Trees
Trees can have far-reaching effects on community air and water quality, residential heating and cooling, property values, community aesthetics, and even public…
Social Equity
Many hope the smart growth movement will help distribute wealth and resources more evenly within communities, to the benefit of low-income and…
Housing
Safe, comfortable housing is a key element of a livable community. However, post-World War II housing in the U.S. has tended to favor…
Downtown & Neighborhood Centers
The downtowns of America’s great cities suffered terribly after World War II, when federal highway building and suburban home mortgage programs fueled…
Schools
Executive Summary Without question, education is a critical component of a livable community; the quality of a community’s schools is often a…
Transportation and Transit
A balanced, well-designed transportation system that accommodates all modes of travel is essential to community livability. The Ahwahnee Principles — which underpin…
Healthy Communities in California’s San Joaquin Valley
This report provides a series of community design best practices, recommendations and policies that can contribute to a healthy lifestyle for San…
Regional Planning
While local governance matters, the metropolitan region is the scale at which communities collectively manage quality-of-life factors that transcend local boundaries, such…
Public Participation
Our society’s civic infrastructure is every bit as important as its physical infrastructure. Winston Churchill was correct: “We shape our buildings; thereafter,…
Local Economies & Economic Development
Livable communities have strong, vibrant economies that encourage local enterprise, meet residents’ needs, and promote stable employment while also furthering social equity…