PlanSmartNJ

Given the quagmire of this recent history of COAH proposals and litigation in NJ, maybe it’s time to review how other states are facilitating affordable housing production and to consider how their experiences could reshape New Jersey’s approach. Leading the discussion is Rachel Bratt, Professor of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University, and author or co-author of many articles, reports, and chapters in books on housing policy.

PlanSmart NJ's 4th Annual Regional Planning Summit, Stranded Suburban Real Estate Assets: Changing Economy, Changing Land Use will bring together experts in planning, redevelopment, and infrastructure to reveal the magnitude of the problem and explore methods to break through common barriers to transform New Jersey's suburbs into resilient and livable communities where people can live, work, and play.

Increasingly young workers and baby boomers alike are leaving the suburbs for higher density mixed use areas with easily accessible public transportation. This renewed interest in living and working in urban areas is helping to drive an economic boom in some of New Jersey’s cities.

Navigating NJ's complex regulatory system can be a cumbersome process and can result in costly and often conflicting results. Are there more effective solutions for managing growth in New Jersey?

New Jersey led the nation in developing isolated, single use office parks, today, New Jersey is experiencing an exodus of corporate employers, leaving behind large underutilized office buildings and retail centers and the land on which they sit. While these sites currently are a drain on the economy, they also represent an enormous opportunity to redevelop and redesign the suburbs to be more dynamic, connected, and sustainable.

New Jersey’s failure to plan for and provide housing at the right price is encouraging outmigration and affecting the economy. The panel will discuss the ramifications of such shortfalls, the need to move forward with planning for affordable housing, and the benefits to neighborhood stability and investment when affordable housing is made available. New Jersey cannot afford to wait for the court’s decision, we must begin to plan for and provide a variety of housing choices for all New Jerseyans, including the middle class.

Save the date for Regional Planning Summit hosted by PlanSmart NJ.