The U.S. population is expected to reach 350 million by 2025, and cities had better plan appropriately now to meet the needs of future residents, according to a new publication from the Washington-based Urban Land Institute (ULI). "The New Politics of Planning: How States and Local Governments are Coming to Common Ground on Reshaping America's Built Environment" compares old and new planning methods and analyzes the changing perspective on land use controls.

Using case studies from six states — Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, Virginia and Arizona — "The New Politics of Planning" examines how officials have addressed issues, such as constructing and maintaining public facilities, transportation, open space, affordable housing and economic development. The book also examines voting patterns on tax increases to fund growth initiatives; increasing state protections of private property rights; the rising use of land trusts that restrict land development; and the use of special districts and private governance in land use planning.

"The New Politics of Planning" is available at many local bookstores or at the ULI Web site.

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