Ethics Challenge at Oak Park Commons

On October 20, 2024

The code guiding ethical behavior by professional planners begins: “People who participate in the planning process shall continuously pursue and faithfully serve the public interest.” What does that mean for planners who represent various types of employers or clients, and who are dealing with complex issues that must balance differing public interests? This interactive session, […]

Housing Supply Accelerator

On June 1, 2024

The American Planning Association (APA) has been a leader in an important effort to address housing affordability. At the APA conference in Minneapolis in 2024, a session presented the results of their collaboration with the National League of Cities, the National Homebuilders Association, the National Association of Realtors, and the Mortgage Bankers Association in a […]

Congratulations to the 2024 Fellows!

On April 16, 2024

I was pleased to celebrate with the latest class of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Induction as a Fellow is one of the highest honors a planner can receive. This class has 33 members. Of those, several are friends and colleagues. These include: APA’s website shows the full list of new Fellows. […]

Community Climate Planning and Action Toolbox

On April 15, 2024

Around the globe, weather is becoming less predictable and extreme events are becoming more common. These events, such as floods and wildfires, do not affect everyone in a country equally – most of the time, they impact specific communities. Responses to past events and possible future risks must be effective at this local level too. […]

Inclusive Storytelling: New Tools for Climate Resilience

On April 15, 2024

A valuable session at the APA Minneapolis conference emphasized inclusive storytelling. Most of us have personal experience with the way stories can have a bigger impact on our thinking and beliefs than data. So the idea of using storytelling to help reach consensus on community’s plans or individual projects makes a great deal of sense. […]

Lone Star Advocacy

On December 15, 2023

The Texas Legislature holds its regular bi-annual session in odd-numbered years. Legislation is often proposed that has an impact on the quality of life for Texas residents and the success of Texas businesses. When legislation relates to decisions about community development and revitalization – decisions often made at a city or county level – the […]

Saving Terra

On December 11, 2023

Terry’s principal project this year was the launch and development of his Substack Saving Terra. The media platform is dedicated to the preservation of biodiversity, with emphasis on bird conservation. As an international birder, he has grown increasingly concerned over the many threats to forests and savannas in tropical regions. For most countries he visits, […]

Strategic Community Solutions

On December 10, 2023

This has been a transitional year for Strategic Community Solutions and Karen’s planning responsibilities. Client projects completed this year include strategic plans for the City of Roanoke TX and for the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association. In addition, Karen continued to co-chair (with Craig Farmer FAICP and Kimberly Miller AICP) the Texas Chapter’s […]

KT Ranch Transformation

On December 9, 2023

Last year our newsletter was full of pictures of the major construction and renovation underway at the KT Ranch in Portal, Arizona. It turned out that a lot of 2023 was spent on construction and improvements too. But as we end the year, we are happy to say that just about everything is done (knock […]

Fun with Family and Friends

On December 8, 2023

We began the year celebrating holidays with family, and expected to end it the same way. In between, we’ve been really fortunate to share this year with our family members and dear friends, in person or otherwise. It would be impossible to describe all the interesting experiences, in-depth conversations and good times we had, but […]