Regional Plan Association

Abstract:Concern about environmental quality and the long-term livability of urban areas is now a driving paradigm for planning professionals. Although a modern ecological framework exists, inappropriate or outdated concepts continue to be used in the context of land-use decision making. These classical concepts emphasize a static view of the landscape and focus on short term planing of single sites. The modern framework emphasizes a dynamic view of a biologically rich urban environment with a focus on interactions among multiple sites across temporal scales. We summarize this framework by presenting five key ecological principles—content, context, dynamics, heterogeneity and hierarchy—and use the New York City Metropolitan Area as a case study to illustrate how these principles might be applied to achieve specific planning goals. We additionally use the case study as reference in providing some guidelines to more effectively incorporate the modern ecological framework in future planning.

Abstract:Traditional lane models such as the 560 mm (22-in.) unit of exit width are examined as historical artifacts and, when studied empirically, as flawed bases for minimum stair width determination. Criticisms of this lane model were presented separately by the authors as early as about 1970 and improved bases for minimum width determination were also presented. Currently, even the improved bases for minimum stair width—based on the authors’ early work—need to be updated for stair user demographics and other factors that have changed in recent decades. Three types of crowd flow are considered; coherent flow, overtaking movement, and counterflow. All of these occurred in the evacuations of the World Trade Center in 1993 and 2001. Partly as a result of the latter incident, counterflow has recently received particular attention in some US standards and building code-change deliberations that led to a minor increase—from 1120 mm to 1422 mm (44 in. to 56 in.) in minimum, nominal exit stair width requirements for certain occupancy conditions. Completing an examination of past, current and future criteria for setting minimum stair width, the authors provide suggestions for studies that will help provide significantly improved bases for such widths in the future.

Abstract:Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the implications of emerging “megaregions” in the USA and the challenges they present to planning for large‐scale systems of transportation infrastructure, environmental resources, and economic growth, and their implications for developing a national growth strategy.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the existing research on megaregions and their applications in addressing specific challenges in large geographical areas. It also discusses the efforts of a privately led initiative to create a national growth strategy and how megaregions may provide an interim scale toward national planning.Findings – The paper finds that while ad hoc megaregional partnerships and governance will help lay the groundwork for large‐scale investments and policies needed to address the expanding spatial dynamics of the twenty‐first century economy, ultimately the USA requires a national plan to prepare for future growth.Originality/value – The recognition and stud...

Abstract:Successful public transit systems increase the value of locations they serve. Capturing this location value to help fund transit is often sensible, but challenging. This article defines location va...