Funding, funding, funding–the chorus frequently heard at the inception of almost every community improvement project. Financing remains one of the largest obstacles to infrastructure improvements. The post Sustainable and Cost-Efficient: Implementing a Dig-Once Policy in Trenton first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

The rising costs of housing in New Jersey are affecting everyone, especially individuals and households at the lower end of the income spectrum. New Jersey’s unique Mount Laurel doctrine is meant to address the need for housing for lower-income households, but it also indirectly has a major effect on the supply of market-rate multi-family units in the process. The post New Jersey’s Housing Landscape: The Mount Laurel Doctrine and the Search for the Missing Middle first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

Budd Lake, New Jersey’s largest natural freshwater body, was once an attractive vacation spot in North Jersey during the latter half of the 19th century for sunbathing, swimming, boating, and nearby attractions that have continued to today. Now, Budd Lake faces water quality impairments that threaten the recreation season and associated economic activities. The post Harmful Algal Blooms impacting recreation season for NJ Lakes first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

Elizabeth is nestled on the shore of Newark Bay in Union County, a dense, urban enclave in the heart of the Meadowlands estuary and wetlands. Our neighbors include: the Newark Liberty International Airport, where planes fly by my apartment multiple times a day creating noise nuisance. The post Heat, Air Quality, and Hope: Community Research and Resilience in Elizabeth, NJ first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

Without a safe, stable place to call home, how can people achieve any personal goals?” asked Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez. Her opening remarks kicked off the session, “Housing: What’s Next in New Jersey?” at the 2024 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference. The post New Jersey Needs More Housing, and Municipalities are on the Front Lines first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

“Stormwater follows watershed boundaries, not political boundaries,” said Dr. Dan Van Abs, Professor at Rutgers University, during the 2024 New Jersey Planning & Redevelopment Conference (PRC). Many of New Jersey’s 564 municipalities grapple with flooding issues. For some, it is not uncommon for as little as three inches of rainfall to grind daily life to a halt. The post Stormwater Pays No Mind to Municipal Borders—Why Should You? first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

“We collectively work towards a future where every resident in New Jersey has access to clean, safe, and lead-free drinking water by fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge through innovation,” declared Richard Calbi, Director of Ridgewood Water, as he opened the lead service line replacement session at the 2024 Planning and Redevelopment Conference. The post Municipal Leaders Claim Public Engagement is Largest Asset to Lead Replacement Efforts first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

As the nation’s most densely populated state, New Jersey packs in more people per square mile than anywhere else. Our most vibrant cities and towns include compact, walkable downtowns and active streetscapes—complemented by accessible greenways and trails for recreation, a respite from urban life, and healthy, carbon-free travel. But being the Garden State, we can do so much more. The post Unlocking Opportunities: Securing Funding for Trail-Related Projects first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

When women are involved in urban planning, they plan for all, according to Women Mobilize Women, a worldwide network of changemakers seeking to transform the mobility sector to become more diverse and to raise awareness on the topic of gender and transport amongst planners and decision-makers in the sector. The post Making Women’s History Every Month – Meet the Women Board Members at New Jersey Future first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more

Simple, small-scale transportation features make a community a safer, healthier, and more affordable place to get around. In a community that values street safety, crosswalks are clearly marked and strategically placed to ensure easy and safe passage for pedestrians. The post NJDOT’s Safe Streets to Transit Program Is Improving Communities Across the State – Yours Can Be Next first appeared on New Jersey Future ..read more