Plan NH

05/29/2026

To represent the 2020s in our one charrette from every decade series, we’re highlighting our recent 2025 Hampton Charrette.

Bringing together community voices, local leadership, and multidisciplinary design professionals, the charrette explored opportunities to strengthen Hampton’s Town Center with a focus on the Lafayette Road Corridor.

While each charrette reflects the needs of its moment, Hampton’s process highlights how collaborative planning continues to evolve, balancing community character, economic vitality, housing, mobility, public space, and long-term sustainability.

Thirty years in, the core idea remains the same... communities do their best planning when people come together to envision what’s possible.

05/27/2026

2010s Charrette Spotlight: Littleton (2012)

Continuing our journey through the decades, we’re highlighting the 2012 Littleton Charrette, focused on the Saranac Street neighborhood and riverfront area.

This charrette addressed redevelopment opportunities, pedestrian connections, downtown access, and ways to reconnect the community with the Ammonoosuc River. Ideas ranged from adaptive reuse of mill buildings and improved streetscapes to trail connections, gateway features, and stronger links between neighborhoods and the riverfront. Nearly everything from this visioning document has been implemented in Littleton — a testament to the power of community-driven visioning.

of Charrettes

05/26/2026

How do outdoor recreation, natural assets, and community design drive local economic development and long-term resilience? 🌲🏙️

Plan NH’s staff are diving into these questions as part of a 23-member cohort in UNH Cooperative Extension’s Outdoor Economy Academy this May and June!

👉 Read our latest blog post to see what we've learned so far and get a sneak peek at what’s next (including our upcoming Plymouth Community Design Charrette!): https://f.mtr.cool/xaxynwlirr

05/25/2026

2000s Charrette Spotlight: Peterborough (2005)

As part of our month-long look back at one charrette from every decade, we’re featuring the 2005 Peterborough Charrette focused on their Village Commercial District.

The community tackled questions that still resonate today, including traffic congestion, walkability, redevelopment, preserving historic character, and creating a stronger connection between transportation, business districts, and public spaces.

From roundabouts and bike connections to village-scale development and design guidelines, this charrette showcased how collaborative planning can help communities balance growth and identity.

05/22/2026

1990s Charrette Spotlight: Greenfield (1997)

This month, we’re highlighting one Plan NH Charrette from every decade — and we’re starting in the 1990s with the Greenfield Charrette which focused on the Greenfield Village Center/East Coast Steel Site.

Focused on strengthening village identity, improving walkability, and reimagining underutilized properties, this charrette explored how thoughtful planning could support community life while preserving Greenfield’s historic character.

Many of the themes raised nearly 30 years ago (i.e. housing, revitalization, public spaces, and safer village centers) continue to shape conversations in communities today.

05/15/2026

🏡 As we talk about New Hampshire’s housing shortage, we cannot overlook one of the fastest-growing and most pressing needs: housing for our aging population.

In this article, Chris Nadeau of Nobis Group highlights the urgency of expanding senior housing options, particularly “aging in place” communities that allow residents to remain in supportive environments as their needs evolve. With New Hampshire already facing a shortage of more than 20,000 housing units and a rapidly growing 65+ population, the need for thoughtful, flexible housing solutions has never been greater.

From accessible design and on-site amenities to integrated healthcare and community spaces, these developments are about more than housing. They are about dignity, independence, and long-term quality of life.

👏 Thank you to Chris Nadeau for bringing attention to this critical piece of the housing conversation.

👉 Read more: https://f.mtr.cool/rnnitfyved

05/14/2026

🏡 This Affordable Housing Week, we’re highlighting a Laconia project!

Preserving affordable housing means investing in the long-term sustainability of our buildings and the people who call them home.

In Laconia, the Summer Street Housing Complex is a powerful example of how energy efficiency upgrades can make a real difference. Improvements like insulation, air sealing, ENERGY STAR® windows and doors, and smart thermostats are helping reduce energy use while creating healthier, more comfortable homes for residents.

With projected savings of over 20,000 kWh of electricity and nearly 200 MMBtu of fuel annually, this project shows how thoughtful upgrades can lower operating costs and support lasting affordability.

👏 Thank you to NHSaves for highlighting how these investments strengthen communities across New Hampshire.

👉 Read more: https://f.mtr.cool/vqcmczomvv

Background The Laconia Housing Authority oversees 10 properties, providing 351 affordable apartments to New Hampshire residents. Through a strategic partnership with Eversource and approved...

05/13/2026

🏡 Affordable Housing Week Spotlight

Creating affordable housing isn’t just about building units, it’s about building healthier, more sustainable communities.

A great example is the Courtyard Apartments in Manchester, where energy efficiency upgrades are helping keep housing affordable for residents with disabilities and those on fixed incomes. Through improvements like insulation and high-efficiency heat pumps, the property reduced energy use, lowered operating costs, and improved year-round comfort for tenants.

This project shows how smart investments in energy efficiency can directly support long-term housing affordability, benefiting both residents and property owners.

👏 Thanks to our partners at NHSaves for sharing this story.

👉 Read more: https://f.mtr.cool/aysukzneeh

Background Courtyard Apartments is a 24-unit multifamily apartment complex located in Manchester, New Hampshire, offering affordable housing for residents with disabilities and who are...

05/11/2026

We’re excited to highlight Taylor Barry’s Special Project with Plan NH and the meaningful perspective she has brought to our work this spring. 🌱

As our Spring 2026 intern through the Semester for Impact Program, Taylor has a strong dual focus on community and environmental planning, along with an enthusiasm for charrettes, sustainability, and collaborative problem-solving. Her Special Project reflects that passion—exploring how thoughtful, people-centered planning can support stronger, more resilient New Hampshire communities.

Taylor’s energy, curiosity, and commitment to planning with purpose have made a real impact during her time with Plan NH, and we’re proud to share more about the work she’s done.

👉 Read about Taylor’s Special Project: https://f.mtr.cool/fvpwceerlf

05/07/2026

In recognition of Energy Week, we’re proud to highlight the work of our member and partner NHSaves in helping New Hampshire households lower energy costs while improving everyday comfort. 🏠🔋

From whole-home energy audits to weatherization and efficiency upgrades, NHSaves is making energy savings more accessible (and more equitable!) for homeowners and renters across the state.

Learn more about how these programs are supporting healthier, more comfortable homes:
👉 https://f.mtr.cool/agqnagdfip [nhsaves.com]