Please sign-in.
  Not a subscriber?
  Subscribe for unlimited access!

Affordable Housing:

Municipal Regulatory Initiatives: Providing for Affordable Housing
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) report which examines three types of regulatory initiatives used by municipalities to provide for affordable housing. Covers inclusionary zoning, a variety of exaction programs including linkage fees, and density bonusing (incentive zoning). Presents profiles of two dozen of the most important representative examples. Includes ordering information for the full report. Link requires PDF reader.

www.realtor.org
Information on inclusionary zoning and zoning for affordable housing.

Inclusionary Zoning: A Viable Solution to the Affordable Housing Crisis?
An article by Kent Conin, posted by Ginsler & Associates, a Kitchener consulting firm that works with community organizations, donors and governments in such areas as homelessness, hunger, community research and multi-sector coordination and collaboration.

Arguments Against Inclusionary Zoning You Can Anticipate Hearing
Another article posted by Ginsler & Associates, this one written by Bernard Tetreault.

Municiple Planning for Affordable Housing
Another Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) report which sought to "consolidate existing knowledge on six land use planning and associated financial mechanisms that are currently in and associated financial mechanisms that are currently in and associated financial mechanisms that are currently in Canadian cities." These include: inclusionary zoning; linkage programs; density bonusing; alternative development standards; performance based planning and other flexible planning approaches; and, development cost charges on an area basis.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will embrace high standards of ethics, management and accountability and forge new partnerships--particularly with faith-based and community organizations--that leverage resources and improve HUD's ability to be effective on the community level.

Model Density Bonus Ordinance
The California density bonus law was created to offer a land use-based option to facilitate the economic feasibility of affordable housing development. The law required all cities and counties to adopt density bonus ordinances. The law provides that local governments shall grant density bonuses of at least 25 percent, plus an additional incentive(s) or equivalent financial incentives, to housing developers who agree to construct at least: 20% of the units affordable to lowerincome households, 10% of the units affordable to very low-income households, or senior citizen housing. The State of California prepared this model ordinance to further facilitate local government efforts to adopt and implement density bonus ordinances.

Agricultural Zoning/Agricultural Issues:

Center for Agricultural and Rural Development
Operating within a land-grant institution, CARD embraces issue-driven research, outreach, and graduate teaching. CARD programs embody academic excellence and communication with policymakers, opinion leaders, farmers, business people, and agricultural commodity organization leaders. Includes summaries of studies on the impact of livestock operations on residential property values.

Center for Agriculture in the Environment
American Farmland Trust is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1980 to protect our nation's farmland. The Center for Agriculture in the Environment is the research arm of AFT. AFT works to stop the loss of productive farmland and to promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment. Its action-oriented programs include public education, technical assistance in policy development and direct farmland protection projects.

Planning and Zoning for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
A paper presented by James C. Schwab, AICP at the 1999 APA National Planning Conference, which reviews the industry trend towards concentration in livestock production, the environmental, social and economic impact of concentrated animal feeding operations and how planning and zoning can be used to regulate these operations.

The Barn Journal
"Dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of traditional farm architecture," this site provides extensive information about barns including a featured barn, links to barn sites, recommendations of books about barns, answers to frequently asked questions about barns, a listing of barn owners and experts, and stories about this beloved symbol of the American farm.

Local Laws and Agricultural Districts: How Do They Relate?
This guidance document has been prepared by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to assist municipalities in drafting local laws and ordinances which may affect farming in an agricultural district, particularly those established pursuant to Article 25-AA of the Agriculture and Markets Law. It is provided by the New York State Department of State, Division of Local Government. (This link leads to an Adobe pdf file.)

Architecture:

Royal Institute of British Architects Library
The heart of the site, the RIBA library catalogue, is a searchable "index to 150,000 articles from 300 journals in 20 languages, and 50,000 books, drawings, and photographs." There are related links. From the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Society of Architectural Historians - Net Resources
List of resources focused on reference information, collections, images, specific architects, and texts. They also maintain a page of resources by subject and places. From the Society of Architectural Historians.

Architecture Virtual Library
One of the excellent, searchable Virtual Library sites on the Internet. Provided by the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, University of Toronto.

American Landscape and Architectural Design, 1850-1920
This searchable or browsable "collection of approximately 2800 lantern slides represents an historical view of American buildings and landscapes built during the period 1850-1920." It includes the work of Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York's Central Park. It also contains "views of cities, specific buildings, parks, estates and gardens, including a complete history of Boston's Park System." There are images of plans, maps, and models. From the Library of Congress' American Memory Project.

Arts and Crafts Movement: Craftsman Style Bungalows
This site presents an overview of the Arts and Crafts movement dating back to the late 19th century and the following Craftsman style of architecture. In addition, there is a detailed guide, with drawings, to identifying a Craftsman home. Also included is information about architects who developed this style -- Gustav Stickley, Frank Lloyd Wright, Greene and Greene (who designed the Gamble House in Pasadena), and Bernard Maybeck.

Bauhaus Archive/ Museum of Design
From 1919-1933, the Bauhaus was a driving force in the synthesis of technology with architecture, design, and art. The heart of the Web site for the Bauhaus Archive/Museum, in Berlin, is "Bauhaus 1919-1933," an illustrated chronicle and analysis of this major movement. Key resources include the Manifesto, a Chronology, and profiles of major figures, such as Walter Gropius, Hannes Meyer, and Mies van der Rohe.

A Century of Finnish Architecture
A good overview and a few images of Finnish architecture during this last century.

Drive-Thru By-Laws:

Southeastern Region Planning and Economic Development District Model By-law for Drive Through Facilities
A public agency created to plan for the future of southeaster Massachusetts, this model by-law is part of the District's library of Zoning By-laws and Rules and Regulations.

Home Based Businesses:

New Jersey State League of Municipalities - Home based business Model Ordinance
The New Jersey State League of Municipalities is a voluntary association created to help communities do a better job of self-government through pooling information resources and brain power. Here they review the proposed New Jersey legislation concerning home based businesses and present a model ordinance.

Images/Building Photos:

Image Sources for the Built Environment
This guide will provide strategies and resources for locating sources that provide views, plans, sections, elevations, and/or details of important buildings and sites.

University of Washington Libraries - The Cities and Buildings Database
A collection of digitized images of buildings and cities drawn from across time and throughout the world, available to students, researchers and educators on the web. Contains over 5000 images ranging from New York to Central Asia, from African villages, to the Parc de la Villette, and conceptual sketches and models of Frank Gehry's Experience Music Project.

University of California Architecture Slide Library
Thumbnail architectural images linked to 32,000 records - (16%) of the library's collection of 200,000 slides. It's searchable by "seven access points: historical period; place; personal name; object name; subject terms (taken primarily from the Art and Architecture Thesaurus); source of image; and image identification number." From the University of California, Berkeley.

The Urban Landscape - Digital Image Access Project
A database of over 1000 images pertaining to urbanism from fourteen separate collections. Most of the photographs are from cities and towns in the South, including some of the 1886 earthquake in Charleston, South Carolina. Other photos show aerial views and city life and architecture in other parts of the U.S. and the world. Part of the Digital Image Access Project organized by the Research Libraries Group Photograph Preservation Task Force and including nine institutions. Links to the others are available on the Project Background page.

University of Washington Libraries Digital Collections
These unique collections of historical photographs, documents, and other visual resources depict the history, natural sciences, and regional cultures of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. "These collections are especially strong in Seattle history, architecture, labor and industry, the Klondike Gold Rush, and our natural environment" and are searchable by keywords, title, subject, description, or a variety of other fields. From the University of Washington Libraries' Digital Initiatives Program.

Great Buildings Online
An excellent international and historical directory for built architecture. Over 800 buildings and their architects are available, complete with brief biographical information, sometimes the designers words, descriptions of the buildings, and a short resource list. Each building has construction date, location, building type, and other fields. Many buildings have photos. The "architectural types" page includes lists within timelines, building types, climate, locales, architectural styles, contexts, and building elements. There are 3-D models, with technical information about viewing, as well as links to the free software required. Searchable by building name, architect, or place. Includes the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Philadelphia Historical Digital Image Library
This site has more than 3,000 images related to the study of medicine and the history of Philadelphia. These 19th and early 20th century images are searchable by topic, location, time, creator, or any combination. Topics include medical labs, alumni, nurses in practice, hospital scenes, and photos of hospitals, buildings, and everyday life specific to Philadelphia. Images include photographs, architectural drawings, postcards, and color art. A combined project of Thomas Jefferson University (one of the oldest medical schools in the U.S.) and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Photo Study Collection Database
The Getty Research Library's Photo Study Collection contains two million mostly black & white photographs documenting works of art and architecture. This site contains a searchable database for the descriptive records of about half the collection. Only a few hundred of the records are accompanied by a photograph.

Built in America
An online, searchable collection that "document achievements in architecture, engineering, and design in the United States and its territories through a comprehensive range of building types and engineering technologies including examples as diverse as windmills, one-room schoolhouses, the Golden Gate Bridge, and buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright." Also browsable by geographic location or subject. It contains thousands of photographs, written histories, field notes, and measured drawings for more than 35,000 recorded historic structures and sites. Part of the American Memory Project.

Skyscrapers.com
Skyscrapers.com is the largest database on high-rise buildings, serving more than 39GB of data and 4.2 million English webpages. Here you will find tens of thousands of buildings and companies.

Society of Architectural Historians Image Exchange
This is a collection of images of significant buildings in American architectural history from 1850-99. Included are buildings by H.H. Richardson, Frank Furness, Frederick Law Olmsted's plans for Central Park, houses by McKim, Mead and White, as well as their building for the Boston Public Library. Additionally, there are significant buildings in Chicago by Adler and Sullivan, Burnam and Root, Frank Lloyd Wright's own house, and others. This is an experimental project of the Society of Architectural Historians and is meant for teaching purposes only.

Earthlore Gothic Dreams
This site combines a good selection of graphics with a study of Gothic cathedral features. Includes a comparison of the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Canterbury, as well as an analysis of Chartres, and the Deep Dig, a glossary.

Just For Fun:

Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Section
A fascinating site with mathematical and geometrical facts as well as formulas, history, and diagrams. Included are methods of constructing golden sections in two or three dimensions. Additionally there is information about the golden section (or mean or rectangle) in architecture, art and music complete with examples. There is a discussion of Fibonacci numbers in nature as well as lists of the numbers and puzzles involving them. There are references and related links.

Online Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles online - over 800 pictures of animals, art and architecture, holidays, people and lifestyle, landscapes and cities, plants and food, sports and recreation, transportation, travel and culture, and world flags, with a choice of puzzle cuts varying in difficulty from 6 easy pieces to 247 nearly impossible pieces. A "solve" button is available to finish the puzzle or just put together the next few pieces.

Great Planning Quotes
Over 100 great planning quotes from such luminaries as Frank Lloyd Wright, Christopher Alexander, Douglas Adams and Yogi Berra.

Local Governments/Professional Organizations:

Municipal Research and Service Centre of Washington
Contains links on the following topics: Planning & Community Development - General Planning Sites; Federal Government; Washington State Government; Washington Local Governments; Planning Associations and Organizations; Out-of-State Planning Sites; Rural Land Use & Development; Smart Growth; Sustainable Development

The Town Building Institute
A not-for-profit committed to building towns with the highest quality of life. Our vision is based on the intersection of the Smart Growth (examples, story), knowledge economy and arts & entertainment trends.

Planners Web
The official website of the Planning Commssioners Journal, which is the US's principal publication designed for citizen planners, including (but certainly not limited to) members of local planning commissions and zoning boards. Includes reports, journal articles, and a wide variety of weblinks.

Ontario Professional Planners Institute
The Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) is the recognized voice of the province's planning profession. OPPI provides leadership and vision on key issues of policy related to planning, development and other important socio-economic issues.

Canadian Institute of Planners
The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) has been dedicated to the advancement of responsible planning throughout Canada since 1919. Working on behalf of planners and the planning profession, CIP serves as the national voice of Canada’s planning community.

American Planning Association
Website of the American Planning Association a nonprofit public interest and research organization committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural planning. Includes a variety of resources including information on their research work, job postings and the APA Bookstore of planning publications - where the Zoning Trilogy is a best seller!

American Society of Landscape Architects
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects is the national professional association representing landscape architects. ASLA seeks to improve public understanding of the profession and to advance the practice of landscape architecture.

American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architecture profession dedicated to serving its members, advancing their value and improving the quality of the built environment.

Planning Institute Australia (PIA)
The Australian Planning Institute was founded in 1951 and is the only national organisation representing qualified urban and regional planners and other related disciplines in Australia.

Australian Local Government Association (ALGA)
The Australian Local Government Association (then known as the Council of Australian Local Government Associations) was founded in 1947. It is a federation of associations in each of Australia's six states,the Northern Territory and the Government of the Australian Capital Territory. The Association's task is to add value at the national level to the work of state and territory associations and their member councils.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. FCM is dedicated to improving the quality of life in all communities by promoting strong, effective and accountable municipal government.

Miscellaneous:

National Association of Realtors’ Website
Information on a challenge to zoning prohibiting places of worship

US Supreme Court Decisions
Provided by the Legal Information Institute, this page contains a searchable database of all US Supreme Court decisions since 1990, and a separate database for decisions prior to 1990. It also contains "a rich assortment of caselists and finding aids which you may find useful."

Home from Nowhere - By James Kunstler
A great rant about planning and zoning. Source: Atlantic Monthly, September 1996

The Urban Futures Program
The Urban Futures Program strives to change the climate and terms of the debate over urban policy by developing and promoting voluntary, private-sector, and market-oriented solutions to urban problems. The program's principal activities focus on urban economic development policy and land-use planning at the local, regional, state, and national levels.

Church Central
This site has an archive of searchable articles on church issues. If you search for "zoning", it provides newspaper articles on common issues, churches in industrial zones, steeples exceeding height limits, discriminatory zoning etc.

Model By-laws and Ordinances:

Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD)
A public agency created to plan for the future of southeastern Massachusetts by researching, providing technical assistance, preparing bylaws and ordinances, programming funds, and preparing plans in the areas of transportation planning, data collection, comprehensive planning, and economic development. SRPEDD’s library of Zoning By-laws and Rules and Regulations, compiled from various Massachusetts communities, is a good resource on a variety of issues.

Utah League of Cities and Towns Model Ordinance Exchange (MOE)
The Utah League of Cities and Towns represents municipal government interests with a strong, unified voice at the state and federal levels and provides information, training and technical assistance to local officials on municipal issues in order to create a greater public awareness and understanding of municipal responsibilities, governance and administration. The MOE is to assist municipalities in finding model ordinances to serve as a starting point for developing their own. Topics include: Animal Control, Landscaping, Noise, Parks, Paths and Trails, Signs, Water Source, etc.

Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District - Model Landscape Ordinances
Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District is a political subdivision of the State of Utah. It is primarily a wholesaler of water to cities and improvement districts within Salt Lake County. Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District has developed model landscaping ordinances for cities to use in new commercial and residential developments. These ordinances are geared toward water-efficient design of landscape requirements.

Environmental Protection Agency - Model Ordinances to Protect Local Resources
This web site helps local governments by providing the necessary information needed to develop effective resource protection ordinances. It includes model ordinances to serve as a template for those charged with making decisions concerning growth and environmental protection. For each model ordinance listed, there are several real -life examples of ordinances used by local and state governments around the nation. Topics covered include: aquatic buffers, erosion and sediment control, open space development, stormwater control operation and maintenance, illicit discharge, post construction controls, etc.

Model Zoning Ordinances for Economic Growth
The sample zoning ordinance language provided in this publication is intended to assist local governments in the siting of certain business uses within the municipality for the purpose of promoting economic development within the jurisdiction. Provided by the New York State Governor's Office of Regulatory Reform.

Historic Landmark and District Zoning Ordinance
From the Texas Historical Commission, this model ordinance establishes an Historic Preservation Commission with varying powers and responsibilities, appoints an Historic Preservation Officer (city staff member) and establishes procedures for the designation of historic landmarks and districts.

Parking & Transportation:

Victoria Transport Parking Institute
The TDM Encyclopedia - a comprehensive and complete summary of Transportation Demand Management techniques including various parking issues.

Should Planners Underprovide Car Parking?
Institute for Sustainable Futures. See report by K. Banfield.

Flexible Parking Standards.
Part of a “toolkit” established by the State of Georgia’s Quality Growth Partnership to advise local governments on how to put quality growth principles into practice.

Transportation Association of Canada
The Transportation Association of Canada is a national association with a mission to promote the provision of safe, efficient, effective and environmentally and financially sustainable transportation services in support of Canada's social and economic goals. TAC offers a wide range of products and services of interest both to its membership and to non-member customers and stakeholders including an annual transportation conference and exhibition, technical guides and syntheses of practice, technical courses and seminars, a transportation library, databases and information search services, a quarterly newsletter, a membership directory and scholarships.

Innovative Mobility Research (IMR)
IMR is based at the California Center for Innovative Transportation (CCIT) and is closely affiliated with California Partners for Advanced Transit and Highways (PATH). IMR conducts research into innovative mobility technologies and solutions that could improve transportation options, while reducing their negative societal and environmental impacts. At present, IMR is focusing primarily on six research topic areas: Innovative Transit Fair; Carsharing & Station Cars; Low-Speed Modes Linked to Transit and Short Distance Trips; Smart Growth/Mobility; Smart Parking Management; and Innovative Corridors & 2005 ITS World Congress

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
ITE, an international individual member educational and scientific association, is one of the largest and fastest-growing multimodal professional transportation organizations in the world. ITE members are traffic engineers, transportation planners and other professionals who are responsible for meeting society's needs for safe and efficient surface transportation through planning, designing, implementing, operating and maintaining surface transportation systems worldwide.

Parking Generation - FAQ, Publications and Articles
A section of ITE's website, this page includes sources for reports and articles on parking standards for a wide variety of uses. No actual standards but rather documents with standards for purchase.

Research In Progress (RiP) Database
Managed by the Tranportation Research Board, the RiP Database contains about 6,600 records of current or recently completed transportation research projects. Each month about 100 new RiP projects are added to the database and another 150 RIP records are updated. Most of the RiP records are projects funded by Federal and State Departments of Transportation. University transportation research is also included. In 1998, the Transportation Association of Canada began supplying records from its Canadian Surface Transportation Research Database for RiP.

The National Transportation Library
A virtual library for the transportation community by the US Department of Transportation. Topics include Aviation, Economics and Finance, Energy and Environment, Freight, Geographic Information Services, Highway/Road Transportation, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Laws and Regulations, Maritime/Waterways, Operations and Traffic Control, Pedestrians and Bicycles, Planning and Policy, Public Transportation, Rail Transportation, References and Directories, and Safety and Security.

The Effect Of Maximum Car Parking Standards Including Inward Investment Implications
Oscar Faber and Jones Lang LaSalle were commissioned by the Scottish Executive in June 2001 to investigate the impact of maximum parking standards, including, the potential impact on inward investment. The text of the entire report is available, as is an executive summary. Published by the Scottish Executive, the devolved government for Scotland.

Maximum Car Parking and Minimum Bicycle Parking Space Ordinance/By-law
The recently revised (May 2003) Car and Bicycle Parking Standards for the City of Cambridge, England. Covers a complete range of uses and provides maximum standards for the number of parking spaces. Well structured tables are used, well presented and easy to read.

Recreational Vehicle Parking Standards
Established by (and for) the city of La Mesa, California, these guidelines cover where a recreational vehicle can be parked or stored, define when it must be screened from view, and control the amount of front yard area used for parking. Recreational vehicles include vehicles such as boats and campers. Excellent use of diagrams to illustrate the provisions. Can be downloaded as a PDF.

Commercial Parking Standards
An excerpt from the Code of the City of Monterey, Section 38-115 as of March 21, 2003. Provides a table of spaces required by the square footage of the establishment. This is a PDF file.

Parking Lots
From the NonPoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) website, this is a technical paper by Jim Gibbons, UConn Extension Land Use Educator, 1999. A good article on parking lot design for conservation purposes. This paper analyzes parking lot location, size, and design from a land planning perspective, emphasizing their potential adverse impact on water resources. Suggestions are offered as to how the imperviousness of these ubiquitous modern landscape features can be reduced.

Maximum Parking Standards: Derivation of Public Transport Accessibility Levels-based parking restraint
A technical report by the Greater London Authority (UK), in August 2002. This document discusses the use of accessibility levels and mode of transport for a variety of uses such as supermarkets with a view to using maximum parking standards varied by the level of access to transit, as a practical method of transportation demand management.

Regional Car Parking Standards
Part of "Regional Planning Guidance for the North West" (RPG13), part of the UK's framework for local planning, this document provides guidance for local authorities in determining maximum parking standards appropriate for a variety of uses.

Vehicle Parking Standards - Glasgow
This site contains the City of Glasgow's vehicle parking standards, which are "restraint based related to public transport availability. They set a maximum limit for trip end development. For specified residential development, basic parking standards are set for reasons of safety and to ensure that, wherever possible, residents and visitors park off-street."

Business Parking Standards: Report of Survey
This study, conducted on behalf of the British Property Federation in 2000, updates an earlier study which examined how local authorities in Britain were responding to a national government guideline on maximum parking requirements. It is a good look forward at what might happen if a state or provincial government set maximum parking standards that required implementation by local authorities.

Loading Requirement Standards for New Development
Submitted to Vancouver City Council in September 2003, this is an excellent report that brings loading space standards up to date and consistent with current truck sizes. Written after detailed studies in Vancouver, it details staff recommendations to the loading requirements for certain classes of new developments, including office and medical office uses, multiple residences, large-sized retail, hospital, wholesale, storage warehouse, and manufacturing uses.

Parking Management: Strategies for More Efficient Use of Parking Resources
Part of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute's Transit Demand Management Encyclopedia, this chapter includes discussion of the following parking related topics: Share Parking, Regulate Parking Use, More Accurate and Flexible Parking Standards, Parking Maximums, Remote Parking and Park & Ride, Improve User Information and Marketing, Smart Growth and Location Efficient Development, Improve Walkability, Transportation Management Associations and Parking Brokerage, Increase Capacity of Existing Parking Facilities, Implement TDM Programs, Price Parking, Commuter Financial Incentives (Parking Cash Out and Transit Benefits), Unbundle Parking, Tax Parking Facilities or Their Use, Control Parking Passes, Bicycle Parking, Develop Overflow Parking Plans, Address Spillover Problems, Parking Facility Design, Geographic Considerations, How It Is Implemented, Travel Impacts, Benefits And Costs, Equity Impacts, Applications, Category, Relationships With Other TDM Strategies, Stakeholders, Barriers To Implementation, Best Practices, Examples and Case Studies.

Reference/Technical Tools:

Art & Architecture Thesaurus Browser
"The AAT is a structured vocabulary containing around 125,000 terms and other information about concepts. Terms in AAT may be used to describe art, architecture, decorative arts, material culture, and archival materials. The coverage of the AAT ranges from Antiquity to the present, and the scope is global." Provided by the J. Paul Getty Trust.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) has replaced the U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. NAICS was developed jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to provide new comparability in statistics about business activity across North America.

Land-Based Classification Standards
An update of the 1965 Standard Land Use Coding Manual, from the American Planning Association. This website hosts the entire classification standards for land-based data. Standards include classification tables, color coding schemes, conversion tables, and an extensive database of over 18,000 land-use terms and 120,000 cross-links with the classification schemes. There is also a growing collection of pictures of land uses. Though not comprehensive, they nevertheless show how the multi-dimensional classification works. It also has 104 other land-use standards along with background project materials, including working papers, references, links to other online resources, and contact information.

Airport Noise Compatiblity Toolkit
The US Federal Aviation Administration has provided PDF files which include: a Land Use Planning Process Flowchart; information on FAR Part 150 Process; an overview of Land Use Controls and Noise Mitigation; and Information on an Integrated Noise Modes, Aviation Noise Demonstration System, and Land Based Classification System.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and Thesaurus

OneLook Dictionary
A search engine that looks up words and phrases, using over 900 on-line dictionaries and other sources. This site will help you define a word, spell it and translate it.

Real Property Lexicon
A searchable dictionary of real property terms. Can be downloaded in a word processing format. Contains terms related to Finance, Identification, Land, Location, Management, Measurement, Structure, Tenure and Transaction. Also available in French. Provided by the Treasury Board of Canada

Lexis Nexis Municipal Codes
LexisNexis provides authoritative legal, news, public records and business information; including tax and regulatory publications in online, print or CD-ROM formats. The web library at this site includes links to Municipal Codes published through LexisNexis Municipal Codes Publishing and Ordlink Services, close to 300 of them.

Proposal for Professional Services - Zoning Ordinance
A ten page, detailed scope of work for a consultant to prepare a new zoning ordinance for Concord, California. Does a good job of defining staff and consultant roles.

Related Fields:

Construction WebLinks
A searchable collections of links for the construction industry and related fields, including architecture and engineering. Included in Organizations are federal and state agencies, commonwealths, and territories and their laws and regulations; bidding and contract decisions, regulatory updates, and other legal documents of interest to the building industry; business and trade organizations; and colleges, universities, and libraries. Industry Topics contains licensing, financing, building codes, insurance and bonds, specifications, statistics, and more.

Builder Online.com
For and about the home building industry, includes thousands of house plans (searchable) and a database of more than 50,000 building products.

ImproveNet
This site offers many useful tools and calculators for home remodelers. There are estimators for specific jobs such as roofing or kitchen remodels or total house redesign; there are house plans and room "visualizers" and project calculators for tile, wallpaper, painting, etc. Most are free; some require Adobe Acrobat Reader or other free software. Registration (also free) allows the user to participate in newsletters and expert advice forums. It is also convenient, for comparison purposes, to have in one place the major suppliers of a particular appliance or product.

Research Centres and Institutes:

Institute of Urban and Regional Development (IURD)
The Institute of Urban and Regional Development (IURD) serves faculty and students of the University of California at Berkeley, conducting research into processes of urban and regional growth and decline, and effects of governing policies on the patterns and processes of development.

University of California at Berkeley
Internet Resources for City Planning Research

University of Wisconsin Extension Local Government Centre
Well organized site with links to a variety of planning sites.

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a nonprofit and tax-exempt educational institution established in 1974. Its mission as a school is to study and teach land policy, including land economics and land taxation. The Institute's goals are to integrate theory and practice to better shape land policy and to share understanding about the multidisciplinary forces that influence public policy. The Institute organizes its work in three departments: the Department of Valuation and Taxation; the Department of Planning and Development; and the Department of International Studies.

The Michigan Land Use Institute
The Institute is an independent, non-profit research, educational, and service organization operating in the public interest. It was founded in 1995 to establish an approach to economic development that strengthens communities, enhances opportunity, and protects the state's unmatched natural resources. Their mission from the beginning has been to help Michigan avoid the patterns of suburban sprawl and over-development that cause traffic congestion, pollution, loss of community, rising costs to individuals and governments, and a deteriorating quality of life.

Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy
A part of the Brookings Institution, this Center looks to redefine the challenges facing metropolitan America and promoting innovative solutions to help communities grow in more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable ways. Research topics include: Capital and finance,Community and neighborhood development, Competitive cities, Demographics, Housing, Jobs, Metropolitan growth, Poverty and welfare, Public services, Regional analyses, State analyses, Transportation, Urban history, Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area, Working poor and working families.

Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI)
AHURI is dedicated to drawing together researchers, policy-makers, industry and the community in order to achieve better housing market outcomes, to achieve efficient and effective housing assistance programs, and to build viable communities. Current research topics include: urban management and infrastructure; programme integration and housing assistance; indigenous housing; homelessness and marginal housing; and housing futures.

Exurban Change Project
The Exurban Change Project provides analysis of economic, social, agricultural, and land use changes of Ohio's regions and localities with a focus on exurban areas of the state. The overall goal of the project is to perform applied research on these topics and to disseminate data and research results to local officials, professionals, and interested citizens to support their planning and decision making. Based out of the Ohio State University Extension.

Congressional Research Service Reports
The National Council on Science and the Environment, and the National Library for the Environment, make these reports available on their website. These non-partisan reports are prepared by the Congressional Research Service for use by Congress and the Senate. Topics of reports include: Agriculture, Air, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Economics & Trade, Energy, Federal Agencies, Forests, General Interest, Government, Information International. International Finance, Legislative, Marine, Mining, Natural Resources, Pesticides, Pollution, Population, Public Lands, Risk & Reform Science & Technology, Stratospheric Ozone, Transportation, Waste Management Water. and Wetlands

Metropolitan Planning Council
the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of business and civic leaders committed to serving the public interest through the promotion and implementation of sensible planning and development policies necessary for a world-class Chicago region. MPC conducts policy analysis, outreach and advocacy in partnership with public officials and community leaders to improve equity of opportunity and quality of life throughout metropolitan Chicago.

Roadside Architecture:

Roadside Peek
This site offers an informative and visually fascinating look at mid-20th century American roadside architecture, including motels, coffee shops, skating rinks, and drive-in theatres. Architectural styles profiled include Googie, Tiki, and Roadside Vernacular. Route 66 landmarksare given special coverage. Site is searchable and links to ewsletters and specific landmarks are provided.

The American Highway Project Inc
Through photography and oral history interviews, this project plans to preserve and document the disappearing road culture of America. The Web site includes a gallery of photographs featuring roadside landmarks such as motels, gas stations, theaters, and other oddities found along our highways. Road Warriors will love the collection of links that lead them to old billboards, highways, diners, tourist attractions, drive-in theaters, road maps, and other gems of the American road.

Satellite/Air Photos and Maps:

TerraFly
An amazing website - an online mapping tool that features aerial photographs with accompanying street labels for any place in the U.S., and enables users to "fly over" their neighborhoods.

U.S. Landsat and National Datasets
A satellite photo based resource covering the continental United States. Includes the following layers, with easy to use zoomable imagery- Structures, Geographic Names, Transportation, Boundaries, Hydrography, Orthoimagery, Land Cover, and Elevation.

The Geography Network
According to their website, "The Geography Network is a global network of geographic information users and providers. It provides the infrastructure needed to support the sharing of geographic information among data providers, service providers, and users around the world. " We think it is THE single best source of mapping on the net. It has a site or area-specific searchable data base that provides direct links to other GIS sites. This is where to start looking.

GeoGratis
GeoGratis is a web and file transfer protocol (ftp) site that distributes geospatial data of Canada. Data is available for download, without charge. Vector mapping data is available in scales ranging from 1:50 000 to 1:30 000 000 in a variety of file formats, howevernot all vector layers are in all scales.

National Atlas of the United States
The National Atlas of the United States includes five distinct products and services. In addition to providing high-quality, small-scale maps, the Atlas includes authoritative national geospatial and geostatistical data sets. It also includes easy-to use online interactive maps. Finally, the National Atlas includes both documentation for the each map layer and articles that describe why the data were collected and how they have been used.

Smart Growth/ Urban Sprawl:

Land Use Planning
Part of the Smart Communities Network website, this is a good resource for comprehensive explanations of sprawl issues including an introduction to the causes and consequences of sprawl, using fair-share costing to control sprawl, visions for a new American dream and the historical roots of sprawl.

Sprawl Guide
The Planning Commissioners Journal Web Site has an online Sprawl Guide designed to familiarize you with key issues associated with sprawl, and direct you to some of the wealth of information available on the Web.

Model Ordinance for a Traditional Neighborhood Development
Section 66.1027 of the Wisconsin Statutes, part of Wisconsin's recent comprehensive planning and smart growth law, required the University of Wisconsin Extension to develop model ordinances for traditional neighborhood development and conservation subdivision. This is the link to the model ordinance for a traditional neighborhood prepared by Brian W. Ohm, James A. LaGro, Jr., and Chuck Strawser.

Model Ordinance for a Conservation Subdivision
Section 66.1027 of the Wisconsin Statutes, part of Wisconsin's recent comprehensive planning and smart growth law, required the University of Wisconsin Extension to develop model ordinances for traditional neighborhood development and conservation subdivision. This is the link to the model ordinance for a conservation subdivision prepared by Brian W. Ohm, Carrie Hirsch, James A. LaGro, Jr., and Tom Rogers.

EcoCity Cleveland
Sustainable city information about Cleveland. EcoCity Cleveland is the nonprofit organization that promotes ecological design, smart growth, and transportation choices in Northeast Ohio. Through projects, research, and award-winning publications, it are working to create a metropolitan region that helps people live in greater balance with nature.

Pennsylvania Growing Smarter Initiative
"The Pennsylvania "Growing Smarter" initiative is a result of the combined efforts of the Governor's Center for Local Government Services along with other state agencies, thousands of local officials and other interested citizens, working together to plan for the future health and vitality of our communities." Contains an electronic land use library and land use law library.

Smart Growth Online
This web site is a subset of http://www.sustainable.org, developed and maintained by the Sustainable Communities Network (SCN), and supported with funding from the US EPA. A searchable site with a wide variety of resources on the subject of smart growth.

Statistics & Demographics:

Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada produces statistics that help Canadians better understand their country—its population, resources, economy, society and culture. In addition to conducting a Census every five years, there are about 350 active surveys on virtually all aspects of Canadian life. Under the “Other Links” page are links to national statistics organizations around the world, as well as various international statistics organizations.

US Census Bureau
"The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy. We honor privacy, protect confidentiality, share our expertise globally, and conduct our work openly. We are guided on this mission by our strong and capable workforce, our readiness to innovate, and our abiding commitment to our customers. "

FedStats
FedStats is the new window on the full range of official statistical information available to the public from the US Federal Government. Use the Internet's powerful linking and searching capabilities to track economic and population trends, education, health care costs, aviation safety, foreign trade, energy use, farm production, and more. Access official statistics collected and published by more than 100 Federal agencies without having to know in advance which agency produces them. Note: All of the statistical information available through FedStats is maintained and updated solely by Federal agencies on their own web servers.

National Statistics Online (UK)
“This is the UK's home of official statistics, reflecting Britain's economy, population and society at national and local level. Summary stories and detailed data releases are published here free of charge.”

Australian Bureau of Statistics
“The Australian Bureau of Statistics is Australia's official statistical organisation. We assist and encourage informed decision-making, research and discussion within governments and the community, by providing a high quality, objective and responsive national statistical service.”

Statistics New Zealand
“Statistics New Zealand (Te Tari Tatau is its Mäori name) is a government department and New Zealand's national statistical office. It administers the Statistics Act 1975, and is the country's major source of official statistics.”

Stats South Africa
“Stats SA aims to produce timely, accurate and accessible official statistics to help advance economic growth, development and democracy in the new South Africa.”

Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR), University of Florida
Founded in 1929, BEBR is an applied research center in the Warrington College of Business Administration. Its mission is to collect data and conduct research on economic, demographic, and business trends in Florida and to provide information to public and private decision makers in Florida and throughout the nation.

Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Dept of Commerce
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing the most timely, relevant, and accurate economic data in an objective and cost-effective manner. A variety of economic information is available at the international, national, regional and industry levels.

Stormwater Management:

Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Model Stormwater Management Ordinances
Established by the State of Georgia in 2001, the general purposes of the District are to establish policy, create plans, and promote intergovernmental coordination for all water issues in the district; to facilitate multi-jurisdictional water related projects; and to enhance access to funding for water related projects among local governments in the district area.

Peridian Group Inc - Development of Model Ordinance to Protect Riparian Areas
A presentation by Peridian Group Inc. on behalf of Johnson County to the Kansas Water Environment Association. Describes the development of a model ordinance and provides an overview of the benefits of riparian buffers.

Project Clean Water - County of San Diego Watershed Protection, Stormwater Management and Discharge Control Ordinance
Initiated by the San Diego Board of Supervisors, Project Clean Water aims to establish a framework and local commitment for restoring and enhancing the quality of coastal and inland waters in the San Diego region. The County of San Diego Watershed Protection, Stormwater Management and Discharge Control Ordinance is offered as a model to promote regional consistency.

Telecommunication Towers:

Appalachian Trail Conference
An excellent and comprehensive checklist for ordinances dealing with telecommunication towers. Originally designed for use along the Appalachian Trail, it can be used anywhere these towers are located. A bibliography and list of suggested references are included.

Meeting the Challenges of Zoning in the Information Age: Planning For Wireless Communication Facilities
An undergraduate thesis submitted to Ball State University's Department of Urban Planning, by Timothy J. Thompson. This paper provides an overview of the topic, a literature review, an analysis of existing ordinances and provides model regulations.

Planning and Design Manual for the Review of Applications for WirelessTelecommunications Facilities
This publication provides guidance to municipalities on how to handle applications for wireless communications facilities. It explains how wireless (cellular) communications works, reviews guidelines established by the 1996 Federal Telecommunications Act, gives environmental and design review tips, and provides model local laws that your community can adapt for its particular situation. This publication was produced by the Town of Pittsford under a grant administered by the New York State Department of State.

Water Quality/Quantity:

The Rouge River Project
An excellent site with a wide variety and extensive material on the restoration of the Rouge River in Michigan. Contains detailed information on all aspects of the topic from leachate from abandoned dumps through controlling non point-source pollution to wetlands. Includes ordinances dealing with a variety of water quality issues.

NonPoint Educators for Municipal Officials (NEMO)
"NEMO: Linking Land Use to Water Quality" NEMO is an educational program for local land use officials that addresses the relationship of land use to natural resource protection. The site is a source of information on design and zoning standards as they affect water quality and quantity issues.

Zoning Manuals and Handbooks:

New York City Zoning Handbook
An excellent example of a plain language explanation of most aspects of zoning.

The Planning Commissioner's Book
A primer for new planning commissioners in California - includes a good glossary of planning terms.

Directory of Resources for Comprehensive Planning in Wisconsin
A complete "how to" guide for comprehensive planning in Wisconsin including: Guide to Multi-jurisdictional Planning; Planning Grant Close-Out Form; Guide to Plan Adoption and Submission; Guide to Preparing a RFP for Comprehensive Plans; Example Agreement for Consulting Services; and Model Ordinances.

Zoning/Planning History:

Urban Planning History 1794-1918
An International Anthology of Articles, Conference Papers, and Reports selected by John W. Reps, Professor Emeritus, Cornell University. These documents are primary source material for the study of how urban planning developed up to the end of World War I. They include statements about techniques, principles, theories, and practice by those who helped to create a new professional specialization.

Reading a Community: Doing Urban History at a Local Level
Canadian online course materials for Reading a Community, offered by University of Guelph. "A research oriented, honours urban history course, at the fourth year level. The local case study of Guelph, Ontario, will be examined in the context of regional, national, and international themes in urban history."

On the Lower East Side
Observations of Life in Lower Manhattan at the Turn of the Century, edited and compiled by William Crozier, Clarke Chambers, Patrick Costello, Chad Gaffield, and Beverly Stadium. Covers such issues as immigration, poverty, child labour and tenement housing.

Chicago in 1900
A history of Chicago and an overview of life as it existed there in 1900. Topics include architecture, crime, family economics, geography, health, transportation, commerce, education, government, population, and amusement. Each subject is accompanied by a bibliography. From the Chicago Public Library.

H-URBAN
Part of the H-NET system, H-URBAN is an international electronic discussion network, set up in February 1993 at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Its purpose is to provide a forum for scholars of urban history. The site also includes teaching guides for urban history, book reviews and job opportunities.

DICTIONARY | PROVISIONS | DIAGRAMS | RESOURCES | FORUM | SUBSCRIBE
CONTRIBUTORS | SUBMIT MATERIALS | CONTACT

©2003 Lehman & Associates - All Rights Reserved - Site by Progressive Media Group Canada