Envisioning Better Communities: Seeing More Options, Making Wiser Choices, the new planning book by Randall Arendt that I’m reviewing, is a book I have trouble putting down. (Full disclosure: Randall Arendt is a dedicated member of LandChoices. I’m a big fan of Randall Arendt.)
I received a review copy of the book from the American Planning Association and am reviewing the book in a series of blog posts.
What I like best about the book is that it’s easy to read, and full of common sense advice and insight that, if utilized, will mean the difference between creating a town that looks like every other homogeneous, uncreative community and one that stands out as a place where people are excited to live.
I love the section on page 11 titled “The Status Quo Option Of Doing Nothing”. Randall Arendt writes. “The vast majority of new members of local planning boards and commissions come to their jobs without any professional background in community planning and with no specific training in the subject matter-except, perhaps, for a crash course in “legal mechanics,”, the statutory requirements regarding application procedures, review periods, and so on. They might therefore be excused for assuming that because their jurisdiction has duly adopted a thick comprehensive plan and subsequent zoning and subdivision ordinances, everything is all set, and their role is simply to administer those documents.
How wrong they would be.”
Randall goes on to mention that experienced planners know that typical zoning ordinances conflict deeply with laudable policies articulated in a community’s comprehensive plan. It’s a section of the book that rings so true to the problems nearly every community faces, which is why so many communities look so darn bad and boring, ugly really.
Envisioning Better Communities should be required reading for anyone even thinking about becoming a volunteer citizen planner, or a professional planner. Learn more about Envisioning Better Communities.
More posts about this great book to follow soon.
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Thanks for this great site/blog! I recently purchased Arendt’s Conservation Design for Subdivisions. I’ve also been studying to take the Congress for the New Urbanism accreditation exam. I’d really be interested to read your views on what the conservation design movement feels about the new urbanist priorities of gridded street networks and mixed-use development & zoning (two important elements of traditional neighborhoods). Do you see conservation subdivision design principles applying only or primarily to the suburban and rural greenfield “transect” locations, or do you see them applying elsewhere? Thank you!!
Hi Carter,
You are welcome, thank you. I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. I’ve been spending most of my volunteer time on our new blog http://www.SaveCamps.org to save Boy Scout, Girl Scout and outdoor camps for kids.
I purchased Conservation Design for Subdivisions years ago and it is one of the books that prompted me to start LandChoices. It’s a terrific book.
I personally see conservation subdivision design applying to redevelopment, infill, urban AND suburban and rural greenfield locations. I think it’s a win-win for all involved.
Better than my views, I’ll provide you with a quote from Randall Arendt on the subject from our website: “Conservation subdivision design and New Urbanism can be hybridized to achieve the best results where public water/sewer are availalble and where the legal densities are in th 2-4 du/acre range.”
Here’s a link to more information from Randall Arendt on our website:
http://www.landchoices.org/newurbanism.htm
Thank you Carter for your comments. Please share this blog with your colleuges and friends by clicking on the “Share/Save” button below each posted article. You may also be interested in our new “Top 10 Ways to Preserve Land and Water in Your Community” at http://www.landchoices.org/toptenways.htm .
Warmest regards,
Kirt
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