Booked on Planning

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...

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...

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 develop...

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 spir...

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 resilienc...

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 envi...

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 d...

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 Why...

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...

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...

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 s...

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,...

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, illustrat...

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 f...

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. Rangi...

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 furth...

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 th...

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 prof...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

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 a...

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 commun...

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 fo...