Master Planning Institute - Department of Defense

"MAKE NO SMALL PLANS" – DANIEL BURNHAM 

The United States Department of Defense spends more than $10 billion annually on design and construction at its sites across the globe, making it the largest developer in the world. Installation planners play a key role in this development process and installation planning is increasingly important. Moreover, in light of global realignments, the DoD will task many installations with additional missions. Also, emerging threats require the application of appropriate Force Protection measures at all scales. And requirements for sustainable design add another layer of complexity to the planning process. 


Students who attend courses in the DOD Master Planning Institute will learn how to integrate planning history, theory, and application in their own work. They will learn how to make real plans, develop compelling graphics, and connect their planning efforts with DOD policies. These hands-on courses are appropriate for all DOD personnel and contractors interested in learning about the planning process and in learning ways to make and improve master plans.

http://www.dodmpi.org/

Historic Preservation

SAVING HISTORIC PLACES  Holidays in the Heart of Saginaw THIS PLACE MATTERS Frank Lloyd Wright House Up For Auction TRAVEL Pulling Up Stakes—and Foundations! HISTORIC SITES Great Ideas for Gifts Preservation Round-Up: Historic vs. Historical, and More Ice Cube Talks LA, Urban Freeways, & Mid-Century Modernism Living in a Walkable Neighborhood. Testify! Main Street Round-Up: Cupcake Wars Edition National Trust Members receive special rates and packages at our Historic Hotels of America. Join or give a gift membership today! SAVING HISTORIC PLACES Holidays in the Heart of Saginaw One Saginaw, Mich., building has beaten the odds to become a successful model for neighborhood revitalization, and a destination for visitors and residents alike. TRAVEL Pulling Up Stakes—and Foundations! Sometimes historic property owners have to relocate entire houses to protect them from destruction. Learn more about some pros and cons of house moving.  THIS PLACE MATTERS Frank Lloyd Wright House Up For Auction The Laurent House in Rockford, Ill., was the only Frank Lloyd Wright residence originally commissioned to be wheelchair accessible. Now the 1950s house is up for auction. Read an interview with John Groh, founding member of the Laurent House Foundation, as he talks about the future of this gem.

Grassroots Planning

Can grassroots planning save what's best of a rapidly suburbanizing community?

Residents of Newton County, Georgia, started from scratch and learned as they went along — eventually finding the right kinds of help and resources.

Kaid Benfield, New Urban Network

Not long ago, Newton, County, Georgia, was classic rural America:  a few small towns, some historic buildings, and a lot of farming.  But the county has had the good (or bad, depending on your point of view) fortune to be 30 miles from the center of one of the world’s most rapidly expanding cities, Atlanta.  And it is smack in the path of the tsunami of suburban sprawl that is emanating outward from the Georgia capital.

Click to read the article

XMAS Gift

XMAS Gift for the person who has everything.


Radio Controlled Flying Fish


Click to see the video

Closing Down Municipal Police Departments

A number of municipalities have closed down their police departments. The County usually takes over police enforcement. This lowers costs, but also results in less police in the community. This trend will likely continue as more municipalities face debt problems.


Click to read the article.

Border Wars

Interesting article on Chuck Eckenstahler's blog about economic development wars among States. We spend a lot of time and money in competition among governments seeking job producing investment.


http://chuckeckenstahler.wordpress.com/2011/11/27/the-michigan-indiana-border-war/


http://chuckeckenstahler.wordpress.com/

Migration – Geographies in Conflict

Interesting article in the Urbanophile

Replay: Migration – Geographies in Conflict

"It’s an interesting puzzle. The “cool cities”, the ones that are supposedly doing the best, the ones with the hottest downtowns, the biggest buzz, leading-edge new companies, smart shops, swank restaurants and hip hotels – the ones that are supposed to be magnets for talent – are often among those with the highest levels of net domestic outmigration. New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Miami and Chicago – all were big losers in the 2000s. Seattle, Denver, and Minneapolis more or less broke even."

Click to read the article.

http://www.urbanophile.com/