Books
APA Planners Press, 2009
The Citizen’s Guide to Planning
Chris Duerksen, Greg Dale, and Don Elliott authored the fourth edition of APA’s best-selling book, The Citizen’s Guide to Planning. Originally authored by Denver native Herb Smith in the 1960s, the Citizen’s Guide has helped generations of citizen planners to engage effectively in the local planning process. This new edition emphasizes the importance of sustainability, outlines key principles of planning and the law, introduces new players in the process, illustrates how plans get implemented, and guides readers in understanding and avoiding ethical conflicts.
Island Press, 2008
A Better Way to Zone: Ten Principles to Create More Liveable Cities
Donald L. Elliott, FAICP
In this book, author Don Elliott explores evolution of zoning over the course of the twentieth century and the adverse impacts of most current city zoning systems. The book identifies several assumptions behind early zoning that no longer hold true, new land use drivers that have emerged since zoning began, and basic elements of good urban governance that have been forgotten in the process. The book identifies ten sound principles for change that would correct these mistakes, produce more livable cities, and make zoning simpler to understand and use. See www.abetterwaytozone.com for more details.
APA Planners Press, 2006
Planners and Politics
Roger Waldon, FAICP
In this book, author Roger Waldon highlights eight case study examples of planners working within the political system to achieve important community objectives. The communities highlighted vary by geography, size, social-economic condition, and system of governance to illustrate common themes and broadly applicable techniques that can be effectively employed by planners across the country. Case studies focus on how planning professionals have successfully worked within their respective jurisdictions to affect positive change, mediate disputes, introduce new ideas, champion innovation, implement plans, and engage business. This book successfully relates planning history and theory to current techniques - an informative look for practitioners, scholars, and students of planning at this fundamental part of planning practice.
Bradford Publishing, 2006
Colorado Land Planning and Development Law
Donald L. Elliott, FAICP
Since 1992, Donald Elliott has served as the general editor of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th editions of the primary reference book on planning and development law in Colorado. Authored by 15 leading Colorado attorneys this book addresses the law of home rule, planning, zoning, PUDs, subdivision, takings and exactions, vested rights, annexation, special districts, historic preservation, urban renewal, and environmental protection. Discussions of each topic are cross-referenced to all related Colorado statutes and key reported court decisions from Colorado, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Originally prepared at the request of the Colorado Chapter of the American Planning Association, this book received an APA National award for Outstanding Chapter Project in 1992.
Island Press, 2005
Nature Friendly Communities
Christopher Duerksen and Cara Synder
In the book, authors Christopher Duerksen and Cara Snyder point to numerous studies showing that natural resource preservation can help retain jobs, attract new employers and contribute to strong property values. Their findings document and discuss the job attraction benefits enjoyed by communities offering the quality-of-life amenities provided by parks, recreation and open space; the substantial economic benefits of wildlife tourism; fiscal benefits associated with higher-density development patterns; and the fiscal benefits of preserving undeveloped land.
Planners Press, 2003
True West
Christopher Duerksen and James Van Hemert
The primary theme of this book is that we must intimately understand the unique character of the natural and cultural landscape in which we find ourselves and build accordingly. Most work on rural design has focused on "Eastern" or "Mid-Western" landscapes. Hiding development behind trees and building narrow roadways is not necessarily how development may be appropriately built in the West. This book examines current and historic development trends in the Rocky Mountain West to distill the key elements of architecture, site design and landscape that are distinctly western. Drawing upon examples from six major case studies to illustrate models for achieving appropriate development that is consistent with the local character of western small towns and rural areas. An overview and performance evaluation of current regulatory tools is provided.
APA Publication, 1999
Aesthetics, Community Character, and the Law
Christopher Duerksen, Matthew Goebel
How do we ensure that new development fits in appropriately with surrounding buildings, the neighborhood, and the natural environment? How do we define and protect that elusive thing known as community character? The authors answer those questions in this report, which helps land-use planners and citizens understand the law of aesthetics and the legal tools available to help their communities maintain their special features and sense of place.
American Planning Association, 1997
Habitat Protection Planning: Where the Wild Things Are
Christopher J. Duerksen and Donald Elliott
Most people realize that the presence and protection wildlife improves the quality of their lives and their communities. In this publication, written in collaboration with wildlife experts, the authors explain how to preserve important habitat in urban and development settings. The report explains how communities and developers can take a multi-disciplinary approach to protect and maintain wildlife values.
American Planning Association, 1986
Aesthetics and Land-Use Controls: Beyond Ecology and Economics
Christopher J. Duerksen
While aesthetic regulations such as height controls and historic preservation are as old as zoning laws, the process to establish those types of regulations is growing more complex and difficult. The author, who has worked on planning issues throughout the country, explains how communities can set up these types of ordinances so they can be practically applied, and legally enforced.