Cyburbia Forums | Urban Planning Community http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/ Urban planning message board en Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:27:48 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Cyburbia Forums | Urban Planning Community http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/ Moving from smaller cities to bigger http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41557&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:13:10 GMT Any tips on moving from smaller to bigger cities as a planner?

My interests include redevelopment, bike/ped/active living planning, infill housing, smart growth, greenways ... a lot of things that don't happen in smaller cities; plus at this point I prefer a bit of an urban environment to live. I'm not thinking New York, LA, or Chicago, but rather along the lines of Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh ... don't get me wrong, I do like college towns too as long as they are not too on the political fringe.

I have worked in a small city (50,000 people) on some of these issues, and also in a growth-controlled college town, but I feel out of touch with urban issues and skills sets to a certain extent. In fact, I don't even see openings very often - is this because once someone lands a job in what is considered a"good" city, they stick around? Do most people who are mid-level or senior planners there tend to start in that city or get their foot in the door with an internship? Is it better to look in consulting given my interests?

Also, once you get to mid-level jobs, do individual planners get to work on more interesting projects? (My background is long-range planning and housing.) I've been told one advantage of being in a smaller locale is the variety of work and responsibility you get. In my case, this was true but it was also a double-edged sword - too many projects piled on too few planners, and often there wasn't political support inside the organization to actually implement or really plan.

I'd be happy to work in a 'burb of these cities as well, particularly if it were progressive around these ideas, had transit or its own historic core, etc.

Thanks in advance - I've posted a few threads here over the past week just to get some informed opinions. ]]> Career Development and Advice docwatson http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41557 <![CDATA[I'm new, and have questions...]]> http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41556&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:31:46 GMT Hey guys,

I've been reading on this site for the past few months and love it, but never got around to posting a comment.

Let me get to my point. I love geography and whatnot, but I'm not sure where to go with it. Sure, I thought urban planning would be great (and still do) but the more I do research on it, the more I see that there are many in the profession without work. I was wondering, considering all of your great insight, what you think I should do.

I love researching on cities-- their economies, their people, cultures, etc. I thought about urban planning, professor (for the research side), real estate consultant, etc. Just something where I can do some good research and maybe change the way people think about cities.

Also, if this is the wrong forum to post these kinds of questions, I apologize in advance. I looked and didn't manage to find one specializing on this sort of a topic. Thanks! ]]> Introduce Yourself Edchief http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41556 The Most Horrible Future http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41555&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:28:39 GMT Went to a presentation by our MPO today (yawn), and I was wondering what all the watered-down TODs and New Urban stuff will look like in the distant future. Not 20-40 years but the Sci-Fi future you know? That made me wonder which future depicted in Sci-Fi is really the most horrific...Is it the calm, beige, cannabilistic future of Soilent Green? Is it the post-apocalyptic Planet of the Apes? Is it the uber-urban Blade Runner future? Which one is the most horrifying and why? Went to a presentation by our MPO today (yawn), and I was wondering what all the watered-down TODs and New Urban stuff will look like in the distant future. Not 20-40 years but the Sci-Fi future you know? That made me wonder which future depicted in Sci-Fi is really the most horrific...Is it the calm, beige, cannabilistic future of Soilent Green? Is it the post-apocalyptic Planet of the Apes? Is it the uber-urban Blade Runner future? Which one is the most horrifying and why? ]]> Friday Afternoon Club ursus http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41555 Environmental planning trend http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41554&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 22:24:53 GMT golly, I knew things were grim in Portland, but didn't realize so many planners everywhere were struggling in the current job market...

I am starting a MURP program in the fall with tons of GIS experience, 2 years in consulting as an environmental scientist, and an undergrad degree in natural resources under my belt. Many of the aspects in planning are enticing to me, however, I want to leverage my background and experience to pursue environmental planning after graduation.

so my questions are:

1) How much will I be pigeon-holed when I apply for jobs that desire GIS skills. I realize I will ultimately be the one who decides if I will let that happen, but I won't be too picky once I graduate 60k+ in debt.
2) Will 2 years of consulting as a scientist work in my favor, even if it wasn't direct planning experience?
3) It seems everybody is catching on to the env. planning trend. How long until THIS market becomes saturated?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! ]]> Career Development and Advice Science2Planning http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41554 <![CDATA[I'm Emma from Baltimore]]> http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41553&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:02:05 GMT I came across this forum because I Googled "things found in a liberals home" because I started that topic on another forum that I belong to.

please visit my blog:

Moderator note:
We're kind of funny about off-topic linkage from new users. Sorry.
]]> Introduce Yourself Starring_Emma http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41553 <![CDATA[Things you always find™ on a librarian's property]]> http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41552&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:03:29 GMT Dan said it, somebody had to do it. So what things do you always find on a librarian's property?

Card catalogues.
Flash cards that say "Shhhhh."
Card game - Old Maid ]]> Friday Afternoon Club ofos http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41552 Hello to all, it has been a while. http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41551&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:01:40 GMT My name is Michael Northam, and I joined this site some time ago although I never did this introduction section which seems so useful. I currently am finishing up my Masters in Planning at the University of Arizona, and am currently working with the Drachman Institute as a research assistant for the CPPW grant. Hopefully with so many opportunities for networking on here I will get the opportunity to converse with some people! Enjoy the week, Mike My name is Michael Northam, and I joined this site some time ago although I never did this introduction section which seems so useful. I currently am finishing up my Masters in Planning at the University of Arizona, and am currently working with the Drachman Institute as a research assistant for the CPPW grant. Hopefully with so many opportunities for networking on here I will get the opportunity to converse with some people!

Enjoy the week,

Mike ]]> Introduce Yourself northam01 http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41551 Historic Commission authority level (esp. Texas planners) http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41550&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:30:07 GMT How much authority does your community's Historic Preservation/Landmark Commission exercise over their jurisdictions, and do their jurisdictions include some form of designated historically contibuting properties only, or entire jurisdictions (if both, are there any difference in level)?

Background: I am our city staff HPC liaison, and am also the project manager for our developing UDC. Our commission currently exercises wide authority over an entire district, which is basically the entire original incorporated area (small town/Austin exurb, approx. 1,000 residents in the historic district, 17,000 population in whole town), including new construction and any exterior alteration to existing structures whether they're designated as contributing by our historic resources survey or not. City staff would like to limit their purview to just the designated contributing structures, but we are facing quite a bit of pushback from the commission. Our (staff's) rationale is that noncontributing structures (such as the 100 or so ranch houses and derelict shacks in the district) should not have to wait up to a month to be included on the HPC meeting agendas (as is customary), just to be held to historical design standards that the structures don't have any similarity to. HPC has argued that they want to retain their power, and want to potentially create new contributing structures. They already oversee new construction. The present issue is only in relation to things such as (any) exterior alterations and renovations up to our 50%/$50,000 mark where they'd have to meet them all anyways. ]]> Design, Space and Place TexanOkie http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41550 Boring cities: what makes them so? http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41548&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:21:03 GMT I've seen many assertions on blogs, in message forums, and other venues that a certain city is "boring".

Students at the University at Buffalo, many of which are from the New York City area, frequently complain about how Buffalo is "boring". Buffalo, though, has a decent nightlife, a very late last call, plenty of cultural institutions and activities, outdoorsy pursuits south of town, no shortage of neighborhood and village festivals, andan interesting streetlife in some neighborhoods. For a metropolitan region of its size, there's actually quite a but going on. Then again, anyplace will seem "boring" compared to New York.

Still, one city may seem more boring or exciting compared to a similarly sized city. I've heard many say that despite a less robust economy, flat topography (excepting the Southtowns), and a gritty Rust Belt vibe, Buffalo is far less boring than Rochester. The Rochester area is very affluent, white-collar, well-educated, and in a scenic setting, but reportedly quite dull.

I'm curious about some of the factors, real or perceived, that makes a city or region seem "boring" or "exciting". What can planners do about it, if anything? Is it reasonable to expect that every speck on the map be exciting? ]]> Make No Small Plans Dan http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41548 Worst smells ever http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41547&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:05:37 GMT too many choices for a poll so your simple list please (and let's not have this get added to the flame war list, shall we?)

failed septic systems on inspection



oh and there will be a prize for the winner - I need some judges, so off the top of my head they are TOFB, RJ Maister and imaplanner

and you must have experienced it ]]> Friday Afternoon Club luckless pedestrian http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41547 Computerized record keeping http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41546&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:44:51 GMT I have a request from a small town (population: 4,000) to locate other small towns that have switched over to computerized records. They would like to ask these towns about the costs, computer programs, etc. Responses with contact information would be appreciated. Thanks! I have a request from a small town (population: 4,000) to locate other small towns that have switched over to computerized records. They would like to ask these towns about the costs, computer programs, etc. Responses with contact information would be appreciated. Thanks! ]]> Land Use and Zoning ehumstone http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41546 Requiring LEED? Process? http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41545&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:26:44 GMT Does anyone know any model ordinances which require LEED for certain building types? Its something the community will be investigating, but the big issue we see is LEED is awarded after occupancy, which creates difficulties when using it as approval criteria.

A possibility is to require a specified number of credits shown as "Anticipated" by USGBC after the Design Review but thats all we got right now.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. ]]> Land Use and Zoning Downtown25 http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41545 Planning division logo http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41544&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:39:26 GMT Hello, new member here!
Our planning division is interested in creating a division logo, and I have been given the task of coming up with some ideas for it. I've been checking around and haven't seen too many examples of planning-related logos, so I was wondering if anyone worked for a department that had one (or knew of some interesting examples). I've come up with a few of my own ideas, but could definitely use some inspiration right about now! ]]> Design, Space and Place Hypervelocity http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41544 Generalist Architect? http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41541&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:32:29 GMT I am an architect. My participation with planning is unfortunately limited, but I appreciate the importance of planning. That's all I can write now; otherwise, I will be sitting at this computer all day trying to formulate my words. Perhaps I will let future posts define me. ]]> Introduce Yourself mrdavie http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41541 A new idea on a completed site plan http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41540&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:02:27 GMT I don't consider myself a professional planner although. as an architect I offer planning services. My experience has been limited to small projects and balancing building areas with parking and landscape requirements to reach that balance to delight the developer and to get the project through planning. This site did make it through the planning commission and the plat was recorded. However, having recently passed my LEED Green Associate accreditation, I have a different "take" on this project.

Briefly described, the site contains three identical two-story "Professional Office Buildings," a bank pad and ground surface parking. What I started to sketch was three story office buildings of equal area to the two-story buildings. Then I blocked out a multi-leveled parking garage in lieu of surface parking. What this concept achieves is a smaller footprint! I ended up with a lot more open space. That's what I wanted to do, but no developer would buy this scheme! ]]> Design, Space and Place mrdavie http://www.cyburbia.org/forums/showthread.php?t=41540