing cities for the people living in them. As the author Donald Shoup points out however, planners are adept at pivoting to change course in a relatively short time. We have ample resources with all the surface parking lots in our communities to reclaim for housing and other much needed development. We should reconsider what’s the highest and best use of the curb lane, economically speaking, and often the answer is not parking. When approaching parking from an economic position, it is easy to make the argument that free parking is a drain on cities not just financially, but environmentally as well.
Planning for climate change can take many forms from a climate action plan or chapter in a comprehensive plan to addressing concerns over limited water and drought without using politically charged terms like climate change. The Climate Planner is a great resource not just for a climate planning process, but any public planning process. With the situation we are facing planners cannot ignore planning for a changing climate and need to include sustainability and resiliency measures in all our plans. If there is not dedicated funding for climate adaptation, pairing climate projects with other already funded work is a way to advance climate resiliency goals. Think about what the community is set on doing and the goals they have and do that while working towards climate mitigation and adaptation. In this episode with author Jason King we cover a variety of topics including dealing with challenging attendees at public meetings, working with others who may not share the same climate priorities, funding resiliency projects, and more.
Notes:
- The Climate Planner (Routledge, 2021): https://www.routledge.com/The-Climate-Planner-Overcoming-Pushback-Against-Local-Mitigation-and-Adaptation/King/p/book/9781032020204
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is exactly what its name suggests, a geographic method for organizing information in a system. GIS is the digital version of the field of geography, a field comprised of environmental, societal, and economic factors, and uses a geographic approach that brings together problem solving and integration by layering maps to visualize trends and design solutions. Wholistic, integrated, connected, collaborative, inclusive—these five works are embodied in the geographic approach, one that is a natural way of thinking for planners whose work is grounded in location.
We spoke in this episode to Jack Dangermond, co-founder of ESRI, a global market leader in GIS and location intelligence. We wrapped up our conversation with a call to action where he said planners “are very important. You possess the skills and methods that are so important today. And only you it seems to me have the insight and ability to create solutions to address the great challenges we’re facing today as a global society. And for whatever reason you want to make up you are privileged and are being called upon at this particular moment in history to address the great issues of our time…” Listen to the full episode to hear the rest of the conversation with Jack on the world of GIS and the role planners have to play in the field.
Resources:
- High School Students Using GIS Case Study: https://www.esri.com/en-us/lg/industry/education/high-school-students-learn-stem-skills-with-gis
- L.A. High School Maptivists Research Social Justice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h50hlfnBjzk
Transportation enables...fill in the blank. Transportation is so integral to our daily lives that it has an impact on economic development, mobility and connectivity, public health, the environment, and the list goes on. As a result, planning for transportation does not occur in a static world, but a dynamic system that is constantly changing. Adaptation is key because what we put in place now will enable our ability to meet goals in the future. Sometimes however, what we advocate for does not get implemented by elected officials. Patience is key because as years pass priorities change and past work may get implemented. Even just reframing the issue can get transportation projects built. Since transportation projects are connected to so many issues, the arguments for spending funds on a particular project should be as well. This is highlighted in the evolution of bike and pedestrian planning to active transportation planning. Active modes of transportation such as bicycling and walking is good for public health, hence the rebranding of the field. We dive into these topics and more in our conversation on the Transportation Planning Handbook.
Links:
· Institute of Transportation Engineers: https://www.ite.org/
Planning theory and laws are constantly evolving and changing. We need to continue to learn, think, and have conversations and dialogue. It is not enough to understand the core concepts, but we should go further to push the boundaries to get our communities to the next level and evolve the way we live. No longer is the status quo sufficient as we have begun to re-examination of the foundations of land use law and the questionable groundwork it stands on. Additionally, states gave local governments the power to decide what gets built on the land. As a result, land use law is primarily local and comes out of the respect for local knowledge and processes. How we choose to apply zoning codes and what to regulate has immense power. These codes impact everything from cradle to grave which is why working in the field of land use law is such an interesting and dynamic career.
As access to information and technology has improved over the past 20 years, so has the field of Hazard Mitigation. What began as an “everyone for themselves” approach to hazards and natural disasters has evolved into a complex system of not just responding to these events in a coordinated manner but preparing our communities in advance. Hazard mitigation planning reduces loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters. It also pays for itself as every $1 spent on hazard mitigation, see’s $6 in savings. With so much at stake, communities across the nation are developing strong hazard mitigation plans to combat the increasing rate and severity of natural disasters caused by a rapidly changing climate. In many ways, hazard mitigation planning and climate planning go hand in hand.
Historic preservation as a field has evolved dramatically since its inception with the preservation of George Washington’s house. This evolution can be seen in the changes within each of the three editions of Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice. During our discussion, the authors stressed the need to stop separating preservation from other government functions. Planning, preservation, and architecture go hand in hand, but so many communities either ignore preservation or keep it as a separate pursuit. “Preservation seen as preserving old buildings is very limited in scope. It’s much more than that, much broader than that.” We also discuss how good preservation projects are achieved. You must first figure out what you have, then what you want separately, and finally figure out how to put them together. As a final takeaway, we talk temenos. Listen now to figure out what temenos has to do with historic preservation.
Links:
- Website: http://tylertopics.com
- Book: https://tylertopics.com/writing/books/historic-preservation-book-2/
In its fourth iteration, the Geography of Urban Transportation has evolved alongside our transportation system. What has not changed however is the need for good data to understand why people make the choices they do. Often it’s a reaction to policy decisions that have created an auto dominated culture. As the authors point out, American’s do not love cars any more than other countries, but our policies have set in stone the infrastructure for an auto-dominated culture. We have to drive to get to our destinations in many cases. But what we need to do is get off the highways and start taking a multimodal approach to transportation planning. Transportation is so engrained in our daily lives that simple transportation solutions do not exist. Transportation impacts housing, employment, commerce and many other facets of city life. “Transportation is essential to understanding the world.”
Links:
- New York Times Article on Portland’s Transportation Future https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/21/climate/portland-emissions-infrastructure-environment.html
Rachel Carson became a guiding spirit of the modern environmental movement with her groundbreaking 1962 best seller “Silent Spring.” It forced us to reconsider our fundamental faith in science and technology. Carson discussed her findings and with plenty of examples makes a passionate plea for the future of the planet, calling on us to act as stewards of the environment. In this episode we dive into the details of the book, the parallels with today’s campaign against climate change, and how this book, heavy in the details of chemical applications of the 1950s, applies to our daily lives and work.
Links:
- The Biggest Little Farm Documentary: https://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/
- 2017 New York Times Article on Carson's work and its impacts today https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2017/01/22/us/rachel-carson-ddt-malaria-retro-report.amp.html
- USDA Report on Pesticide Use https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2014/june/pesticide-use-peaked-in-1981-then-trended-downward-driven-by-technological-innovations-and-other-factors/
Zoning tells us what we can do and where. It was created as a way to organize our cities and separate uses that were incompatible such as a factory from a housing development. But the way we zone land is contrary to the rest of the world which is neither good nor bad, just different according to the author Sonia Hirt. We talk in this episode about how zoning is part of American culture and how our approach to development differs from European countries. For example, residential zoning, a concept that has come under fire recently for the way it was used to further segregation, does not exist in countries like Germany. While zoning might appear to be ordinary and routine, the fact that categories were created in the first place means that it is not actually neutral. The conversation wraps up with a short discussion on shrinkage in legacy cities whether growth means goodness or if shrinkage is actually okay.
Pedestrian safety is trending in the wrong direction with the number of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. hitting record highs. Former Streetsblog USA writer Angie Schmitt dives deep into the topic in her latest book “Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America.” Schmitt discusses the dangers of America’s transportation infrastructure as it relates to pedestrians and bicyclists, expressing hesitation that autonomous technology is going to solve the problem. "If we analyze these patterns, they tell us very clearly that pedestrian deaths are not just random acts of God or bad luck, nor are they the result of individual decision-making or laziness (although both bad luck and bad decisions often play a role)," Schmitt writes. "Pedestrian deaths are part of a systemic problem with systemic causes."
In our very first live podcast recording we sat down with author Ilana Preuss to discuss her new book “Recast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing”. The book was released during the height of the Pandemic, but the problems we saw with shrinking retail, empty storefronts, and closing businesses was a long time coming. In this episode Preuss explains why the old model of economic development did not work and how small-scale manufacturing can support a new, more equitable approach. Thriving economies result from creating great places. Building great places results from a bottom up approach that reaches out to local entrepreneurs already in your community making products and taking risks.
Links:
· Recast City
The assumptions and approaches that go into building and managing America’s transportation system are wrong. Author Charles Marohn explains the issues as he sees it from an engineer’s perspective who also happens to have a background in planning as well in his book “Confessions of a Recovering Engineer”. We can spend a lot less on transportation, get places quicker, and have better places to live that are safer, wealthier, and have more opportunities. It all starts with ending strode construction and instead designating roads and streets separately. All transportation decisions need to clarify whether the facility will be a high speed connection between places or set the framework for building a place. As long as we continue to muddle the difference between a road and a street, thereby creating strodes, we will continue to make bad investments that are dangerous.
Links:
· Strong Towns Aligning Transportation with a Strong Towns Approach Course
· Strong Towns website
We turn on a light switch or run a faucet every day without thinking about how it works. Without the electric grid, a very complex but outdated system, we would not be able to do either. In this episode, we discuss Gretchen Bakke’s book, The Grid: the Fraying Wires between Americans and our Energy Future. We are reaching a critical breaking point with our archaic system of delivering power to homes and business across the U.S. A transition to renewable energy is necessary, but how do we accommodate all the clean energy generated without advanced methods for storing that power? We discuss the solutions and how planners can be more involved in the conversation.
Links:
Solar@Scale Webinar Series: https://icma.org/events/solarscale-webinar-series
Energy Justice Workbook: https://iejusa.org/workbook/
Great Plains Institute Cobenefit Opportunities: https://betterenergy.org/blog/solar-energy-projects-natural-systems/
Over 50 years later Ian McHarg’s seminal book Design With Nature is still teaching us how to plan with nature, not against it. “We design with nature, the with is very important.” We are joined in this episode by Frederick Steiner, co-executive director of the Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology. We dive deep into the parallels McHarg makes between space and the importance of understanding natural processes and ecology. We discuss the connection between McHarg’s work overlaying physical maps and today’s digital version of Geographic Information Systems. While the book was very much a product of its time, it has proved to also be timeless.
Links:
PBS Documentary series Race - The Power of an Illusion episode 3—“The House We Live In”: https://www.pbs.org/race/000_About/002_04-about-03.htm
Multiply and Subdue the Earth (1969) PBS documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nBFkARCP0I
What defines an ethical planning practitioner? Is it okay to omit race-specific population data because the mayor said to do it? Should you leave studying for ethics until the very end of preparing for AICP? How should we approach social media without getting into trouble? These questions and more are answered in this episode with APA’s ethics officer Jim Peters as we talk though the book the Ethical Planning Practitioner by Jerry Weitz.
Links:
https://planning.org/ethics/
"The comprehensive plan isn’t a thing it’s a process. It’s important to have the document, but recognize it is not finished and it’s a process that takes management." Community planning, how we ensure our communities grow and develop responsibly, is grounded in the comprehensive plan. In this episode we talk with author Eric Damian Kelly about his book, Community Planning: an Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan. Our conversation ranged from sustainability, educating community members versus advocacy planning, how the comprehensive plan and budget should go hand in hand, and much more.
In this episode we were joined by author Michael Brooks to talk about his book Planning Theory for Practitioners. Despite being retired for seventeen years now, Brooks had much to share about the planner’s role in city development. If you thought the book was about spatial organization theories like Hoyt’s Sector Theory or Burgess’ Concentric Zone Theory you are mistaken. Planning theory in this context is really about how planners should approach their work. If you are an emerging professional or have been in the field many years, this episode will likely speak to you.
In this episode we were joined by Randall Arendt, author of Rural by Design, to talk about his book and the importance of focusing on good design in our communities. While the title evokes an image of the countryside and small villages, Rural by Design covers communities of all shapes and sizes. During our conversation we discussed conservation subdivisions, affordable housing, density, and more. Given all the changes that have taken place since 1994 in regards to this topic, Mr. Arendt published a second edition with several new chapters and material not included in the original release.
Greener Prospects:
http://www.greenerprospects.com/rbd_d.html
Booked on Planning is a podcast where the cohosts interview a variety of authors to dive deep into the books that have shaped the field of planning and urban design. In just 30 minutes every two weeks you will glean insights on diverse topics such as rural planning, transportation, community plans, sustainability, and so much more. Booked on Planning will not only summarize the key points from the books, but will give you a better understanding from the author or subject matter experts themselves. You can listen to these short episodes during you daily commute, errands, workout, or whenever you have time. We wanted to start this podcast because we’re all busy professionals that want to learn more, but for many reasons, we may not sit down after a full day of planning for our communities to read a planning book cover to cover.
Our first episode will be out in January 2022, but you can subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts to be notified as soon as it’s ready - just search “Booked on Planning”. You can also join our email list at www.bookedonplanning.com and be notified when new episodes are available. We hope you’ll follow along on this journey.