The Planning Commission

What do developers think of planners? Are we knowledgeable or arrogant?  Virtuous or obstinate? We sat down with a person who works with our kind and gives us his thoughts. Lee Gientke is the founder of Pontifex Capital and completed projects in numerous state and cities and we appreciated his insights.   Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast.com/ YouTube: The Plannin...

Shelly Trumbo is the Chief Transformer Office for Blue Zones. What does Blue Zones transform? How about entire cities? Using tons of research collected studying cities around the world where living to 100 in common, Blue Zones applies lessons learned to American communities to help us live longer and live healthier. Learn how on our latest episode.  https://www.bluezones.com/ Support the show Our...

Dr. Sybill Derrible is quite the accomplished person and makes us planners think. This thought provoking episode covers a lot of ground, from future populations of American cities, to whether our profession needs to reinvent itself, this one is one heck of a conversation. If you find yourself reflecting on your role as a planner, you’re gonna want to listen to Dr. Derrible and the Commission. Mean...

In this episode, we explore the League of American Bicyclists. For generations past and to come, the League of American Bicyclists is the grassroots movement to create safer roads, stronger communities, and a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. Through education, advocacy and promotion, we work to celebrate and preserve the freedom cycling brings to our members everywhere. Executive Director Bi...

Metropolitan Planning Organizations are an important partner in the transportation planning world. But, not everyone is familiar with they responsibilities and overall roll. Ellen Zavisca is the Transportation Planning Manager for AMPO, where she coordinates their interest group webinars and administers the ActivitySim model. Prior to taking that position, she served as staff at the MPO in Knoxvil...

Jakarta is a massive city in one of the most populated countries in the world. Climate change is causing tremendous problems so much so that officials have decided to move the city to higher ground. Deden Rukmana, PhD. is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Community and Regional Planning at Alabama A&M University a knows all about this story. Is this a canary in the coal mine or is thi...

Loneliness is a growing epidemic. Our communities, how they are planned, built, and maintained, is a major part of the equation resulting in such a condition. Are you lonely? Do you interact with neighbors, friends, even strangers on a regular basis? Ever thought about why or why not? Jennifer Kent is one of the world's leading researchers on the topic and shared her knowledge on the subject....

How does a city change itself? First, it has to be honest and know where to start. Mick Cornett was very honest to the point of even telling Oklahoma City residents while he was Mayor that it was time to collectively lose weight. The initiatives, the projects, the policies, and the places that spured from making such a declaration transformed an auto oriented and sprawling American city, into a po...

Let's face it, we all envy campus planners and the latitudes they have with their work. Drew Alexander with Boise State University knows all about the good side, the not so good, and the real challenges of what goes into campus planning. What do students want? How do you balance housing with academic structures? And then there are sports facilities. Oh, and don't upset the nearby residen...

Love em or hate em, we talk all about planning conferences in this episode. What works, what doesn’t, and how to make them better, are all topics we cover. One of us was even responsible for organizing conferences and has a few nuggets of info to drop.  Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast.com/ YouTube: The Planning Commission Podcast channel Instagram: @theplanningc...

Dan Burden has led a life every planner dreams of. He has riden his bicycle around the world, worked in tens of thousands of cities and towns, and been named one of the Top 100 planning minds of all time. We sat down with the humble legend to talk about his career, what he thinks of the modern planning profession, and what gets him excited about the work he does. This titan of urban planning is no...

Cancer. The word itself often brings horrifc thoughts and memories to nearly every American as the chronic disease has touched the lives of countless people. What role does planning play in the exposure of carcinogenic materials to our citizens, and more importantly, how do we stop such exposure from happening altogether? In Kristina's new book, A New War on Cancer, she touches on the modern...

Bob Searns is a legend in the greenway planning world. His accomplishments are unmatched and his finger prints are all over some of the nations most iconic trails. His latest effort is to expand our conventional understanding of greenways and to think about the next iterations. Bob gives his take on how to improve what planning has done in the realm and deliver to our cities and communities the ki...

Equal access to the places we seek to enjoy is often misunderstood. For disability and accessibility expert, Steve Wright, it is his passion and lifelong profession. Steve sat down with us to dicuss the subject at length, clarify misconceptions, and really explore the ins and outs of what accessibility means. As we continue to seek a world of equality and excellence, ADA laws and addressing our bu...

It's that time of the year and we pause to reflect on the world of planning, our own careers, and the fun that comes with the holiday season. What's your highlight? Who gets a present and who gets coal? Happy Holidays from us to you and here is to a fantastic 2024! Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast.com/ YouTube: The Planning Commission Podcast channel In...

We were thrilled to have Danielle join us to talk about our warming and unpredicatable change and how our nation is being effected, specifically older Americans. In Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation , community resilience and housing expert Danielle Arigoni argues that we cannot achieve true resilience until communities adopt interventions that work to meet the needs of their oldest residents...

Jeff Vincent is the founder of the Center for Cities + Schools at UC Berkley, and a national leader on researching the intersection of large school campus design and urban planning. The implications and results of the larger campus model are profound and one every planner should understand. We were excited to talk with Jeff and explore this very important subject. Check out his school at UC Berkle...

Mitchell Silver is one of the most acclaimed urban planners of our time. We sat down with him to talk about his planning life, his stint running the New York City Parks Department, and his current efforts in the consluting word. Few planners share Mitchell's devotion to their craft like him and we had a wonderful time discussing the attributes that make a good planner, what the next generatio...

Periodically, Planetizen releases their guide and review of the nation’s planning schools. The thorough evaluation gives prospective students and professionals fabulous and informed insight, all organized to help make a decision. Our friend James Brasuell, stopped by to talk about the guide and reveal their top 10 list and more.  https://www.planetizen.com/topschools Support the show Our Website :...

Mayor Mendenhall is a huge fan of good planning. She continues to lead Salt Lake City by engaging in a number of initiatives including major housing reforms, active transportation projects, and air and water quality policies. We had the great privilege to interview Mayor Mendenhall in one of our best discussions to date.  Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast.com/ You...

Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast.com/ YouTube: The Planning Commission Podcast channel Instagram: @theplanningcommissionpodcast Facebook: The Planning Commission Podcast page Twitter: @planningcommish   Subscribe, like, help us make a difference in the profession we all love. Have an episode idea, tell us about it. Email us at: info@theplanningcommissionpodcast.c...

Homelessness in America continue to vex decision makers and planners. What role has planning had in causing homelessness and how do we address the subject in a meaningful way? Wyatt Schroeder is an expert on the issue and joined us for a compelling discussion that we found educational and thought provoking.  Support the show Our Website : https://theplanningcommissionpodcast.com/ YouTube: The Plan...

The American food system is complex. Growing a tomato in your front yard may actually be illegal while school children may be forced to eat processed foods made thoudans of miles from town. Maggi Adamek breaks down why planning for food is essential to a healthier population and how our current system influences numerous aspects of our health. From drive-thrus to dragonfruit, this episode is unlik...

Our profession is unlike most and can certainly be a roller coaster ride. Despite some of the many challenges, there are countless ways in which we love what we do. The Commission takes a moment to discuss why and how we love our careers as Planners. This self-reflection episode may be relatable for many and is a reminder of the positive effects planning can have on the lives of every day citizens...

Accomplished journalist Megan Kimble is an unofficial planner. Her work has included many pieces on various aspects of planning including food systems, affordable housing and zoning, as well as transportation. Megan stops by the Commission to chat about her perspectives on our industry and provides highly unique insights. Head to her website to read some of her fabulous articles: https://www.megan...