lili.rudis's blog

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has launched a new online resource that compiles information for American policy-makers, professionals, and residents seeking to green their communities.  Interested cities and towns will now find it easier to learn about best practices for sustainability projects of all scales.  The HUD describes the site’s goals and aspirations:

After the Presidents’ Day Recess, Congress will vote on the Cardin-Cochran amendment, which would give local governments, rather than state Departments of Transportation, more access to transportation funding.  The shift in funding distribution would help protect local communities and their quests to design safer streets and connections among different modes of transportation.

The Obama Administration has released its budget for the fiscal year 2013, which includes full funding for the Partnership for Sustainable Communities.  The Partnership is a collaboration among the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency. With the goals of improving access to affordable housing, creating more and more multi-modal transportation options, and protecting the environment, the Partnership for Sustainable Communities works to ensure the health of American communities.

The House has released its new transportation bill eliminating the funding that had been dedicated to repair roads and bridges in disrepair.  With the new bill, money can be spent to construct new highways before being spent to repair those already in existence, and eliminates funding for pedestrian and cyclist safety.  SmartGrowth America released the following statement and call to action in order to amend the bill for safer roads and bridges:

Check out this CPE TV to hear what a panel of Urban Land Institute experts have to say about the elimination of California's Redevelopment Agency:

See below for photos of the kick-off event for CNU's "Live/Work/Walk: Removing Obstacles to Investment" initiative. Graciously hosted by design firm a5 in their downtown Chicago offices, and co-sponsored by their GreenTown conference, the event brought together over 50 attendees to listen to presentations from CNU CEO & President John Norquist and Center for Neighborhood Technology President (and CNU Board Member) Scott Bernstein.

The Form-Based Code Institute has opened its call for submissions to the 2012 Driehaus Form-Based Codes Award.  From the FBCI website:

The Board of Directors of the Form-Based Codes Institute is pleased to announce its sixth annual award for achievement in the writing and implementation of form-based codes. 

The deadline to nominate an individual, project, policy, or organization for the 2012 Smart Growth Awards has been extended to Febraury 17th.  The annual event honors leaders advancing Smart Growth initiatives.

The Rochester Regional Community Design Center is hosting its 7th Annual Reshaping Rochester series focuding on sustainable community development in the Rochester area.  From the RRCDC website:

The White House Office of Public Engagement and The Partnership for Sustainable Communities will play host to the Code for Livability code-a-thon on January 22, 2012 at the American Public Transportation Association in Washington, D.C.  This event attracts stakeholders with backgrounds in housing, transportation, and environmental issues, as well as experts in web development, to collaborate on technology-based solutions for sustainability challenges.  Sign up today to help focus the energies of the technology community t