Amico ’s Post

"...Located near Chinatown, this project reignites debates over the city’s long history of displacing low-income and immigrant communities in the name of progress." learn about the history of urban development and disruption in our latest explainer: "Part 1: A 100-Year Legacy of Disruption" the first installment of our newest series: "Two Philadelphias, A City Divided" read the latest on Generocity.org 📰

Just attended the "Planning While Black: Sustaining an Inclusive Urban Renaissance" panel at the American Planning Association conference, and I'm truly inspired! It's a powerful reminder of how crucial equity is in urban planning. As planners, we must keep communities at the heart of every decision. Let's commit to making equity and inclusivity the foundation of our work. #UrbanPlanning #EquityInAction #APAConference

🏗️Sustainable Development Spotlight! For many, housing is more than just a building or a room they rent—it’s the relationships, the history, the system that brings neighbors together. This is why it’s so important for cities to take a people-centered, inclusive approach to urban development. In our final spotlight, gathered by the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) team, Somsook Boonyabancha of the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR) shares what it means to make housing development more inclusive and how urban planners and local government need to consider the needs of all residents, across neighborhoods and income levels. Learn more about equitable and sustainable urban development, and explore other stories from the field: https://lnkd.in/eZsuT9bf

Balancing progress with preservation is no easy feat—especially when history and housing needs collide. The proposed 255-unit apartment complex near the Santa Barbara Mission has sparked heated community discussions about growth, heritage, and responsible development. Can modern infrastructure coexist with centuries-old cultural landmarks? This project, filed under California’s “Builder’s Remedy,” highlights a key tension in urban planning: meeting state housing mandates while addressing local concerns like traffic, aesthetics, and infrastructure strain. It’s a test case for collaborative solutions that prioritize both community sentiment and housing goals. Read the full article to learn how this project could shape the future of urban development in California. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gZ4nnCHb

🎙️ Check out today's new episode of The Raad Life! A sit down with candidate Zhen Wu🎙️ Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Zhen Wu, an architect, urban planner, former San Clemente Planning Commissioner for 6 years, and a candidate for City Council in San Clemente’s - District 4 in 2024. 🌊 Wu standout policies and platform center on: - Responsible Development - Public Safety - Environmental Preservation - Economic Sustainability - Transparency in Governance Zhen has a background rooted in both business and community involvement. He has a solid understanding of economic development and sustainability and his involvement in local civic efforts highlights his commitment to public service, especially regarding responsible growth and development in San Clemente. His professional background allows him to bring a practical, solution-oriented approach to city governance, with a focus on transparency, public safety, and maintaining the city’s unique character, preserving San Clemente's charm while addressing the challenges of growth and development. During our sit-down we even discussed architecture and housing needs as the city and county experience demographic changes and shifting quality of life choices and how its important to focus on responsible development that aligns with the character of San Clemente. He emphasized the need for careful planning to avoid over-development while addressing housing shortages. Highlighting the importance of sustainable housing solutions that cater to a range of income levels, ensuring that new projects are both community-friendly, appropriate and sensitive, as well as environmentally conscious. Want to hear more about Zhen and what drives him to serve? Check out our conversation right here: https://lnkd.in/gtrinHdU Don’t miss out on this insightful chat! What do you think about Zhen’s vision for San Clemente? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #SanClemente #CityCouncil #TheRaadLife #CommunityFirst #LocalLeadership #SanClementeFuture #CommunityGrowth #SmartDevelopment #ResponsibleGrowth #SustainableLiving #CoastalPreservation #LocalLeadership #CityCouncil2024 #HousingSolutions #CommunityFirst #PublicSafetyMatters #TransparentGovernment #EnvironmentalSustainability #EconomicGrowth #SanClementeHousing #OneTownOneTeam #SpanishVillage #SpanishVillageByTheSea

Is segregation ruling our neighborhoods? We interviewed Sky Tallman, who has a new book on city planning, and he showed us how Jim Crow laws still operate in our zoning laws to segregate our cities and how, the housing shortage, in part at least, has been created by us through our own zoning laws. Sky, a former city planner himself, has studied this problem in depth and in this fascinating video gives us an deep insight into how this problem can be solved and how zoning affect everyone's lives. Here's link to the video short: https://lnkd.in/gUNYSTn5 Here's a link to the full video: https://lnkd.in/gx_34CRc

Looking forward to this conversation tomorrow at UC Berkeley with Ben Metcalf! We will discuss examples of social housing and how to improve and increase affordable housing in CA and the nation.

Sara C. Bronin's book "Key to the City" should be required reading for all planners - whether serving as professionals or as volunteer board members; or for that matter, anyone who cares about their community. Yes, it's about zoning, arguably the most arid of subjects. But Sara is a masterful storyteller and she makes it easy to grasp the everyday importance of this tough subject. Moreover, she puts zoning into historical and cultural settings; she assesses its shortcomings and celebrates its great potential. In particular, I was struck by this one subtle sentence: "To produce ethical outcomes, a zoning code must respond to its context." This is both analysis and prescription; one of Sara's central theses is that zoning should reward changing context with flexible response. I was left with renewed hope that zoning can simultaneously serve people's needs (all the people), promote the economy, and protect the environment. In short, zoning can help create wonderful communities that we will joyfully call home. Read this artfully written book - it's worth your time. https://lnkd.in/e4aCk_Fp

We’re proud to present the City of Reno’s video annual report, showcasing some of the tremendous work happening behind the scenes. Under the direction and steadfast leadership of the Reno City Council, this video highlights how your tax dollars are being put to good use! Key Highlights include: 🚧 Infrastructure Improvements: 755 miles of roads maintained, major street rehab projects, and upgrades to public lift stations. 🏊♂️ Moana Springs Community Aquatics and Fitness Center: A new hub for health and recreation featuring a 50-meter competition pool. 🏘 Housing Assistance: A total of $3.2 million in rental aid was provided to 1,246 households, with 1,326 affordable housing units supported. 👮♂️ 👨🚒 Public Safety: The Reno Police Department launched the Directed Engagement, Enforcement, and Deployment Strategy program, also known as DEEDS, which is a data-driven initiative aimed at reducing crime and improving safety. Additionally, the Reno Fire Department responded to over 50,000 calls and Reno Dispatch answered over 500,000 calls. 🌳 Revitalization Efforts: Continued investment in downtown revitalization projects aimed at improving public spaces and attracting new businesses. View more: https://lnkd.in/eGf5ahKj

Have you ever wondered about the poor state of roads in your neighborhood? And you wanted to do something about it but didn't know the way to do it so you moved on. I have faced a similar conundrum and I am sure a lot of other people do so. In my current work in Jana Urban Space, one of the projects I have to work on is civic engagement for urban development projects. In my research for it, I reached this insightful handbook made by Janaagraha which explains the ways you can become an active citizen and drive change in your neighborhood. So sharing it for everyone who wants to become an active citizen. Access the document here: https://lnkd.in/gYsZ93xe