At a time when the future of New York's subway system looked bleak, new underground zoning legislation (the first ever) has been enacted. This new law requires buildings constructed near a subway station to provide transit easement space to allow public access to the subway through the building property. (MA)

In the mid-1800's, the canal system in the U.S. was thriving. But, by the end of that century, roads and railways had replaced these commercial thoroughfares. Renewed interest in the abandoned canals is now resulting in renovation and ecological site development in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. (MA)

Investigation has revealed that usable rooftop space in New York City is approximately 20,000 acres. Haus-Rucker, Inc. is studying this unexplo red urban edge and plans to stimulate interest in this area. Suggestions for imaginative development of these spaces include utilization of hotels, brownstones, and other building types. (MA)

This article compares two approaches to regional planning. In San Francisco, a citizen-initiated supra-agency was organized to prevent overdevelop ment of the coastline. The New York coastline, developed by one man, Robert Moses, is now victim of an inadequate and inefficient system of development that ecologically threatens the area. (MA)

In this article, renewal of the inner urban edge is discussed. Norfolk (Virginia) is attempting to blur the difference between old and new neighbor hoods through zoning and architectural controls. Cincinnati (Ohio) is developing an environmentally sound hillside design. Reading (Pennsylvania) is utilizing old railyards for greenbelts of hiking and…

For years, American riverfronts have been shaped by the shippers and merchants who used them. Now, when more, easily accessible space is needed for living and leisure activities, developers in Memphis, Austin, and Los Angeles are beginning to look once again to the riverfront for a solution. (MA)