ARTICLES
The Original Articles archives of CharacterTowns.org presents papers that discuss practical and conceptual ideas for designing, building and managing character towns and small cities that are interesting, pleasant and prosperous places for residents, businesses and visitors.
Evidence shows troubling warming of the planet.
Despite a ‘noisy’ planet, climate evidence over hundreds of years makes a compelling case, one the public by wide margins accepts. Public opinion surveying consistently indicates* that large portions of the U.S. population understand that global warming is happening and occurring at a troubling pace. By a ratio of six-to-one (72% to 12%), the public […]
EXCERPT FROM… Climate Change: Global Sea Level by Rebecca Lindsey
SEA LEVEL SINCE 1880 Global mean sea level has risen about 8–9 inches (21–24 centimeters) since 1880, with about a third of that coming in just the last two and a half decades. The rising water level is mostly due to a combination of meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets and thermal expansion of seawater […]
Extreme events ‘presage worse to come’ in a warming climate
From Yale Climate Connections. Increased fatalities, pain, and costs provide a compelling case for taking action on climate change, three experts warn. “Mark Twain said a century ago that “fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; truth isn’t”. Today we might just say, “You can’t make this stuff up”. However stated, the sentiment is painfully […]
Eyes on the Street: The Life of Jane Jacobs
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Fairhope, Alabama, A Quintessential Character Town
The City of Fairhope began as a dream in the minds of a group of populist reformers who were seeking their own special utopia. Over a hundred similar utopian colonies had already come and gone in other locations including our very own founders’ failed attempt at “The National Cooperative Company” colony in Louisiana. They went […]
Fastmile Delivery Service
FASTMILE goes the extra mile in last mile delivery services for business and residential packages. We have 2-person teams who can carry and place bulky items such as furniture or cabinetry. With distributions centers in Orlando, Atlanta, and Charlotte we cover the southeastern USA with same day or next day delivery per the customers’ specification. FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
FINANCE STRATEGIES for SMALL CITIES and TOWNS.
THE IDEA OF A FINANCIAL STRATEGY. In business, this idea would be about the business model for the enterprise, a strategy for expanding short-term income and long-term wealth. But this terminology is tough for public agencies even though the vision is the same; hence, a financial strategy is the euphemism of choice. But the questions […]
Financing Redevelopment: Using Public Finance Tools for Vision-Consistent Development
Establishing special districts includes designing the sources and uses of funds at the same time as determining land use, circulation and open space. Small cities and towns can effectively use their public finance tools to support vision-consistent private redevelopment and infill projects. [embeddoc url=”https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Financing-Redevelopment-3.16.pdf” download=”all” viewer=”google”] FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
Finland prepares world’s first “nuclear tomb”
From CT.org…Nuclear power will be an important asset in the world’s energy portfolio until practical fusion is realized. Disposal is the issue. Finland’s approach is useful. There is ecological promise in nuclear power. Free from greenhouse emissions and air pollution, not dependent on the whims of the weather, nuclear energy could be a powerful force […]
Fire by Judy Brown
FIRE ~ Judy Brown What makes a fire burn is space between the logs, a breathing space. Too much of a good thing, too many logs packed in too tight can douse the flames almost as surely as a pail of water would. So building fires requires attention to the spaces in between, as […]
First U.S. Small Nuclear Reactor Design Is Approved
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved the design of a new kind of reactor, known as a small modular reactor (SMR). The design, from the Portland, Ore.–based company NuScale Power, is intended to speed construction, lower cost and improve safety over traditional nuclear reactors, which are typically many times larger. Supporters of SMRs […]
Five Principles of Urban Economics
From the Magazine…City Journal CharacterTowns.org came upon this great discussion of urban economic. The five principles listed below are appetizers for Mr. Polese’s rich discussion of each. Cities building character, sustainable character, can benefit from this work. A link to the full article is below. “My first principle, then, teaches us that the possibilities of […]
Five Principles of Urban Economics.
Things we know and things we don’t know from Mario Polese, City Journal. CharacterTowns.org came upon this great discussion of urban economic. The five principles listed below are appetizers for Mr. Polese’s rich discussion of each. Cities building character, sustainable character, can benefit from this work. A link to the full article is below. “My […]
Five Public Housing Trends to Watch in 2020
Local and global conditions continue to plague the market for affordable housing. The NNCC article emphasizes the trends working against the goal of an adequate home for everyone. 1. Cost-Burdened Families Last year, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS) reported that housing costs are rising across the country, and that rents […]
Florida Cities File Constitutional Challenge Over 5G Rules
Cities contend state law violates the state Constitution in a variety of ways, including infringing on home-rule powers. Along with fee limits, the cities take issue with tight schedules for review and approval. The Florida League of Cities and three communities this week filed a renewed constitutional challenge to a state law that is expected […]
Florida Legislature and local 5G technology issues
To speed the installation of 5G in Florida, the Legislature in 2017 ordered cities and counties to open their rights of way, utility poles and traffic signals to wireless carriers who want to install 5G antennas and gear on them. The Legislature also capped how much rent carriers would have to pay the localities for […]
Forest Therapy
“Forest Therapy is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments. Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates to “forest bathing.” Studies have demonstrated a wide array of health benefits, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, and for stabilizing and improving […]
Form Based Code “Lite”: Focus on Streets, Blocks and Buildings.
The use of land development codes based on the form of development rather than the uses within buildings is proving to have two major advantages. The regulations are more likely to produce the desired and expected results; and the resulting post-development buildings and sites are more adaptable to changes of use as city environments and markets […]
Forward Cities: Save the Date! 2020 Forward Cities National Conference, June 10-12, Columbus, Ohio.
Bringing together more than 250 leaders from over 40 cities, the Forward Cities 2020 National Conference E3 Community Trust In Action: Accelerating Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems through Connection and Collaboration will be the premier event to connect with fellow ecosystem builders, entrepreneurial support organizations, local government, funders, and other stakeholders from across the U.S. Going beyond […]
Four ways to make a city more walkable.
Jeff Speck is a city planner and urban designer who advocates internationally for more walkable cities. FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail