The latest edition of The Illustrated Book of Development Definitions breaks new ground. It addresses traditional and new planning problems: natural and industrial disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills; new housing types and living accommodations; changes in urban design and practice like new urbanism; sustainability; pedestrian and bicycle friendly environments; and more. Joining Harvey S. Moskowitz and Carl G. Lindbloom, authors of the first three editions, are two prominent, nationally known planners: David Listokin and Richard Preiss. Attorney Dwight H. Merriam adds legal annotations to almost all 2,276 definitions. These citations from court decisions bridge the gap between land use theory and real world application, bringing a new dimension to this edition. More than 20,000 copies of previous editions were sold over four decades to professionals and government representatives, such as members of planning and zoning boards and municipal governing bodies. This first revision in ten years updates what is widely acknowledged as an essential, standard reference for planners.

Illustrated definitions are rarely found in zoning and development ordinances. Ordinances prefer the "thousand words" rather than the "single picture." Illustrations greatly simplify how standards should be applied, particularly where the lot or parcel is irregularly shaped or where there are a number of variables present, each of which might have an impact on how the ordinance might apply in a specific situation. This best-selling resource has been the mainstay of the planner's bookshelf since its first publication and it differs from other books and publications containing development definitions in three major respects: It is illustrated; most of the definitions are designed to be used directly in ordinances with little or no change; and the more complex definitions are accompanied by commentaries and annotations that explain how the definition may be used in an ordinance, along with background information pertinent to the definition. This expanded edition standardizes in one handy reference all the key terms used in zoning, subdivision, site plan, and environmental ordinances. In all, it contains 1,957 definitions and 103 illustrations that can be incorporated in local ordinances with little or no change. Written and illustrated by two professional planners with nearly eighty years of combined experience in the practice of planning and zoning, this is a basic working tool and required reference for anyone involved in land development planning and regulation.

Franklin Township is a picturesque, rural oasis with rich soils and sparkling streams in the heart of Hunterdon County. Settled in the early 1700s by Quakers, it was touched by the Revolutionary War. Although the township was never occupied by British troops, New Jersey deputy quartermaster general Moore Furman's gristmill supplied flour for George Washington's troops. Its beginnings as a farming and milling community remain at the heart of Franklin. Agriculture continues to hold cultural, historic, and scenic importance, and Hiram Deats, who manufactured a cast-iron plow patented by his father, John, in 1828, is still honored. Charming villages and hamlets boast 99 historic stone structures and 183 frame homes built before 1900. This idyllic area stands as proof that nature and bucolic farmland still hold sway in one of the nation's most densely populated states.

Despite the surge of national, state, and local preservation initiatives since the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, many American towns continue to experience a decline in the vitality of their Main Streets. Local historic preservation laws and regulations may help a town maintain its historic character and attract residents and visitors to sustain vibrant town life. However, these regulatory features may be lacking when trying to address the complex, myriad challenges facing small towns, such as loss of industry or the construction of a new highway that draws traffic away from a downtown commercial district. Preservation advocates may be more effective in revitalizing communities if they focus on preserving the intangible aspects of small-town life, as well as physical resources, by assessing the social and cultural value of places within downtowns just as they would assess a resource for its historic, aesthetic, or archaeological value during the preservation process. In order to explore the effectiveness of past and current revitalization and preservation efforts within small towns, this thesis will compare preservation initiatives of two communities in Hunterdon County, New Jersey: Lambertville and Flemington. In particular, the role and function of a Business Improvement District, which is a more recent type of organization that functions in public-private partnership, is explored in the Flemington case study. These organizations, such as Business Improvement Districts, have the potential to uphold traditional forms of historic preservation while incorporating new ideas and methods of preserving the culture of small towns by engaging with community members to ensure that their initiatives and programs reflect the social and cultural values of small town communities.