Housing, land use, and zoning policies are often siloed in such a way that they are considered and addressed separately from school segregation and students' opportunities to learn. But these policy areas can interact in powerful ways. This policy brief attempts to break down those siloes. Drawing on multiple bodies of literature, it explores what…

In an era of increasing complexity, the majority of local land-use decisions in the United States are made by volunteer citizen planners. Often these elected or appointed volunteers enter their positions with a passion for their communities but without appropriate background training. The Michigan Citizen Planner Program was developed to address…

In 2006, land use planning emerged as a contested issue in the rural area known as "Down East", Carteret County, in eastern North Carolina, USA. Down East is experiencing a transition from a commercial fishing to an amenity economy and concerns about related changes led to the formation of "Down East Tomorrow" (DET), a…

This article presents a classroom challenge involving an old railroad right-of-way. Using the knowledge gained via research into what others may have done with utilizing old rail lines, along with team creative efforts, students should begin generating ideas for how to use these land areas. The students might suggest the land areas be used for:…

Review of the Community Land Use Game (CLUG). (RT)

Highway interchanges offer rural counties practically ready-made sites for development, but some interchanges offer better development opportunities than others. A study of a Kentucky interchange identified seven factors that make a difference in development, including traffic volume, distance to an urban area, ruggedness of terrain, and sale of…

A learning needs assessment survey was conducted by the Green Valley Institute in the Quinebaug Shetucket National Heritage Corridor in Connecticut and Massachusetts. This survey was designed to assess educational interests, perceived knowledge, and importance relating to land use, community planning and design, and natural resources. Findings…

The need for a comprehensive plan--an overall pattern of development--for rural counties is discussed in this paper. The planning is done by a representative body with the authority to make detailed studies, to draft and recommend long-range comprehensive plans and specific plans, and to suggest measures to implement the plans. The 3 steps for…

Describes and illustrates the pond model of wastewater treatment adapted by a small Maine town. Includes wastewater collection, treatment, sludge disposal, and chlorination. (MA)

This booklet designed for junior and senior high school teachers identifies a developmental sequence of indoor and outdoor experiences related to land use in an urban setting. Lists of cognitive and affective objectives are followed by nine lesson strategies developing the land use concept. Included is a list of activities used in an…

A social impact assessment (SIA) should accompany plans for land development in developing nations. An SIA team should maintain an ongoing relationship with the community and attempt to implement recommendations. (KC)

Examines how rapid economic development and population growth affect the visual environment in small towns and rural areas. Describes how agencies concerned with the impact of Fort Drum's expansion. Discusses the process of educating local community planners and the public, and a design framework for regulating land use development. (SV)

A discussion of seven considerations for the development of a land-use policy statement and the role of extension in developing an effective strategy for state land-use planning. (EM)

Describes a proposal currently being debated for a third privately-built garden city in Britain. This "environmentally ideal" community is intended to be small in scale, decentralized, close to nature, energy efficient, and modest in technology. (Author/WB)

Colleges and universities are growing, and they need new facilities to accommodate this growth. Whether it's space for new academic classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, research centers, business incubators, or space for retail and services necessary for a campus to thrive, college and university business officers are involved in decision-making…