Resources
These resources are selected to help local leaders, elected officials, and economic development professionals plan for growing and vibrant communities.
Codes that Support Smart Growth Development
EPA
Good codes are the foundation upon which great communities are built.
Project Database
Congress for New Urbanism
Library of previous CNU projects, from regional-scale visions to single-building historic renovations.
Streets & Transportation
Project for Public Spaces
Streets designed only to move cars can work so much harder.
Wilkinsburg Downtown Preservation
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation
Story of how the PHLF engaged with Wilkinsburg in their preservation activities.
National Preservation Legislation
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Description of the National Preservation Act as well as other recent legislation and executive orders that relate to the preservation of historic or sacred sites.
Preservation Briefs
National Park Service
Guidance on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings - especially useful to Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program applicants because they recommend methods and approaches for rehabilitating historic buildings that are consistent with their historic character.
Best Practices for Your Organization’s Website
Main Street America
How to develop your digital storefront.
Smart Transportation Guidebook
NJDOT and PADOT
Planning and Designing Streets that Support Sustainable and Livable Communities.
Great Public Spaces
Project for Public Spaces
Examples from around the world.
Rural Placemaking: Making the Use of Creativity in Rural Communities
Housing Assistance Council
Highlights creative placemaking initiatives across rural America including economic development in the Mississippi Delta, housing developer collaboration with arts groups and artists, and a tribal development project.
A Guide to Revitalizing Pennsylvania's Small Downtowns
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania
This guide provides a variety of low cost tools and strategies for small communities to remake their downtown into the hub of activity they once were.
Technical Assistance Library
National Alliance of Preservation Commissions
Articles, research studies, and technical bulletins on a variety of topics to help preservation commissions operate more effectively and proactively.
Wynnefield, PA Retail Development Strategy
Wynnefield Overbrook Revitalization Corporation
Strategies used to support businesses in Wynnefield’s primary commercial districts, as part the Wynnefield Overbrook Revitalization Corporation development initiatives.
Innovation Districts
Brookings
Innovation districts facilitate the creation and commercialization of new ideas, and leverage their distinct attributes.
Complete Streets Best Policy and Implementation Practices
American Planning Association
Descriptions and examples from the implementation of Complete Streets policies.
What is Placemaking?
Project for Public Spaces
Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of every community.
Complete Streets Basic Resources
Smart Growth America
Essential resources to understand and get updates about Smart Growth America's 'Complete Street' design framework.
Best Complete Streets Policies of 2018
Smart Growth America
Assessment of the top 10 Complete Streets policies, using Smart Growth's improved framework that elevates equity and implementation.
Historic Preservation Zoning and Ordinances
PA Historic Preservation and Museum Commission
Links to state and federal legislation that protect archaeological and historic resources.
Developing a Downtown Marketing Strategy
YFactor
Recommendations for creating a multi-year strategy, stakeholder engagement, and vision development