Economic Development

Accessory Dwelling Units 

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary housing units located on the same lot as a primary residence. These units can take the form of separate structures, converted garages, or apartments within the main house. ADUs are typically smaller than the primary residence and are designed to provide additional housing options without significantly altering the character of a neighborhood.

Urban planners view ADUs as a way to address housing shortages by increasing density within existing residential areas. ADUs can provide affordable housing, support multi-generational living, and offer homeowners a potential source of rental income. They allow cities to accommodate growth without the need for extensive new developments, preserving land and minimizing urban sprawl.

ADUs come with considerations such as zoning regulations, infrastructure capacity, and neighborhood opposition. Planners must ensure that local policies permit ADU construction and that they are integrated into communities in ways that address parking, traffic, and service needs.

Adaptive Use

Adaptive use focuses on the repurposing of existing buildings for new uses. It is often used in sustainable development, historic preservation, and urban revitalization efforts. Benefits of adaptive uses include cost-effective development, economic revitalization, and community preservation.

Adaptive reuse projects often face regulatory hurdles, as existing buildings may not comply with current building codes or accessibility standards. Structural issues, such as deteriorating foundations, and environmental hazards like asbestos or lead paint, can also pose significant challenges.

Common strategies for adaptive uses include historic preservation tax credits, zoning flexibility, and public-private partnerships. Collaborations between government entities, private developers, and community organizations can be instrumental in overcoming financial and regulatory barriers to adaptive reuse.

Examples include converting industrial warehouses into residential lofts, turning old schools into office spaces, turning underutilized strip malls into office spaces.

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing refers to housing that is reasonably priced, allowing low- and moderate-income households to live without spending an excessive portion of their income on rent or mortgage payments. Generally, housing is considered affordable when a household spends no more than 30% of its income on housing costs (in U.S. case). This type of housing is essential for ensuring that all residents, regardless of income, can access safe, stable, and adequate living conditions.

Creating and maintaining affordable housing often requires policies that encourage its development, such as zoning changes, density bonuses, or public subsidies. These approaches help increase the supply of affordable units in areas where housing costs are otherwise high. Tax incentives or public-private partnerships may also play a role in making affordable housing projects financially viable.

The location of affordable housing is crucial. It should be integrated into neighborhoods with access to essential services like public transportation, schools, healthcare, and employment opportunities. This ensures that residents not only have a place to live but also the ability to easily reach important destinations and resources.

Challenges such as limited land availability, neighborhood opposition, and the potential displacement of residents due to gentrification must be addressed to create lasting affordable housing solutions. Balancing these factors while ensuring equitable access to housing is key to supporting diverse, inclusive communities.

Aging in Place

Contributor: Placeholder   |   Last update: September 7, 2024

Aging in Place refers to the ability of older adults to live in their own homes or communities safely, independently, and comfortably as they age, without needing to relocate to specialized housing or care facilities. It emphasizes maintaining quality of life and autonomy by ensuring that homes and neighborhoods are designed to support the changing needs of aging individuals.

To support aging in place, housing options should be accessible and adaptable. Features such as single-level layouts, grab bars, ramps, and wide doorways can make homes safer and easier to navigate as mobility changes. Additionally, having essential services like healthcare and public transportation nearby is crucial for maintaining independence and ease of access to daily needs.

Public spaces and infrastructure must also accommodate the needs of older adults. Walkable neighborhoods, accessible sidewalks, and age-friendly public areas promote physical activity, social interaction, and overall well-being. Access to community centers, parks, and social services helps prevent isolation and ensures that older individuals can remain active and connected within their communities.

Arts Infrastructure

Arts infrastructure refers to the physical spaces, facilities, and resources that support the creation, presentation, and preservation of the arts within a community. Arts infrastructure helps enhance cultural vitality, economic development, social cohesion and culture preservation. 

• Arts infrastructure includes everything from theaters, galleries, and museums to studios, public art installations, and cultural centers, as well as the systems that support arts education, funding, and accessibility.

• Studios, rehearsal spaces, maker spaces, and workshops are essential for artists to create and develop their work. Providing affordable and accessible creative spaces is crucial for nurturing local talent.

• Schools, universities, and community education programs that offer arts education are an integral part of the arts infrastructure. These institutions help cultivate new generations of artists and art appreciators.

• While arts infrastructure can stimulate economic development, it can also lead to gentrification and the displacement of local communities and artists. Planners should consider strategies to mitigate these impacts, such as affordable housing for artists or zoning protections for cultural spaces.

• Planners should consider integrating cultural planning into the broader urban planning process to ensure that arts infrastructure is considered alongside other community needs like housing, transportation, and economic development. Mixed-user development and public-private partnerships often play a key role in the development of arts infrastructure.

Brownfield Redevelopment

Brownfield Redevelopment refers to the process of cleaning up and repurposing previously developed land that is potentially contaminated by hazardous substances, pollutants, or other environmental challenges. 

Brownfields are often former industrial or commercial sites, such as factories, gas stations, or warehouses, that have been abandoned or underused. Redeveloping these sites can revitalize communities, reduce urban sprawl, and promote sustainable development by reusing land that might otherwise be neglected.

The first step in brownfield redevelopment is assessing the site to determine the extent of contamination. Planners must work with environmental experts to conduct Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) to identify contaminants and plan for remediation. This process may involve soil removal, groundwater treatment, and other cleanup efforts to make the site safe for new uses.

Brownfield redevelopment offers an opportunity to promote sustainable urban development. Planners should integrate green building practices, renewable energy, and sustainable land use principles into redevelopment plans. This includes considering mixed-use developments, affordable housing, and public spaces that benefit the community while minimizing environmental impacts.

Some challenges of brownfield redevelopment include: cleanup costs, potential legal disputes, or market feasibility concerns.

Bus Rapid Transit

Contributor: Placeholder   |   Last update: September 7, 2024

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high-quality, high-capacity public transportation system that uses dedicated bus lanes, modern vehicles, and efficient operational practices to provide fast, reliable, and frequent service. BRT systems are designed to offer a transit experience similar to light rail or metro systems but at a lower cost and with greater flexibility.

Key features of BRT include dedicated lanes or busways that minimize delays caused by traffic congestion, priority at intersections to ensure swift and uninterrupted travel, and modern, high-capacity buses that improve passenger comfort and capacity. BRT systems often incorporate off-board fare collection and level boarding to speed up boarding times and enhance overall efficiency.

BRT systems can significantly improve urban mobility by providing a reliable and efficient alternative to private car use, helping to reduce traffic congestion and emissions. They are typically implemented in corridors with high passenger demand, linking major residential, commercial, and employment centers.

Business Retention and Expansion

Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) is an economic development strategy focused on supporting and strengthening existing businesses within a community, focusing on understanding the needs of local businesses, addressing their challenges, and helping them grow and thrive.

BR&E involves regular communication with local businesses to understand their needs, challenges, and opportunities. This can include workforce issues, regulatory concerns, infrastructure needs, and market access. By addressing the concerns of local businesses, BR&E efforts aim to reduce the likelihood of companies relocating to other areas, which helps maintain local jobs and economic activity.

Strategies often include providing technical assistance, access to financial resources, and help with regulatory compliance. Planners should ensure that infrastructure and public services support business needs, such as transportation, utilities, and digital connectivity. This support can help businesses overcome challenges and seize growth opportunities.

Car-Free Zones

Car-Free Zones are designated areas within cities or towns where motor vehicles are restricted or prohibited, promoting pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation use instead. These zones are created to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance the safety and quality of life for residents.

Car-free zones often feature extensive pedestrian pathways, bicycle lanes, and public spaces that encourage walking and cycling. They can also include public transportation options such as buses or trams to ensure convenient mobility for residents and visitors. By limiting vehicle access, these areas reduce pollution and noise, creating a more pleasant and healthier environment.

Implementing car-free zones can require careful planning and consideration of potential impacts on local businesses, residents, and traffic patterns. Strategies such as providing alternative transportation options, ensuring adequate access for deliveries and emergency services, and engaging with the community are essential for successful implementation.

Civic Infrastructure

Contributor: Placeholder   |   Last update: September 7, 2024

Civic Infrastructure refers to the fundamental facilities and systems that support the functioning and quality of life in a community. This includes public services and physical assets such as roads, bridges, water supply systems, sewage treatment, public transportation, parks, and government buildings.

Cluster Development

Cluster Development is a planning and development approach that concentrates buildings and infrastructure in a specific area of a property while preserving the remaining land for open space, agriculture, or environmental conservation. 

Cluster development in economic development refers to the strategy of concentrating interconnected businesses, suppliers, and related institutions in a specific geographic area. It often leads to economic growth in the region by fostering specialized industries and creating synergies among the cluster participants.

• Cluster development often fosters a sense of community by creating walkable neighborhoods with shared amenities like parks, trails, and communal spaces. The design encourages social interaction and a stronger neighborhood identity.

• Concentrating development can reduce infrastructure costs for roads, utilities, and public services. The smaller footprint requires fewer resources to maintain and can be more cost-effective for both developers and municipalities.

• Cluster development often requires flexibility in zoning regulations, allowing developers to adjust lot sizes and setbacks to achieve a more efficient and sustainable layout.

Collaborative Planning

Collaborative Planning is a process where various stakeholders, including community members, government agencies, and private organizations, work together to develop and implement plans and policies. This approach emphasizes shared decision-making, communication, and cooperation to address complex issues and achieve common goals.

Effective collaborative planning involves structured processes such as public meetings, workshops, and advisory committees to facilitate dialogue and collaboration. Planners should also use transparent methods for sharing information and collecting feedback to ensure that all voices are heard and considered. 

Building strong partnerships and maintaining ongoing communication with stakeholders are key to successful collaboration.

Collaborative planning leads to more resilient and adaptable solutions by leveraging collective expertise and resources. It helps create plans that are not only technically sound but also socially equitable and widely supported, contributing to more sustainable and livable communities.

Community Land Trust

Community Land Trust (CLT) is a non-profit organization that acquires and manages land for the benefit of a community. The trust holds the land in perpetuity and provides long-term, affordable access to housing, commercial spaces, and other community assets. By separating the ownership of land from the ownership of buildings or other improvements, CLTs aim to prevent displacement, promote affordable housing, and support community development.

For urban planners, understanding CLTs is important because they offer a mechanism for community-driven land management and development. CLTs enable communities to take control of their land resources, ensuring that development aligns with local priorities and values. This can lead to more equitable and sustainable outcomes by prioritizing affordable housing and preserving community assets.

Community-Supported Agriculture

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a model where individuals or families purchase shares of a farm's produce in advance, receiving regular deliveries of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other farm products throughout the growing season. This direct relationship between consumers and farmers fosters a sense of community and supports local agriculture by providing farmers with upfront capital and a stable market for their goods.

For urban planners, integrating CSA into community development involves recognizing its potential benefits and addressing the logistical and spatial needs associated with this model. Planners should consider how to facilitate access to CSA programs through zoning and land-use policies that support urban agriculture and local food systems. This might include identifying suitable locations for community gardens, farmer's markets, or distribution centers where CSA shares can be picked up.

Complete Streets

Complete Streets is a planning and design approach aimed at creating streets that are safe, accessible, and accommodating for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and public transit riders. This concept emphasizes the integration of various transportation modes and the inclusion of features that support a vibrant, functional public realm.

For urban planners, implementing Complete Streets involves incorporating several key design elements to ensure that streets meet diverse needs. This includes designing for safe and convenient pedestrian access with features such as wide sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and traffic calming measures. Bicycle infrastructure, such as dedicated bike lanes and bike racks, is also essential for encouraging cycling as a viable mode of transportation.

Public transit accessibility should be a priority, with well-placed bus stops, shelters, and connections to other transportation modes. Planners need to consider the integration of green spaces, street trees, and public amenities to enhance the overall street environment and promote community interaction.

Incorporating Complete Streets principles also involves ensuring that designs are adaptable to the specific context of each neighborhood, addressing factors such as local traffic patterns, land use, and community preferences. By engaging with residents and stakeholders in the planning process, urban planners can create streets that not only improve transportation efficiency but also contribute to a higher quality of life and a more inclusive urban environment.

Comprehensive Plan

A Comprehensive Plan is a long-term strategic framework that guides the development and growth of a community. It outlines a vision for the future, sets goals, and provides a roadmap for achieving them through policies, strategies, and actions. This plan covers various aspects of community development, including land use, transportation, housing, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

The plan should establish clear goals and objectives that address identified issues and opportunities. It includes policies and strategies that outline how to achieve these goals, such as land use regulations, infrastructure investments, and community programs. Planners must ensure that the plan is flexible enough to adapt to changing conditions while providing a consistent framework for decision-making.

Conditional Rezoning

Conditional Rezoning is a zoning process that allows for a change in land use or zoning classification based on specific conditions or requirements set by the local government or planning authority. This process is typically used to address particular concerns or mitigate potential impacts associated with a proposed development, ensuring that the rezoning aligns with community goals and regulatory standards.

For urban planners, understanding and implementing conditional rezoning involves several key steps. First, they must evaluate the proposed rezoning request in the context of the community’s comprehensive plan and existing zoning regulations. This includes assessing how the proposed change aligns with broader land use goals and whether it supports or conflicts with current planning objectives.

The process often includes setting specific conditions that must be met by the applicant. These conditions might address issues such as traffic impacts, environmental protection, infrastructure improvements, or design standards. Planners must carefully negotiate and draft these conditions to ensure they effectively mitigate any potential negative impacts while allowing the development to proceed.

Creative Businesses

Creative businesses are part of the broader creative economy, which includes industries such as advertising, architecture, arts, crafts, design, fashion, film, music, publishing, software, toys, games, TV, radio, and video games. Creative businesses are driven by innovation, originality, and the ability to generate cultural and economic value through creativity.

• Planners can create zoning regulations that allow for live/work spaces, studios, and small-scale production facilities, providing creative businesses with the flexibility they need to thrive.

• Establishing cultural and creative districts can cluster creative businesses together, fostering collaboration, innovation, and economic growth in these areas.

• Providing affordable and accessible infrastructure, such as co-working spaces, maker spaces, and high-speed internet, can help creative businesses operate more effectively and efficiently.

Creative Communities

Creative Communities refer to places where creativity, innovation, and cultural activities thrive, often characterized by a high concentration of artists, creative industries, cultural organizations, and supportive infrastructure. These communities leverage the arts and creativity as drivers for social, economic, and cultural development. 

• Role of Planners in Developing Creative Communities includes: 

  • Supporting Cultural Infrastructure: Planners can support the development of cultural spaces, such as art studios, theaters, and public art installations, that serve as focal points for creative activity.

  • Fostering Collaboration: Planners can facilitate collaboration between artists, cultural organizations, businesses, and local government, creating networks that support the creative economy.

  • Encouraging Creative Placemaking: Planners can incorporate arts and culture into urban design and development projects, enhancing the aesthetic and cultural value of public spaces.

  • Policy Development: Planners can advocate for policies that support the creative sector, such as zoning regulations that allow for live/work spaces, funding for arts programs, and incentives for creative businesses.

• The success of creative communities can sometimes lead to gentrification, where rising property values and living costs displace original residents and artists. Planners must balance development with strategies to ensure affordability and inclusivity.

• Planners should involve artists, cultural organizations, and community members in the planning process to ensure that the development of creative communities is inclusive and reflective of local needs.

Critical Infrastructure

Critical Infrastructure refers to the essential systems, assets, and services that are vital to the functioning of a society and economy. These include physical structures and facilities, such as transportation networks, power grids, water supply systems, communication networks, healthcare, and financial services. The failure or disruption of critical infrastructure can have severe consequences for public health, safety, and economic stability.

Planners should assess the vulnerability of these systems to various risks, including natural disasters, climate change, cyberattacks, and human-made hazards. Identifying which infrastructure is most essential to daily life and emergency response allows planners to prioritize protective measures and allocate resources effectively.

Incorporating critical infrastructure considerations into long-term planning involves ensuring that these systems are robust, redundant, and adaptable. Urban planners should promote the integration of resilient design and risk-reduction strategies, such as reinforcing physical structures, ensuring backup power sources, and creating alternative transportation routes. Additionally, planners should advocate for the decentralization of key infrastructure components to reduce the impact of localized disruptions.

Development Agreement

A Development Agreement is a legally binding contract between a local government and a property developer that outlines the terms and conditions for a development project. This agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of both parties, addressing issues such as land use, infrastructure improvements, timelines, and public benefits. Development agreements are often used for large-scale or complex projects where traditional zoning or permitting processes may not adequately address the needs of the project.

The agreement typically grants the developer certain assurances, such as the right to develop the property according to agreed-upon terms without the risk of future zoning changes that could alter the project’s scope. In return, the developer may agree to provide public amenities or infrastructure improvements, such as parks, roads, or affordable housing, that benefit the community.

For urban planners, development agreements are important tools for managing growth and ensuring that private developments align with public interests. Planners work with developers to negotiate terms that balance the needs of the community with the developer's goals, ensuring that the project supports long-term planning objectives, such as sustainability, transportation access, or affordable housing.

Disadvantaged communities

Disadvantaged communities are populations that face significant social, economic, and environmental challenges, often resulting in limited access to resources and opportunities. These communities may experience high levels of poverty, unemployment, inadequate housing, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and exposure to environmental hazards. 

In urban planning, addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities is critical for promoting equity and social justice. Planners must prioritize policies and projects that improve living conditions and provide greater access to essential services, such as affordable housing, transportation, healthcare, and education. Planners also work to ensure that these communities are protected from disproportionate environmental risks, such as pollution or flooding, and that they are given a voice in the planning and decision-making processes.

Improving the resilience and sustainability of disadvantaged communities often involves targeted investments in infrastructure, green spaces, and economic development initiatives. Planners can help bridge gaps by promoting affordable housing, equitable transit options, and inclusive community engagement practices to empower residents and ensure their needs are reflected in planning outcomes.

Cultural District

A Cultural District is an area that is recognized for its concentration of cultural, artistic, and creative activities, institutions, and enterprises. 

Cultural districts are often established to stimulate local economies by attracting tourists, creating jobs, and supporting local businesses, especially in creative industries like galleries, theaters, and artisanal shops. Cultural districts play a key role in preserving and promoting the unique cultural heritage of a community, ensuring that traditional arts and cultural practices are maintained and celebrated.

Zoning regulations need to support a mix of uses within the district, including spaces for performances, galleries, studios, and cultural institutions, as well as residential and commercial areas that can sustain these activities.

Adequate infrastructure, including transportation, parking, and public amenities, is essential for supporting the increased foot traffic and events typical of cultural districts.

Successful cultural districts often involve collaboration between local government, artists, cultural organizations, businesses, and residents. It’s crucial to engage diverse voices in the planning process to ensure that the cultural district serves all segments of the community, including historically marginalized groups.

Challenges include gentrification - displace long term residents and businesses and that the long-term sustainability of cultural districts requires ongoing support, investment, and adaptation to changing cultural and economic conditions.

Economic Base Analysis

Economic Base Analysis is a method used by urban planners and economists to understand the structure of a local or regional economy. It identifies and analyzes the industries that bring income into a community (known as "basic" industries) and those that serve the local market (known as "non-basic" industries). This analysis helps determine the economic drivers of a region and how they contribute to overall economic growth.

The economic base analysis often considers the multiplier effect, which is the impact that changes in basic industries have on the overall economy. Growth in basic industries can lead to increased demand for non-basic services, boosting local employment and income.

Economic Diversification

Economic Diversification refers to the process of broadening the range of economic activities within a region or country, reducing dependence on a narrow set of industries or economic sectors. The goal is to create a more resilient economy that can withstand external shocks, such as market fluctuations, changes in demand, or technological advancements, by having a variety of industries contributing to economic growth.

Planners should identify emerging industries or sectors that have the potential for growth in their region. This might include technology, green energy, healthcare, or creative industries, depending on local strengths and resources.

Economic diversification often requires investment in infrastructure and the development of a skilled workforce.

Economic Impact Analysis

Economic Impact Analysis is a method used to evaluate the effects of a specific project, policy, or event on the economy of a region or community. This analysis helps determine how changes in economic activity will influence variables such as employment, income, business revenue, and overall economic growth.

Major aspects of economic impact analysis include: 

• Direct Impacts: These are the immediate effects of a project or policy. For example, if a new manufacturing plant is built, the direct impacts include the jobs created at the plant and the local business revenue from its operations.

• Indirect Impacts: These arise from the secondary effects of the initial investment. Using the manufacturing plant example, indirect impacts include the jobs created in supply chains or service industries that support the plant.

• Induced Impacts: These are the economic effects resulting from the spending of wages earned by employees in the direct and indirect sectors. For instance, employees of the manufacturing plant and its suppliers may spend their wages on local services, further stimulating the economy.

• Multiplier Effect: This concept measures how initial economic activities generate additional economic activities. For instance, the spending by new employees creates demand for goods and services, which in turn creates more jobs and economic activity.

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Economic impact analysis often includes comparing the anticipated benefits of a project or policy with its costs. This helps assess whether the benefits outweigh the costs and whether the project is economically viable.

• Sectoral Analysis: This involves examining how different sectors of the economy are affected. For example, a new transportation project might have significant impacts on the construction, retail, and service sectors.

Economic Revitalization

Economic Revitalization refers to a set of strategies and actions aimed at rejuvenating and revitalizing struggling or declining areas within a community or region.

Economic revitalization includes infrastructure improvement, business attraction, housing development, community partnerships, cultural and recreational amenities, and economic diversification.

Eminent Domain

Eminent Domain is the legal power of a government to take private property for public use, typically for infrastructure projects like roads, schools, or utilities. In exchange, the property owner is entitled to fair compensation. While it is a powerful tool for advancing public interests, the use of eminent domain can be controversial, particularly when property owners are unwilling to sell or feel the compensation is inadequate.

For urban planners, eminent domain is often a last resort in the implementation of major public works projects or redevelopment efforts. Planners are involved in identifying properties needed for projects and ensuring that the use of eminent domain aligns with broader public goals, such as improving transportation networks, building public facilities, or revitalizing blighted areas. Planners also play a role in determining whether other alternatives exist before resorting to eminent domain.

One of the key challenges associated with eminent domain is balancing public needs with the rights of individual property owners. Displacement and community disruption can occur when properties are taken for public use, especially in low-income or historically marginalized neighborhoods. This makes public engagement and transparent communication essential throughout the process to ensure fairness and minimize harm.

Ultimately, urban planners must approach eminent domain with sensitivity and responsibility, using it only when necessary and ensuring that the rights of property owners are respected, while also advancing the community’s long-term development goals.

Foreign Direct Investment

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) involves investments made by a company or individual in one country into business interests located in another country. In the context of urban planning and economic development, FDI can play a significant role in shaping the growth and transformation of cities and regions.

FDI often funds large-scale infrastructure projects, such as transportation networks, utilities, and commercial developments. This investment can enhance the city’s infrastructure, improve connectivity, and stimulate further economic activity.

Attracting FDI often requires a supportive regulatory and policy environment. This includes creating favorable conditions for foreign investors, such as streamlined permitting processes, tax incentives, and protection of intellectual property rights.

Gentrification

Gentrification refers to the process by which urban neighborhoods undergo transformation due to an influx of higher-income residents, leading to increased property values and changes in the character of the area. While gentrification can result in economic revitalization and improved infrastructure, it often also leads to the displacement of long-standing, lower-income residents and can alter the social fabric of the community.

In urban planning, addressing gentrification involves balancing development and investment with measures to protect and support existing residents. Planners work to ensure that revitalization efforts do not disproportionately displace vulnerable populations. This may include implementing policies that promote affordable housing, provide relocation assistance, and support community development initiatives that benefit both new and existing residents.

Strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of gentrification often focus on preserving affordable housing through rent control measures, housing subsidies, or community land trusts. Planners also work to involve local residents in the planning process to ensure that their needs and perspectives are considered in development projects.

Greenbelt

A Greenbelt is an area of open land, often located on the outskirts of urban areas, that is designated and managed to restrict urban development and preserve natural landscapes. Greenbelts typically include parks, forests, agricultural land, and other green spaces. They serve as a buffer between urban areas and rural or natural environments, providing ecological, recreational, and social benefits.

Greenbelts can function as wildlife corridors, connecting fragmented habitats and allowing animals to move between different areas. This connectivity is crucial for species migration, genetic diversity, and the health of ecosystems.

Managing greenbelts can involve addressing challenges such as encroachment, land management, and funding for maintenance. Effective management requires balancing conservation goals with the needs of local communities and development pressures.

Housing Affordability

Housing Affordability refers to the ability of individuals and families to secure adequate housing without experiencing financial strain, typically defined as spending no more than 30% of household income on housing costs, including rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and maintenance. When housing costs exceed this threshold, it can lead to financial hardship, limiting access to other essential needs like food, healthcare, and education.

In urban planning, addressing housing affordability is a key priority to ensure that all residents, regardless of income, have access to stable, affordable homes. Planners work to develop policies that promote affordable housing development, such as inclusionary zoning, which requires a certain percentage of new developments to be affordable to lower-income households. They also advocate for housing subsidies, tax incentives for developers, and the preservation of existing affordable housing stock to prevent displacement due to rising housing costs.

Additionally, housing affordability is linked to broader issues like transportation, job access, and land use. Planners strive to create communities where affordable housing is integrated with access to public transportation, employment opportunities, and essential services. This approach ensures that lower-income residents are not priced out of areas with better amenities and opportunities.

Incentive Zones

Incentive Zones are designated areas within a city or region where specific incentives are provided to stimulate economic development and attract investment.

Types of Incentives:

• Tax Incentives: Reductions or exemptions on property taxes, income taxes, or sales taxes to lower the financial burden on businesses operating within the zone.

• Financial Grants: Direct financial assistance or grants to support business development, infrastructure improvements, or job creation.

• Infrastructure Support: Investments in infrastructure such as roads, utilities, or public transportation to enhance the attractiveness of the zone.

• Regulatory Relief: Simplified zoning regulations, expedited permitting processes, or relaxed land use restrictions to facilitate development.

Innovation Districts

Innovation Districts are urban areas where leading-edge institutions and companies cluster and connect with start-ups, business incubators, and accelerators. They are characterized by a mix of economic, physical, and networking assets, and they are designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and economic growth. These districts often emerge in urban cores or near anchor institutions such as universities or research centers and are designed to support the flow of ideas and the commercialization of new technologies.

Planners need to consider flexible zoning regulations that accommodate mixed-use development, including residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. This flexibility encourages a dynamic environment where people can live, work, and socialize in close proximity.

High-quality infrastructure, including reliable broadband, transportation networks, and public spaces, is crucial. Innovation Districts require strong connectivity—both physical and digital—to enable collaboration and the free flow of information.

Land Banking

Land Banking is a strategy used by governments or public entities to acquire, hold, and manage vacant, underutilized, or foreclosed properties with the goal of redeveloping them for community benefit. The purpose of land banking is to prevent land from remaining idle and ensure that it is eventually used for productive purposes, such as affordable housing, commercial development, parks, or other public facilities. This process can be particularly useful in areas experiencing blight, disinvestment, or depopulation, as it helps stabilize property values and revitalizes neighborhoods.

Land banks can acquire properties through tax foreclosures, donations, or purchases. Once in control of the land, these entities may clear title issues, demolish unsafe structures, or prepare the site for redevelopment. They often hold properties until market conditions improve or until they can be transferred to developers or community organizations for projects aligned with local planning goals, such as affordable housing or green space initiatives.

In private practice, land banking refers to the practice where private individuals, corporations, or investors acquire and hold land, typically with the intention of selling it at a higher value in the future or developing it when market conditions are favorable. Unlike public land banking, which focuses on community benefit, affordable housing, or revitalization, private land banking is often driven by profit motives. Investors may purchase vacant, underdeveloped, or strategically located parcels of land and hold onto them until property values rise, infrastructure improves, or development demand increases.

Land Trusts

Land Trusts are nonprofit organizations that acquire and manage land for conservation, preservation, or community benefit. The primary purpose of a land trust is to protect land from development and ensure it is used in ways that align with public or environmental goals, such as preserving open spaces, natural habitats, agricultural land, or providing affordable housing. Land trusts often work in partnership with local governments, landowners, and community organizations to safeguard land for future generations.

There are two common types of land trusts: conservation land trusts and community land trusts. Conservation land trusts focus on preserving natural landscapes, wildlife habitats, and recreational areas. They often acquire land through purchase, donation, or conservation easements, which legally restrict development while allowing landowners to retain ownership. Community land trusts, on the other hand, focus on affordable housing by holding land in trust while allowing residents to purchase or lease the buildings on the land, maintaining long-term affordability.

Land trusts play a significant role in balancing development pressures with the need for environmental sustainability and housing equity. By holding land for the public good, they help prevent land speculation, protect green spaces, and ensure that critical community needs—such as affordable housing—are met. In urban areas, land trusts can be instrumental in preventing displacement and ensuring that low- and moderate-income residents have access to stable housing, even as property values rise.

Livable Wage

A Livable Wage is the minimum income necessary for an individual or family to meet their basic needs, including housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and other essential expenses, without requiring financial assistance or falling into poverty. Earning a livable wage is closely tied to health and well-being. 

Unlike the minimum wage, which is often set by law and may not account for variations in the cost of living, a livable wage is tailored to the specific cost of living in a particular area and reflects what is needed for a decent standard of living.

Location Quotient

Location Quotient (LQ) is a statistical measure used in regional economic analysis to compare the concentration of a particular industry, sector, or demographic group in a specific area (such as a city, county, or region) to a larger reference area, usually the national economy. 

Urban planners use LQ to identify which industries are particularly strong or specialized in a region. Understanding these concentrations helps planners make informed decisions about economic development, investment, and workforce development strategies.

The LQ helps identify the extent to which a region is specialized in a certain industry compared to the national average.

• LQ = 1: The industry has the same share of the regional economy as it does in the national economy, indicating that the industry’s presence in the region is average.

• LQ > 1: The industry is more concentrated in the region than at the national level, suggesting regional specialization or a competitive advantage.

• LQ < 1: The industry is less concentrated in the region than nationally, indicating a lower than average presence.

A high LQ in a particular industry may indicate economic dependency on that industry. Planners need to be aware of this to mitigate risks associated with economic downturns in that industry, such as through diversification efforts or developing resilience strategies. Regions with high LQs in specific industries may be more attractive to investors looking to capitalize on established strengths. Planners can use LQ data to market the region to potential investors and businesses.

Low Impact Development 

Low Impact Development (LID) is a land planning and engineering approach that aims to manage stormwater runoff as close to its source as possible, mimicking natural processes to protect water quality and associated aquatic habitat. LID emphasizes the use of on-site natural features and engineered small-scale controls to infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff.   

Techniques such as rain gardens, permeable pavements, green roofs, and bioswales are employed to capture, filter, and infiltrate rainwater, preventing it from overwhelming drainage systems and polluting water bodies.

LID integrates natural drainage systems into urban design. By utilizing natural landscape features like wetlands, riparian buffers, and forested areas, planners can enhance the natural flow of water and reduce the need for conventional drainage infrastructure.

LID incorporates green infrastructure components such as vegetated swales, rain barrels, and green roofs to manage stormwater and provide additional environmental benefits. Green infrastructure not only helps with water management but also improves air quality, reduces urban heat islands, and enhances aesthetic and recreational value.

Mixed-Use Development

Mixed-Use Development is a type of urban planning and design that integrates residential, commercial, cultural, and sometimes industrial spaces within a single development or neighborhood. The concept is rooted in creating vibrant, walkable communities where people can live, work, shop, and socialize in close proximity. By combining different land uses in one area, mixed-use development fosters a more efficient use of land and resources, reduces the need for long commutes, and promotes a lively, dynamic environment.

These developments typically feature a blend of housing units, retail stores, offices, restaurants, and public spaces, often in a vertical format, such as retail on the ground floor with residential or office spaces above. Mixed-use projects can vary in scale, from single buildings to entire districts, and are increasingly seen as a strategy to promote sustainability by reducing car dependency, lowering emissions, and encouraging walking, biking, and public transit use.

For urban planning, mixed-use development plays a key role in creating compact, efficient urban environments that support economic vitality, social interaction, and environmental sustainability. It encourages diverse land use patterns, reduces urban sprawl, and enhances the overall quality of life by providing residents with convenient access to services and amenities. Planners focus on zoning, infrastructure, and design guidelines to ensure these developments are integrated smoothly into the urban fabric and meet the needs of diverse communities.

Neighborhood Stabilization

Neighborhood Stabilization refers to efforts aimed at revitalizing, preserving, and maintaining the stability of residential communities, particularly in areas experiencing economic decline, foreclosures, or disinvestment. The goal is to prevent further deterioration of the housing stock, ensure long-term affordability, and foster community resilience. This can involve various strategies, such as rehabilitating vacant properties, supporting homeownership, improving public safety, and providing resources for social and economic development.

Stabilization initiatives often focus on addressing blight, reducing crime, and promoting homeownership to create a sense of pride and investment in the community. In many cases, these programs target low-income or historically disadvantaged neighborhoods where disinvestment has led to challenges such as declining property values, abandoned homes, and a lack of essential services. Revitalization efforts might also include improving infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and fostering stronger community ties through civic engagement.

Overlay District

An Overlay District is a zoning tool used in urban planning to apply a specific set of additional regulations on top of the existing zoning rules for a particular area. Unlike traditional zoning, which divides areas into exclusive categories (such as residential or commercial), an overlay district allows for targeted regulations or incentives that address specific planning goals without changing the underlying zoning designation. These districts are typically used to guide development in areas with unique needs or conditions, such as historic preservation, environmental protection, or economic revitalization.

Overlay districts can introduce new requirements or relax existing ones, depending on the desired outcome. For example, a historic overlay district might require stricter design standards to preserve architectural character, while a floodplain overlay district might impose additional building regulations to reduce flood risk. Similarly, an overlay district could be used to encourage development in underutilized areas by offering incentives for mixed-use projects or affordable housing.

For urban planners, overlay districts offer flexibility in managing growth and development while addressing specific community objectives. They allow planners to protect valuable resources, guide new development in ways that align with long-term plans, and create more tailored solutions for the needs of a particular neighborhood or corridor.

Participatory Planning

Participatory Planning is a collaborative approach to urban and regional planning that actively involves community members, stakeholders, and various interest groups in the decision-making process. This method seeks to incorporate diverse perspectives and local knowledge into planning efforts to ensure that development projects and policies meet the needs and preferences of the community.

Place-Based Economic Development

Place-Based Economic Development is an approach to economic development that focuses on leveraging the unique characteristics of a specific location to drive economic growth. Place-based economic development tailors initiatives to the specific needs, opportunities, and challenges of a particular area, considering its cultural, social, geographic, and economic context.

Place-based economic development emphasizes the importance of identifying and utilizing local assets, such as natural resources, cultural heritage, historic buildings, and local industries. Planners should assess these assets to develop strategies that capitalize on what makes the area unique.

Engaging the local community is crucial in place-based development. Planners should work closely with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to understand their needs, aspirations, and vision for the area. This collaborative approach ensures that development strategies are aligned with local interests and have community buy-in.

Public Housing

Public Housing refers to government-funded and managed housing designed to provide affordable accommodation for low-income individuals and families. This housing is typically administered by local or national government agencies and aims to offer safe, decent, and affordable living conditions to those who might otherwise struggle to find adequate housing in the private market.

Public housing projects are developed with the goal of addressing housing shortages and ensuring that lower-income residents have access to stable and affordable living environments. These projects can range from apartment complexes and townhouses to mixed-use developments that integrate residential, commercial, and community spaces. Public housing often includes amenities such as on-site management, maintenance services, and access to social support services.

For urban planners, public housing is an important component of creating inclusive and equitable communities. Planners must consider how public housing projects fit into the broader urban fabric, ensuring they are well-integrated with transportation networks, educational facilities, and employment opportunities. Additionally, planners work on policies and designs that support the long-term sustainability and quality of public housing, addressing challenges such as overcrowding, maintenance, and community integration.

Public-Private Partnerships

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are collaborative agreements between government entities (public sector) and private companies (private sector) designed to finance, build, and operate projects that serve the public, such as infrastructure, transportation, education, or healthcare facilities.

In a PPP, the public sector typically provides oversight and ensures that public interests are protected, while the private sector brings in expertise, efficiency, and capital to deliver the project.

PPPs are commonly used to develop and maintain public infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, public transit systems, water treatment plants, and schools. Planners need to understand how to structure PPPs to ensure that these projects are delivered efficiently, on time, and within budget.

Planners must consider the social impacts of PPP projects, ensuring they contribute positively to the community. This includes addressing issues of access, affordability, and social equity, especially in projects related to essential services like housing, healthcare, and transportation.

Resilience

Resilience in urban planning refers to the capacity of a community, system, or infrastructure to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions and shocks, such as natural disasters, economic crises, or social challenges. It involves designing and implementing strategies that enhance the ability of people and systems to withstand and adapt to adverse conditions while maintaining essential functions and services.

Building resilience encompasses various aspects, including strengthening infrastructure, improving emergency preparedness, and fostering social cohesion. This involves creating resilient buildings and transportation systems that can withstand extreme weather events, developing emergency response plans, and promoting community engagement and resourcefulness. Resilience also includes addressing social and economic vulnerabilities by ensuring that resources and support are available to all community members, particularly those most at risk.

Smart Growth

Smart Growth is an urban planning and development approach that promotes sustainable, environmentally responsible, and community-oriented development. It aims to create compact, walkable, and transit-friendly communities with mixed-use development, minimizing urban sprawl, and making efficient use of land and resources. Smart Growth focuses on enhancing the quality of life by fostering economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity in both urban and suburban settings.

Smart Growth promotes the use of infill development, which involves building on vacant or underutilized land within existing urban areas, as well as redeveloping older, underperforming areas. This minimizes the need for new developments on greenfields and reduces urban sprawl.

Key elements of smart growth include: 

• Compact development

• Mixed-use development

• Walkability and bikeability

• Public transportation

• Preservation of open spaces

• Affordable housing

• Efficient use of infrastructure 

• Community involvement

Social Housing

Social Housing refers to government-supported or non-profit-provided housing that is affordable and accessible to low- and middle-income households. The goal of social housing is to ensure that individuals and families who might struggle to afford market-rate housing have a stable, secure place to live. Social housing can take various forms, such as public housing projects, housing cooperatives, or subsidized rental units, and is typically managed by public agencies or non-profit organizations.

Social housing programs aim to reduce housing inequality and provide long-term affordability by offering below-market rents and maintaining rent stability. These programs often target vulnerable populations, including low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Social housing can also foster community well-being by integrating supportive services, such as childcare, job training, or healthcare, to address the broader needs of residents.

For urban planners, social housing is a critical tool in addressing housing shortages, affordability crises, and homelessness. Planning for social housing involves identifying suitable locations, ensuring equitable access to services and amenities, and coordinating with other sectors, such as transportation and education, to create vibrant, inclusive communities. Social housing policies also require balancing long-term sustainability, community integration, and addressing the evolving needs of diverse populations.

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder Engagement refers to the process of involving individuals, groups, and organizations who have a vested interest in a project, policy, or decision. In urban planning, stakeholders typically include community members, local businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and interest groups, all of whom may be affected by planning decisions or have input into shaping them. Effective stakeholder engagement ensures that diverse perspectives are considered, promoting more inclusive, transparent, and well-rounded outcomes.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development is an approach to economic growth that seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It emphasizes a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity. 

The goal of sustainable development is to ensure that development today does not lead to environmental degradation, depletion of resources, or social inequality, enabling long-term health and prosperity for both people and the planet.

Key Pillars of Sustainable Development

• Environmental Sustainability: This pillar focuses on protecting natural resources and ecosystems, reducing pollution, mitigating climate change, and conserving biodiversity. Sustainable development promotes the responsible use of natural resources to ensure they are available for future generations while maintaining the integrity of ecosystems.

• Economic Sustainability: Economic sustainability refers to practices that support long-term economic growth without negatively impacting social, environmental, or cultural aspects. It encourages efficiency in resource use, the development of green technologies, and the creation of jobs that contribute to both economic development and environmental health.

• Social Sustainability: Social sustainability emphasizes equity, justice, and the well-being of all individuals. It seeks to reduce poverty, improve living conditions, promote access to education, healthcare, and employment, and ensure that all communities have equal opportunities for prosperity.

Tax Increment Financing

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a public financing method used by municipalities and local governments to stimulate economic development in a specific area or district. TIF works by designating a geographic area as a TIF district and freezing the current property tax revenues at their existing levels. As property values within the district increase due to development, the additional tax revenue generated by the increase in property values (the "tax increment") is captured and used to finance public infrastructure improvements, economic development projects, or other public investments within the district.

TIF is widely used to encourage development in blighted, underdeveloped, or economically stagnant areas. Urban planners can use TIF to attract private investment, create jobs, and revitalize neighborhoods by funding infrastructure improvements, public amenities, or other projects that enhance the area's appeal.

While TIF can generate significant revenue for development projects, it also carries financial risks. If property values do not increase as anticipated, the expected tax increment may not materialize, potentially leaving the municipality with insufficient funds to cover the costs of the improvements. Planners must consider the broader community impact of TIF projects, particularly on existing residents and businesses. TIF can lead to gentrification and displacement if not managed carefully.

Transit-Oriented Development 

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a planning and design approach that focuses on creating vibrant, mixed-use communities around public transportation hubs, such as bus and train stations. The aim of TOD is to increase accessibility to transit services, reduce reliance on personal vehicles, and promote sustainable urban growth. TOD typically involves integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within close proximity to transit facilities, creating a walkable environment that encourages the use of public transportation.

Key components of TOD include high-density development, pedestrian-friendly design, and a mix of land uses that support a range of activities and services. This approach helps reduce traffic congestion, lower transportation costs for residents, and minimize environmental impacts by decreasing the need for car travel. TOD also fosters economic development by increasing property values and supporting local businesses.

For urban planners, TOD is essential for promoting sustainable urban growth and improving transportation efficiency. Planners must ensure that TOD projects are well-integrated with existing transit infrastructure, consider the needs of diverse community members, and align with broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing overall livability. Successful TOD requires careful coordination of land use, transportation planning, and community engagement to create cohesive, accessible, and vibrant urban environments.

Urban Fabric

Urban Fabric refers to the physical and social structure of an urban area, including its buildings, streets, public spaces, and the interactions between these elements. It encompasses the layout, design, and organization of urban spaces and how they function together to create the character and functionality of a city or neighborhood. The urban fabric includes aspects such as the density and distribution of buildings, the connectivity of streets and pathways, and the integration of green spaces and public amenities.

The quality of the urban fabric affects various aspects of urban life, including accessibility, livability, and the overall aesthetic of the area. A well-designed urban fabric supports vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, facilitates efficient transportation, and enhances community interactions and engagement.

Urban Revitalization

Urban Revitalization refers to the process of renewing and enhancing underdeveloped or deteriorating urban areas to improve their economic, social, and physical conditions. This process typically involves a combination of redevelopment, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement to transform areas that may be struggling with issues such as blight, vacancy, or declining economic activity.

Urban revitalization aims to attract investment, increase property values, and improve the overall quality of life for residents. It can include activities such as renovating or repurposing old buildings, improving public spaces, enhancing transportation and infrastructure, and fostering economic development through business incentives or cultural programs. The goal is to create vibrant, sustainable, and economically viable neighborhoods that support diverse populations and contribute to the overall health of the urban environment.

Workforce Development

Workforce Development is a comprehensive approach to preparing, training, and continuously developing the skills and capabilities of a region’s labor force to meet the current and future needs of employers. It encompasses a range of activities, policies, and programs designed to improve workers' employability, support career advancement, and align workforce skills with the demands of the labor market. 

Planners should ensure that workforce development efforts are inclusive, providing opportunities for all community members, including marginalized groups, low-income residents, and those with barriers to employment. This includes addressing disparities in access to education, training, and job opportunities.