It may be useful to remind folks that proposed improvements to our network of roadways, bridges, transit services and other elements of the surface transportation system  have to come about through a formal planning process defined in federal law. Each ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

Most folks, should they happen to think of the Federal Reserve Bank, would typically consider it in its role as central banker. They may know that the Fed helps steer the nation’s economy from any dangerous shoals and that its ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

As an alum of PennDesign, I have been receiving reminders that this year is the 50th anniversary of the publication of a major work, “Design with Nature,” by Ian McHarg. A Scotsman born near Glasgow, McHarg, after spending seven years ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

As someone with a background in city and regional planning, I suppose I should be gratified to learn of the many planning enterprises now underway in our area. Certainly, the American Planning Association and kindred professional groups serving city planners, ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

“Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized.  Make big plans; aim high in hope and work …” Those are the words of Daniel Burnham, the architect and city ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

With many things vexing our nation and world at the start of this year … a federal government with substantial portions of critical agencies in shutdown and no end in sight, a Brexit fiasco about to unfold across “the pond,” ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

With the approach of a new year, there is much unease about the state of the city. Crime, including homicides, remains at unacceptably high levels and places a cloud over efforts to invest in the city and its neighborhoods. Reports, ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

The results are in and it’s a split decision! After a process that took 14 months, Amazon has settled on the locations of its new headquarters in Greater Washington and New York City. Baltimore was one of 238 communities that ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

Once again Baltimore was in the spotlight, this time through the auspices of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Every two years since 2004 the Philadelphia Fed has been sponsoring its Reinventing Our Communities conference in the City of Brotherly ...

Tagged with: Joe Nathanson

At nearly 600 square miles in area and with an estimated 830,000 population, Baltimore County is the region’s largest jurisdiction in both size and people power.  Surrounding Baltimore City on three sides, it has enormous impact on the lives of ...

Tagged with: Al Redmer Joe Nathanson John Olszewski