“Sixty-two thousand homes along New Jersey’s coast will experience chronic flooding by 2050,” said Diane Schrauth, Water Policy Director at New Jersey Future, during the 2025 NJ Planning & Redevelopment Conference (NJPRC). That will be the material reality for tens of thousands of New Jerseyans who will face skyrocketing flood insurance rates, loss of property value, and, eventually, displacement.
Posts Tagged ‘2025 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference’
Navigating New Jersey’s REAL Rules
Wednesday, July 16th, 2025When Water Holds Back Housing: What to Expect from New Jersey’s New State Fiscal Year 2026 Intended Use Plans
Tuesday, July 15th, 2025As New Jersey faces a growing housing crisis, it’s becoming increasingly clear that water infrastructure is more than just a utility concern; it’s a fundamental barrier to equitable development and housing growth.
Putting the “ART” in SmART Growth
Tuesday, July 1st, 2025What does art have to do with economic development? “Every single thing,” Tai Cooper reminds us, opening up the session, “Putting the ‘ART’ in SmART Growth: Strategies for Arts and Creative Placemaking.” When we’re looking at smart growth pillars, it’s not easily apparent how art can be connected, but it’s vital for creating vibrant communities and, in turn, economic prosperity. From theater to art mixers to murals, we benefit from art programs all the time. Bringing us closer to our community, livening up neighborhoods, and promoting economic development in the cities that we work and play in.
New Jersey’s Changing Face: Planning for Intergenerational Households in a Diverse State
Tuesday, July 1st, 2025New Jersey’s demographic shifts and our current housing supply and affordability crisis require planners and local officials to rethink what many consider “traditional” housing models and explore, embrace, and encourage a variety of living arrangements. Intergenerational housing models—living arrangements that bring together people of different generations, regardless of if they hold familial relationship—offer ways to meet our housing and community needs and plan for the future.
Planning with Purpose: Beth Osborne Calls for Local Leadership and Smart Coalitions
Tuesday, July 1st, 2025At the 2025 New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment Conference, hosted in partnership by New Jersey Future and the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association, Beth Osborne—Interim President and CEO of Smart Growth America—delivered a keynote that challenged and inspired. In front of a packed audience of planners, community advocates, and developers, Osborne made one thing clear: transformative change starts locally.
Building Mobility, Building Prosperity
Monday, June 30th, 2025Transportation is more than infrastructure—it’s a foundation for economic vitality and community well-being. In cities and towns across the globe, the quality and accessibility of transportation systems shape not only how people get from point A to point B, but also how they access opportunities for employment, education, and recreation. Strategic investments in transportation not only reduce commute times and ease congestion; they also serve as powerful engines for economic growth and community development.
Building the Future: Actions to Achieve Great Homes and Neighborhoods in New Jersey and Beyond
Monday, June 30th, 2025New Jersey is amidst a deepening housing crisis—particularly an affordability crisis. In all corners of the state, longtime residents are being priced out of their homes as housing costs soar. In fact, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, New Jersey has a shortage of over 200,000 housing units for low-income residents. Newark now ranks as the most difficult city in the United States to find a rental property. More than one-third of New Jersey residents are cost-burdened, meaning that they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. These statistics make one thing clear: New Jersey’s housing crisis cannot be ignored.
“A Historically High Level of Compliance:” New Jersey Towns Are Making Progress in Meeting Their Affordable Housing Targets
Monday, June 30th, 2025New Jersey’s high housing costs make life difficult for everyone, especially individuals and households at the lower end of the income spectrum. New Jersey’s Mount Laurel doctrine addresses the need for housing for lower-income households. The process by which towns satisfy their affordable housing obligations was recently updated with the passage of new legislation (now colloquially referred to as A4/S50), which established a formal methodology for determining municipal obligations and laid out a timeline of compliance for municipalities to follow.
The Road Ahead: Why Housing Trends Will Shape New Jersey’s Future
Thursday, June 26th, 2025On Day 1 of the New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment Conference, the keynote session “The Road Ahead: Economic, Housing, and Real Estate Trends” painted a clear picture of the challenges and opportunities shaping New Jersey’s housing future—and why the stakes are higher than ever.
From Liberation to Livability: The Deep Connection Between Juneteenth and Urban Development
Thursday, June 19th, 2025As we reflect on the powerful conversations and momentum sparked during the New Jersey Planning and Redevelopment Conference held just days ago, we also find ourselves reflecting on another moment of significance—Juneteenth. Though these two events may appear unrelated in nature, they are bound by a common thread: the enduring pursuit of freedom, equity, and opportunity for communities of color and other historically marginalized populations.
