Category Archives: Specialization
Heat, Health & Equity: The Effects of High Temperatures on Health, and Ways to Mitigate Heat in Our City
Due to the ongoing drought and high temperatures, Salt Lake County’s health experts are warning residents to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to heat.
Air Quality Is Better In Utah Today Than Ten Years Ago, But…
Join us throughout July as we think about all things air quality!
MAG Transit Studies
MAG is the regional planning organization for Utah County. Currently, there are many ongoing studies that will help inform and shape our transportation system.
SENSITIVE LANDS PLANNING: PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
Sustainable land use practices guide development and preserve what makes our communities unique while protecting public health, safety, and welfare for generations to come.
Bond Ratings are for Investors (Not Taxpayers)
In this context, a AAA bond rating says a lot about where a community is in its life cycle and very little about its management. It doesn’t say anything about how the city analyzes the viability of projects. It says nothing about its financial productivity or return on investment. It doesn’t even say anything about the quality of life there and whether people will want to stick around once the sheen wears off.
Cars Will Take the Streets Back Unless Cities Act Quickly
The pandemic forced communities to make space on their streets for people. That change should be permanent.
U.S. Housing Market Is Nearly 4 Million Homes Short of Buyer Demand
Freddie Mac says gap has widened significantly in past two years as builders struggle to keep up
Housing in the West – Growing Pains
House prices in small and midsized cities are rising rapidly in America’s Mountain West. Average home values in Colorado Springs rose by 15% between February 2020 and February 2021; prices in Bozeman, Montana, increased by nearly 20% (see chart). In Boise, Idaho house prices are up by 28%, the biggest increase among the 900 metro areas tracked by Zillow, an online listings platform.
President’s Infrastructure Proposal Includes Addressing Housing Affordability
On Wednesday, President Biden announced and outlined the next priority on his legislative agenda: a climate-centered infrastructure bill. At $2 trillion-plus, the American Jobs Plan is a far-reaching proposal to modernize and transform the built environment and infrastructure of the United States. The scope of it is impressive. The plan would, if passed, provided a […]
Rep. Curtis, Sen. Romney introduce bill to advance the Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Today, Representative John Curtis (R-UT) and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) released the following statements about their legislation to enable the construction of high priority sections of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) to enhance recreation opportunities near Utah’s most urban areas.
Utah could lose out on billions in federal funding for passenger rail
In recent years, the Wasatch Front has enjoyed the addition of commuter rail, light rail, and a streetcar. However, options are still limited for those wishing to travel beyond the Wasatch Front without a car. For the past decade, I’ve been researching how Utah could expand passenger rail across our state and connect to cities in neighboring states and do so cost effectively using existing freight rail infrastructure.
Social Equity Through Transit-Oriented Communities
Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) zoning ordinances often incentivize affordable housing development near rail lines, bus stations and transit stops in exchange for expedited processing, density bonuses and parking reductions. In addition to encouraging forward-thinking development, these communities can provide a boost toward upward mobility for underserved populations. While legislation alone cannot solve the complex issues of […]
