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The mission of PDA is to focus on planning for the future of the City of St. Louis through effective measures of planning, design review, construction plan approval, code compliance, and housing assistance.

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1. How would someone of my age make a change on an infrastructural level?

2. How do you put changes into action?

3. How has the work of the County Planners affected change in St. Louis in the past?

4. What specific strategies are being implemented in St. Louis County's current land use and zoning plans to promote sustainable development and address housing affordability?

5. How is the St. Louis County planning department incorporating community feedback into its transportation and mobility initiatives to ensure that the needs of residents are met?

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The City of St. Louis is initiating a significant overhaul of its land use and zoning plans. This effort aims to modernize regulations to better align with community needs and development goals. The proposed changes are intended to promote sustainable growth, enhance neighborhood livability, and address issues such as housing affordability and economic development. Community engagement is a key component of the process, with opportunities for residents to provide input and shape the future of their neighborhoods. The overhaul reflects a broader trend in urban planning that seeks to create more inclusive and adaptable environments.

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City of St. Louis works to overhaul land use and zoning plans

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First Alert 4 is looking into an issue that some people say is plaguing the City of St. Louis. They say the current blueprint for business is limiting the city’s growth.

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The City of St. Louis has announced a new Transportation and Mobility Plan aimed at improving the city's transportation infrastructure and promoting safer, more efficient travel options. The plan focuses on enhancing public transit, increasing accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, and integrating various modes of transportation. Community input is emphasized, with public meetings scheduled to gather feedback from residents. The initiative reflects a commitment to sustainability and aims to create a more connected and mobile city, addressing current challenges in transportation and mobility.

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City of St. Louis Developing Transportation and Mobility Plan

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Initiative will help shape the vision for improved connectivity

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The article critiques suburban design in St. Louis, highlighting issues such as car dependency, lack of walkability, and fragmented communities. It argues that the region's layout prioritizes vehicles over pedestrians, resulting in disconnected neighborhoods and limited public spaces. The piece emphasizes the need for urban planning that fosters inclusivity, accessibility, and vibrant community life. It calls for a reevaluation of existing designs to create more sustainable, engaging environments that enhance the quality of life for residents.

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St. Louis’ Sad Suburban Design - NextSTL

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How (Bad) Urban Design Affects the Way We Feel Hanging outside of a bar with a group of friends in Turin, Italy, I’m amazed at how the city feels so alive. The night is black, the piazza lights cast a dim yellow, and the streets are filled with countless people out and about. They’re enjoying […]

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During my visit to the St. Louis County Department of City Planning, I gained valuable insight into urban planning and zoning aspects. We explored how zoning defines land use, applying categories like C1 for low-intensity areas and C3 for large corporations. I learned about the ongoing challenge of updating the comprehensive plan, which dates back to 1980 and no longer reflects the current needs of St. Louis. The team also discussed issues like excess parking, wide roads, and how outdated designs have contributed to unsustainable urban growth. Abby, who lives in an unincorporated area, shared how her work directly impacts her community. Paul emphasized the often unnoticed but essential role of long-range planning in shaping daily life. We spent the day scanning documents and reviewing site plans, which provided a hands-on look at how planning decisions are made and the importance of creating sustainable, community-focused land uses.

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Julian and Alberto working to sort and scan files so they can be accessed by the general public

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A map of the county color-coded based on the zones of the parcels 

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Lucy and Jake learning how to use the scanner

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Housing Diversity Makes Communities More Resilient against Economic Downturns

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Past research has shown that neighborhoods with diverse housing types (i.e., a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, small and large multifamily buildings, and so on) can also promote racial and income diversity. This study posits that communities with a broad range of housing types and prices provide another benefit: greater stability in the face of a housing market downturn like the foreclosure crisis.

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A video of a model of a building that we made to practice meeting codes and zoning requirements

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I heard:

Abby teaching us about her life as a county planner

Papers rustling, maps, plans, documents, and many more

Laughter from our group

Gretchen telling us how the county planners do community outreach

Other government employees that had different jobs in the same building

Crafting

I saw:

Paige and Lucy crafting

Different types of maps of St. Louis county

Employees working on the plan for the future of the county

Collaboration between departments

Julian completing the site plan checklist

I felt:

Curious

Inquisitive

Bored

Excited to learn more

I learned:

How to make a site plan

How to assess a site plan

How to assess a re-zoning request

I realized:

There are so many things going on behind the scenes of the county that I never though to appreciate

The day to day of a county planner is more monotanous than I previously thought

I know:

That I will have more to learn tomorrow

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This was a site plan submitted for which we had to analyze and crosscheck the legal description. This makes sure that those that go over the plan in the future are able to cross reference the plans with the legal description and trust that both are accurate.

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4 ways to make a city more walkable | Jeff Speck

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I used to think: City planning was only focused on the future.

Then I learned: City planning is a balance between addressing present issues and planning for the long term. It’s not only about envisioning the future but also about solving current challenges like outdated infrastructure, zoning adjustments, and sustainable growth. Working with planners like Abby, Paul, and Gretchen, showed me how detailed the work is, from reviewing site plans to understanding zoning categories and accommodating community needs in real-time.

Now I think: City planning is an ongoing process that is inclusive of the past, present, and future. It requires a responsive approach, one that adapts to immediate needs while still keeping a strategic vision in mind. It’s about building a community that thrives now and remains resilient for decades to come.

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This is a picture of our group getting ready to help set up Christmas lights for the Winter Wonderland event in Tillie's Park.

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We got to attend a press conference for the signing of a bill that would allow the planning department to create a plan that would make the county more effective in climate action.

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The New Urbanism is a design movement toward complete, compact, connected communities—but it is also a generator of ideas that transform the landscape. Communities are shaped by the movement and flow of ideas, and the New Urbanism has been a particularly rich source of the currents that have directe…

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Highlights

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Knowledge on cities and quality of life is crucial for present and future development.

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Urban planning and policy will benefit from evidence-based knowledge.

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Pathways from built environment to subjective well-being can guide urban planning.

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The seven pathways are: travel, leisure, work, social relationships, residential well-being, emotional responses, and health.

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Urban planning strategies for improving subjective well-being in cities are presented.

Abstract

In light of the rapid global urbanization, providing a better quality of life in cities is becoming an increasingly critical issue for urban planning. However, the links between the built environment and subjective well-being are not sufficiently understood. This paper reviews the evidence on the range of pathways linking the built environment to subjective well-being. Seven potential pathways are identified and reviewed: (1) travel, (2) leisure, (3) work, (4) social relationships, (5) residential well-being, (6) emotional responses, and (7) health. Based on this knowledge, the paper presents an overview of strategies for improving subjective well-being through urban planning. Among others, proposed strategies are to: enhance conditions for active travel; improve public transport while restricting cars; provide easy access to facilities and services; develop or steer technology and emerging mobility options to improve inclusiveness and quality of life for different groups; integrate various forms of urban nature as much as possible; provide accessible, inclusive public spaces and communal spaces; maintain upkeep and order in urban space, vegetation, and transport systems; implement noise reduction strategies; develop aesthetically pleasing buildings and public spaces based on residents' needs and preferences; and reduce socio-spatial inequalities while providing support for housing and transport for vulnerable groups.

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Urban planning and quality of life: A review of pathways linking the built environment to subjective well-being

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Knowledge on cities and quality of life is crucial for present and future development. * Urban planning and policy will benefit from evidence-based knowledge. * Pathways from built environment to subjective well-being can guide urban planning. * The seven pathways are: travel, leisure, work, social relationships, residential well-being, emotional responses, and health.

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What: We worked to design a parklet in between three streets.

So What: This reaffirmed for me that the amount of factors that go into designing any space make it a very time consuming effort.

Now What: Knowing this, I can look to future projects and alot myself more time than I think I might need. I can also have a greater appreciation for every space around me because I know how thoughtful someone must have been to design it.

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We designed a parklet. This showed me how much care goes into each design. It was also a good opportunity to think outside the box about ways to revitalize a community.