Opinion
The PlanCharlotte.org Opinion page is open to a wide range of views. Opinion pieces are labeled as commentary and are the opinions of the writers, not necessarily those of PlanCharlotte.org, the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute or the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. A PlanCharlotte link to another website does not mean we or the university endorse the opinions expressed or take any responsibility for content on outside websites.
Want to submit? PlanCharlotte.org is open to considering content from outside writers. We require factual accuracy and civil discourse. To learn more, contact Mary Newsom, mnewsom@uncc.edu or 704-687-1203, or mail to Mary Newsom, UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte NC 28223.
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Why does greenway vision remain unfulfilled?
Since at least 1980 Mecklenburg County has had a vision for greenways. But where are they? Why, despite big visions, do we have less than 50 miles? Commentary. -
An almost car-free suburb, where kids roam free
Can a suburban area be truly green? One city in Germany offers lessons in building a family-friendly environment with a small carbon footprint. Commentary. -
Storm clouds over Charlotte? A Richard Florida page-turner
Today’s urban crisis, writes Richard Florida, is as bad as the era of white-flight suburbanization and central city decay of the ’50s and ’60s. Book review. -
Is Charlotte’s bike plan update good enough?
A proposed new bicycle plan for Charlotte hits the mark in many ways. But without dedicated funding, will it be merely a feel-good exercise? Commentary. -
Can Charlotte learn these lessons in time to save lower South End?
Can lower South End survive the large-scale cookie-cutter development now ravaging South End and NoDa? David Walters offers a way forward, based on lessons from Des Moines. Yes, Des Moines. Commentary. -
Architects v. urban designers: At cross-purposes?
What would you tell architects that they need to understand about cities? Commentary. -
Transforming the city’s streets ... for everyone
Street Fight, a new book about New York’s efforts to improve pedestrian and bicycle amenities, is also relevant to Charlotte or any city feeling the tension between today’s auto-addicted culture and a growing chorus wanting more balance in the transportation system. -
Moving from zoning’s alphabet soup to describing real places
You probably know places you like. And you probably don't know whether they're MUDD-O, R-22MF or UR-2(CD). A new approach to zoning lets us envision places we like and then come up with ordinances that allow us to build them—without the arcane letters we’re used to. Commentary. -
How zoning shapes your daily life, even if you don’t know it
“Zoning” may top your list of boring topics, but it shapes your life. It’s why walking and biking are tough in Charlotte, and why driving is all but essential. And with Charlotte’s zoning ordinance about to change, here’s what you need to know. Commentary. -
Experts: SouthPark needs vision, stronger design and champions
Most of the ideas about SouthPark from a group of out-of-town development experts were what you’d hope to hear: create connections, try public-private partnerships, build a better public realm. But a few comments might raise questions or even baffle some Charlotteans. Commentary.
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