What Charlottesville Tells Us About Silent Sam
On Saturday August 12th, a white nationalist rally protesting the planned removal of a Confederate monument in Charlottesville dissolved into violence that left three dead and many injured. The circumstances that led to this tragedy bear an uncomfortable resemblance to events that took place less than two years ago at UNC, when Confederate heritage supporters rallied to defend Silent Sam. Then, as now, counter-protestors rallied … Continue reading What Charlottesville Tells Us About Silent Sam
Hey UNC Planning Community, What’s Off about New East?
The first time I walked into New East, I was overwhelmed by the sensation that something was off. This happens to me from time to time, usually when I am in an unfamiliar space or a familiar space that has changed. This is not normally a hair-raising feeling, but it can become bothersome – particularly if the usual suspects have been eliminated and the impression persists.[1] … Continue reading Hey UNC Planning Community, What’s Off about New East?
A Planner’s Post Secret
The end of the school year–or end of anything, really–often brings reflection. Two years ago, when I was a prospective student of DCRP, the second-year student who picked from the airport confided in me during the thirty-minute ride their “planning secret shame”; the student did not personally want to live the life of urban density and was making plans to live on a ranch far, … Continue reading A Planner’s Post Secret
Walt Disney, Planner?
This spring break I thought I was taking a break far away from the world of planning by spending a week at Disney World. However, I’ve come to learn you can never escape the influence of great planners. I was aware of the planned communities that Walt Disney had designed to house his employees, but I never knew that Disney dreamed of a greater plan … Continue reading Walt Disney, Planner?
The Crystal Ball of King Tides: Predicting how cities will respond to climate change
Do you think that climate change will personally harm you? The Yale Program on Climate Communication recently asked this question of people across the United States. It turns out that where you live makes a difference. In some coastal communities, sea level rise has already started to creep into daily life, showing up a few times a year in astronomical high tides, or “king tides.” … Continue reading The Crystal Ball of King Tides: Predicting how cities will respond to climate change
NOAH: Everything You Need to Know
The first thing that may come to mind when you think of “affordable housing” is publicly subsidized housing operated by a housing authority or non-profit organization. What you may not think of, though, are the humble apartment complexes scattered across U.S. metropolitan areas which provide affordable rental housing to low and moderate income families without public subsidy. Referred to as “Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing” (NOAH) … Continue reading NOAH: Everything You Need to Know
Everything You’ll Learn from an Urban Design Competition
I was sitting on a Chicago Transit Authority bus, a fitting location to receive the news, when I learned that our team of Department of City and Regional Planning students won an honorable mention in the Urban Land Institute’s Urban Ideas Competition. Continue reading Everything You’ll Learn from an Urban Design Competition
Current Planning-Related Legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly
The Planner’s toolbox is being modified constantly by laws passed and policies enacted at every level of government. Being aware of existing laws, as well as proposed legislation, is important for planners, communities, and advocates working throughout the state. Here’s a sample of the planning-related bills currently under consideration at the state level in the North Carolina General Assembly: House Bill 3 / Senate Bill 34: … Continue reading Current Planning-Related Legislation in the North Carolina General Assembly
Spring Break Reflections and Photos
The following is a sample of observations many of the DCRP Master’s students had during their spring break. We curated a sample from students who stayed around the Triangle to those who traveled internationally. Taylor McAdam I went to the transit museum in Brooklyn and learned about the history of New York’s subway system. There was a special exhibit on the construction of the new … Continue reading Spring Break Reflections and Photos
A Brief Guide to Durham’s Alleyways
Alley. A narrow passage between or behind buildings. This definition is too vague. I prefer (my own): Alley. A narrow passage between or behind buildings that provides auxiliary access. With this definition in mind, what follows is a list of Durham’s alleys. This list is by no means exhaustive; we’d love to hear about those you’ve explored that didn’t make it on this list. Right … Continue reading A Brief Guide to Durham’s Alleyways
Carolina Planning Journal 