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Full-Text Articles in Urban Studies and Planning
The Political Geography Of Maine’S Economic Future: Cities And Their Metro Regions, Joseph W. Mcdonnell
The Political Geography Of Maine’S Economic Future: Cities And Their Metro Regions, Joseph W. Mcdonnell
Maine Policy Review
Following a global trend that now has more than 55 percent of the world population living in cities and their metro regions, Maine’s economic and population growth are driven by our cities and the surrounding metro areas. The trend, however, will not meet Maine’s goal to attract a future workforce and reduce greenhouse gas emissions without regional solutions to housing, education, homelessness, climate adaptation, and public transportation. Meeting these challenges will require a loosening of attitudes about local control and an embracing of regional solutions to the critical issues inhibiting Maine’s economic growth. The political leadership of the state, cities, …
Municipal Restructuring In Québec: Some Lessons For Maine, David F. Wihry
Municipal Restructuring In Québec: Some Lessons For Maine, David F. Wihry
Maine Policy Review
With the push to consolidate municipal and school administrative functions growing stronger in Maine, David Wihry draws upon the recent government consolidation experiences of the Province of Québec to point out some “lessons learned” with applicability to Maine. He notes that any push for substantial municipal restructuring in Maine will depend on the intensity of public concern over issues such as tax burden and economic development, and on the strength of opposing political influences. Wihry suggests that the local impetus to consolidate may never be strong enough without vigorous state leadership and incentives to advance either the discussion of options …
Revitalizing Maine’S Service Centers, John Melrose
Revitalizing Maine’S Service Centers, John Melrose
Maine Policy Review
Maine’s 77 “service center” municipalities account for a large proportion of all the state’s consumer retail sales, jobs, services, and tax revenues from income, sales and property taxes, and are home to most of the state’s higher education and health care institutions. However, John Melrose points out that Maine’s public policy turns “worse than a blind eye” to these communities. He presents the policy recommendations put forth in a strategic plan by the Maine Service Centers Coalition for supporting and strengthening service centers. These include leveling the financial playing field between service centers and other communities; improving local government administration …
Housing Policies In Maine: A Historical Overview, Frank O’Hara
Housing Policies In Maine: A Historical Overview, Frank O’Hara
Maine Policy Review
Frank O’Hara traces the evolution of Maine’s housing policies from Maine’s settlement after the Revolutionary War to the current era, where concerns about sprawl and the preservation of communities have come to the fore. In doing so, O’Hara points out that the approach to housing has always reflected more than a desire to ensure every person has adequate shelter. Rather, it reflects core values and beliefs about society, our sense of beauty, and our relationship to the environment and one another. O’Hara urges policymakers to keep these broader constructs in mind when addressing Maine’s future housing needs. As history shows, …
The Importance Of Moderately Priced Rental Housing To Continued Economic Growth (Or, Portland’S Rental Housing Plight), Erin Maclean
The Importance Of Moderately Priced Rental Housing To Continued Economic Growth (Or, Portland’S Rental Housing Plight), Erin Maclean
Maine Policy Review
Currently, the Greater Portland, Maine area is experiencing a significant shortage in both subsidized rental housing and moderately priced, market-rate rental housing. According to Erin MacLean, the problem is that even with heightened demand, historically low interest rates, and historically high rents, developers are finding that new, market-rate housing is too expensive to build in Portland. The lack of moderately priced housing has affected local business owners as well, who report they are finding it difficult to hire workers in the $8 to $15 range. Their efforts to recruit and retain workers place an upward pressure on wages, which can …