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.
Complete Neighborhoods
“COMPLETE NEIGHBORHOODS” builds on this idea to make the point that neighborhoods are more than a collection of houses. A complete neighborhood of single family homes, apartments or a mix of both relies on all the services and facilities that people need in their daily lives. People, especially families, depend on a wide variety of […]
The New “Complete” Urbanism and City Planning: A Preface to Understanding the City’s Social Aspect.
SUSTAINABILITY THEORY. “Complete” Urbanism and City Planning: A Preface to Understanding the City’s Social Aspect describes the importance of including all aspects of every urban system. Sustainability is the balance between the economic, social and physical aspects of life…over generations. The nuance which is not so subtle is that the physical aspect has natural and […]
Complexity Theory Overview.
CharacterTowns.org, from time to time, has injected descriptions of scientific methods and theories into the discussion of city planning. The purpose is twofold: first, planners need to be aware of a bigger world of science and “big data” analysis in a general sense as it affects city sustainability. FacebookTweetLinkedInEmail
Content – April 2022
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Contents – December 2021
CONTENTS – December 2021 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IDEAS FOR SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS… City of Chicago’s first-ever Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Policy Plan developed in collaboration with Elevate Chicago, 2020. The Future of Small Cities Institute. “Wrestling Public Benefits from Derelict and Neglected Roads, Rails and Rivers”…wck. High Line, NYC Underline, Miami Promenade Plantée, Paris […]
Contents – March 2022
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Contents – March 2024
CONTENTS – March 2024 Character towns, small and large, help build social cohesion, community connections, civic pride and institutional trust with places and spaces for people to socialize. A systemic approach to obtaining, designing and connecting the many open spaces in the city results in a network of beautiful and sociable spaces that […]
Content – November 2021
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Contents – April 2021
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Contents – April 2024
CONTENTS – April 2024 Character towns, small and large, are economic systems with jobs and family incomes driven by economic development that retains and recruits jobs. The economic system also includes the public sector that not only employs residents but also supports development in order to generate taxes and fees that fund public […]
Contents – August 2021
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Contents – August 2022
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Contents – August 2023
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Contents – December 2020
CONTENTS December 2020 Issue #155 IDEAS FOR SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS… Character Towns, A Preface Community Aesthetics Main Street’s “Active Zones”, Not Too Long, Not Too Tall Vision-Driven Strategy CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIVITIES… From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Why Sea Level Matters Measuring Sea Level What’s Causing Sea Levels to Rise? The […]
Contents – December 2022
CONTENTS – December 2022 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IDEAS FOR SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS… Cities, small and large, build social cohesion, civic pride and community connections with libraries, museums, civic theaters and public galleries; this month we focus on museums with their various roles and specialties: The American Alliance of Museums, Arlington VA, at […]
Contents – December 2023
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Contents – February 2021
CONTENTS February Issue #157 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IDEAS FOR SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS… Social Network Theory and City Planning. Small City and Town Economic Policy. High Performance Development Corridors: What to do with Ugly Commercial Strips. Affordable Housing: An Approach for Creating and Keeping an Affordable Housing Inventory. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIVITIES… From NASA in […]
Contents – February 2022
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Contents – February 2023
CONTENTS – February 2023 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IDEAS FOR SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS… Cities, small and large, build social cohesion, civic pride and community connections with libraries, museums, community gardens, civic theaters, public galleries, parks and the pathways that connect them; this month we focus on the “active zone” along main street with […]
Contents – February 2024
CONTENTS – February 2024 Character towns, small and large, build social cohesion, community connections, civic pride, hometown spirit and institutional trust with a mobility system that strives to enable anyone in the city to travel to any other location at any time of day. People’s ability to travel safely, conveniently and cheaply to jobs, […]