The U.S. has 99 problems, but water and forests are actually – as Teddy Roosevelt called them – “vital internal problems.” Unfortunately, our favorite conservationist President could only make so much headway. From reclamation projects to trying to counteract corruption and develop healthier waterways, he definitely embodied the sentiments of Progressive Era America. US Reclamation Act of 1902: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newlands_Reclamation_Act https://www.oregon...

Would someone finally do something about these tenements? Well, in 1901, New York did. From there, the focus turned to congestion of population and what to do about it because Vicks VapoRub isn’t going to clear this problem up. Enter Benjamin Marsh. If you don’t know who he is, you should, and you will. New York State Tenement Housing Act of 1901: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Tenement_House_Act http://www.livingcityarchive.org/htm/framesets...

Well, they're actually the same essays in the new format. If you got your applications in on time to submit the essays; good news. Shane and Alex from Planning Certification joined us to talk about the essays, what the review committee is looking for, and give a few tips on how to approach them. So crack those knuckles and buckle down. Don’t sweat it too much though, with their help, it’s easier than you think. Planning Certification: https://aicpexam.com/ APA’s ...

Congratulations! You decided to pursue an AICP Certification and join the group of people who put AICP after their name! Now comes the fun part of sorting out the eligibility requirements, navigating deadlines, and submitting your credentials. The APA adjusted the certification process this time around, so we’re to help you sort through the changes and walk you through the application process – and that’s before you’ve even signed up for the exam or submitted your experience essays. &nb...

From company towns to the 1893 World’s Fair and the birth of the City Beautiful Movement, to the birth of the Garden City Movement in the book Tomorrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform, planning theory and ideology really started to take shape in the final decades of the 1800’s. Pullman, Illinois http://www.pullmanil.org/town.htm#:~:text=The%20model%20industrial%20town%20of,of%20Pullman's%20Palace%20Car%20Company https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pullman,_Chicago https://www.history.c...

The end of the 1800’s marked a time when environmentalism was taking off like a jet plane (or maybe a steam engine). Advocates for the preservation and conservation of land for the public’s enjoyment started to emerge, and as timbering began threatening our most revered forests, ensuring the continued beauty of places like the Yosemite Valley became paramount. General Revision Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Revision_Act#:~:text=Often%20seen%20as%20a%20proactive,unclaim...

Hey Henry George, Show. Me. The Money!!! Oh, there isn’t any? Societal advancements are lifting up the wealthy and crushing the poor, you say? Land is being underutilized, thus stagnating wages due to property speculation which creates a disconnect between progress and poverty? Is there a solution to this problem? Links https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_George https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_and_Poverty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_capture https://en.w...

We’re picking back up with the tenements. More importantly, how the first tenements evolved into the dreaded dumbbell tenement, and how an immigrant from Denmark helped start housing reform with a future president. Every man’s experience has to be worth something. Tenement House Acts https://www.history.com/topics/immigration/tenements#:~:text=The%20Tenement%20House%20Act%20of,or%20privy)%20per%2020%20people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Tenement_House_Act https:/...

Show Notes: We’re starting our little journey today NOT in 1869 when the transcontinental railroad was completed, but rather in 1862 when Lincoln signed into law the very aptly named, ”Pacific Railway Act of 1862.” From there, we’ll see how that impacted exploration, and more importantly, the effects of John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Arid Regions. Transcontinental Railroad https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=32https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?fla...

1862 was a year filled with handing away land to promote settlement. We wanted everyone to benefit in this relatively new country and we wanted to make sure everyone had access to quality education. So how exactly did we go about doing that? Homestead Act of 1862 https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/homestead-act#:~:text=President%20Abraham%20Lincoln%20signed%20the,pay%20a%20small%20registration%20fee. https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=31 https:...