Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Americana
The building has stood at the corner for a hundred and eighteen years. Red brick, two stories, cast-iron columns flanking a recessed entry, a limestone date stone reading 1908. The ground floor has held a dry goods store, a five and dime, an insurance agency, and for the last six years a coffee shop that […]
The fields of urban and rural planning, community development, and sustainability are evolving faster than ever. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, the right planning books and sustainability books can offer fresh insights, practical tools, and long-term vision. This curated list is a mix of casual and academic reads—including new releases […]
Planning Practice at a Crossroads—Tradition, Technology, and the Natural World Rural communities are at a pivotal moment. Faced with shifting demographics, economic restructuring, and intensifying climate pressures, the planning profession is evolving rapidly. And with that evolution comes a wealth of opportunity—for rural areas to not only adapt but to lead with creativity, resilience, and […]
When rural communities face big challenges, they often turn to their greatest strength: each other. Across the United States and Canada, small towns are not just exchanging ideas—they’re creating policy that works. From cross-sector partnerships and locally led innovation to smart governance reform, rural America is building solutions grounded in collaboration, flexibility, and place-based leadership. […]
