#commercial — Public Fediverse posts

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141753/ Trump negeert AI-risico’s en geeft voorrang aan Amerikaanse technologische dominantie #AI #anthropic #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #DonaldTrump #OpenAI #Zakelijk

[#TRADESHOW] ICE CREAM #CHINA 2026 from September 16 to 18, 2026, at #Tianjin Meijiang #International #Convention and #Exhibition #Center. As a leading #IceCream #trade #show and #frozen #food #industry #expo in China, #event serves as a #B2B #platform for #suppliers, #manufacturers, #buyers, and #distributors across the full #business food value chain. #Fair provides strong #commercial value for #sourcing ingredients, equipment, packaging, and finished #products. https://cnbusinessforum.com/event/ice-cream-china-2026/

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141657/ Krijg je de pensioenbonus levenslang? Pensioendienst geeft duidelijk antwoord #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

The #GreaterBayArea #Conference 2026 brought nearly 300 government officials, consular representatives, #business #executives, academics and policy specialists to #HongKong, #China on 3 September. Discussions examined how #HK can connect the #Guangdong-Hong Kong-#Macao Greater Bay Area with #international #markets through #finance, #technology, #commercial aerospace and education. https://chinaexpohub.com/greater-bay-area-conference-2026-maps-hong-kongs-role-in-finance-space-and-ai/

The #GreaterBayArea #Conference 2026 brought nearly 300 government officials, consular representatives, #business #executives, academics and policy specialists to #HongKong, #China on 3 September. Discussions examined how #HK can connect the #Guangdong-Hong Kong-#Macao Greater Bay Area with #international #markets through #finance, #technology, #commercial aerospace and education. https://chinaexpohub.com/greater-bay-area-conference-2026-maps-hong-kongs-role-in-finance-space-and-ai/

The #GreaterBayArea #Conference 2026 brought nearly 300 government officials, consular representatives, #business #executives, academics and policy specialists to #HongKong, #China on 3 September. Discussions examined how #HK can connect the #Guangdong-Hong Kong-#Macao Greater Bay Area with #international #markets through #finance, #technology, #commercial aerospace and education. https://chinaexpohub.com/greater-bay-area-conference-2026-maps-hong-kongs-role-in-finance-space-and-ai/

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308405/ Column | Kom niet aan het talent van Derk Boswijk als tekstschrijver #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308399/ Prinsjesdag 2026: dit betekent het gelekte begrotingsakkoord voor klimaat en stikstof #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Klimaatverandering #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308393/ Deze mannen uit Vlijmen winnen landelijke brandweerwedstrijd #112 #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141601/ Duitsland overweegt om mee te doen met het GCAP-gevechtsvliegtuigproject na mislukking van het FCAS-project #Airbus #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #duitsland #fcas #GCAP #gevechtsvliegtuig #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308387/ Paternotte (D66) hekelt houding Hans Spekman: ‘Zie alleen maar scheldwoorden, laten we iets doen om vooruit te komen’ #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141597/ Canadees premier Carney wil nauwere banden met EU – De Tijd #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308377/ Ondernemers opgetogen: kabinet opent debat over loondoorbetaling bij ziekte – Het Financieele Dagblad #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141589/ Tesla Cybercab vs. kinderachtige idioot: man springt telkens voor rijdende robotaxi #AmerikaanseAuto #AutonoomRijden #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308371/ Ouders blij met socialemediaverbod voor kinderen: “Zelf toezicht houden gaat van mijn schermtijd af” #Business #Commercial #Dutch #INTERNET #kinderen #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #ouders #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141581/ Vier aanbiedingen bij Action, TEDi, Zeeman en Wibra die je niet wil missen #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308363/ Reinoud vond een trouwring en ging op zoek naar de eigenaar: wat volgde was een groot mysterie #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #ring #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141575/ TUI laat dertigtal passagiers met bestemming Brussel achter in Marokko #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141567/ Hogere opbrengst voor je geld: 2 banken verhogen intrest op spaarrekeningen #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308353/ Kleine restaurants in de knel door ‘no-shows’: “Kan verschil zijn tussen winst en verlies draaien” #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141515/ Uitval Saudische pijpleiding bedreigt 4 procent van wereldwijde oliebevoorrading – De Tijd #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308279/ Het partijbestuur van Pro is als de dood dat leden de verkeerde partijfamilie kiezen  #Business #Commercial #Dutch #EuropeesParlement #EuropesePartij #groenen #ledenreferendum #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #partijdemocratie #ProgressiefNederland #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141495/ Heb jij deze populaire powerbank? Overheid waarschuwt voor ernstig brandgevaar #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308247/ Werkgeversbaas waarschuwt dat oneerlijke concurrentie uit China onze industrie kapotmaakt: ’We zijn buitengewoon naïef’ – De Telegraaf #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308237/ Elisa (23) uit Emmen over kritiek van VVD’er Brekelmans op parttime werken: ‘Zo makkelijk is het niet’ #Arbeidsmarkt #Business #Commercial #DRENTHE #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141433/ Koopjes scoren: ALDI opent nieuwe outletwinkel op 19 september #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141425/ Eieren bewaren: zo blijven ze langer vers en wordt bacteriegroei afgeremd #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308205/ Deze index wordt al sinds 1979 bijgehouden en brak deze zomer zijn eigen record. Welke gevolgen heeft dat voor ons? #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308179/ Verplichting e-facturatie en digitale btw-rapportage #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141381/ Historische autocollectie van wijlen gokmiljonair Willy Michiels trekt veel kijklustigen in Aalst: “Beter dan het autosalon” – nieuwsblad.be #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308171/ Energiecontract 2026: deze 5 stegen tot €60 per maand #Business #Commercial #Dutch #energierekening #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Samenleving #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308161/ Paternotte (D66) wil levensverwachting naar 90 jaar: voeg afslankmedicatie toe aan basispakket #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/308151/ Kleine restaurants in de knel door ‘no-shows’: “Kan verschil zijn tussen winst en verlies draaien” #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

A #Macao–#Malaysia #business #seminar in Kuala Lumpur generated 54 #cooperation agreements and nearly 120 business-#matching sessions, highlighting expanding #commercial #links between #ASEAN and #China’s Guangdong–#HongKong–Macao Greater Bay Area. https://chinaexpohub.com/macao-malaysia-seminar-secures-54-agreements-across-tourism-ai-and-healthcare/

A #Macao–#Malaysia #business #seminar in Kuala Lumpur generated 54 #cooperation agreements and nearly 120 business-#matching sessions, highlighting expanding #commercial #links between #ASEAN and #China’s Guangdong–#HongKong–Macao Greater Bay Area. https://chinaexpohub.com/macao-malaysia-seminar-secures-54-agreements-across-tourism-ai-and-healthcare/

A #Macao–#Malaysia #business #seminar in Kuala Lumpur generated 54 #cooperation agreements and nearly 120 business-#matching sessions, highlighting expanding #commercial #links between #ASEAN and #China’s Guangdong–#HongKong–Macao Greater Bay Area. https://chinaexpohub.com/macao-malaysia-seminar-secures-54-agreements-across-tourism-ai-and-healthcare/

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141267/ Deze index wordt al sinds 1979 bijgehouden en brak deze zomer zijn eigen record. Welke gevolgen heeft dat voor ons? #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/307957/ Waarom mobiele data bijna niets meer kost, maar je rekening toch blijft stijgen #Business #Commercial #Dutch #mobiel #MobielNetwerk #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Tech&Electronica #telefoon #telefoonabonnement #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/307945/ Gasvoorraad wordt deze winter nog minder gevuld, maar wat als het straks heel koud wordt? #aardgas #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Energiecrisis #gasvoorraad #KlimaatEnEnergie #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #winter #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/nl/307935/ John de Wolf in actie tegen vapen onder jongeren: ‘Stoppen, echt stoppen' – Rijnmond #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Feyenoord #Gezondheid #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #Nieuws #NL #SCHIEDAM #voetbal #Zakelijk #ZORG

https://www.europesays.com/nl/307929/ Afschaffen kleinbrouwerstarief leidt tot ophef in biersector. ‘De compensatie moet juist omhoog’ #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141237/ Topman cosmeticabedrijf Nivea waarschuwt: “We willen niet de volgende auto-industrie worden” #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

https://www.europesays.com/be-nl/141221/ Algemeen directeur stad Tienen Patricia Willems krijgt topfunctie bij Vlaamse overheid #BE #België #Belgium #Business #Commercial #Zakelijk

Planning Lessons from the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone

If you have not visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Tennessee side, you may not be aware of the otherworldly experience that awaits outside the park along “The Parkway” (generally signed as U.S 441 or TN 66 for most of its length). Here are some planning lessons from this eye-popping stretch of commercial chaos. Peace!

• It is approximately 35 miles from Interstate 40 to the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within that distance, one can observe some good examples of land use planning in the United States, but many more bad ones. It’s almost like a 35 miles long microcosm of America.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg, despite its commercial vacationland persona and image is actually quite an attractive community. The city has found ways to mitigate much of (not all) the commercialism with a touch of panache. Being a heavily forest city and having adopted architectural design standards are both helpful.

• On the bad side – The transition from revered natural sanctuary in the abutting national park to instant urbanity is quite shocking. One feels like they passed through a time warp or the land use equivalent of the looking glass.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg may have more mid-block pedestrian crosswalks per capita than another city in the country. This enhances pedestrian movement, which during the often congested traffic is likely the quickest mode of travel about town.

• On the bad side – Pigeon Forge is much the antithesis of Gatlinburg. This retired planner’s jaw dropped while driving through Pigeon Forge. Think the Vegas Strip, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando all combined.

• On the good side – Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville has a walkable downtown with interesting sights. By the way, her statue is very sweet. Sevierville has done a nice job of promoting historic and notable sights in the central core. The streetscaping along several downtown streets is also quite impressive.

• On the bad side – Outside of downtown, Sevierville appears to have caught the same “sprawlitis” virus that infected Pigeon Forge.

• On the good side – Thank goodness there is a serene natural forest buffer between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to break up the continuous sprawl along “The Parkway.”

• On the mixed side – Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer trolley transit services, though the headway of 15-25 minutes +/- along The Parkway between rides is too long during peak seasons is less than ideal.

• On the bad side – One really has to wonder how many of the millions of tourists who come to the maze of commercialism along “The Parkway” actually go and visit the beauty and sanctity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• On the mixed side – For those of us who love the great outdoors, this region offers amazing opportunities to commune with nature along with a great deal of easily accessible services…as long as you are willing to pass in and out of the time warp.

• Question to consider – Exactly how does one develop ordinance language for “uniquely-styled” buildings designed and built as an obvious tourist attraction?

• On the unknown side – Not all commercial enterprises are successful along “The Parkway” despite the millions of people attracted here. Planning for the reuse and/or redevelopment of such sites must be considered…preferably during the initial review process.

• On the curious side – One also has to also wonder how and when do the locals safely pop their heads out from the safety of their abode to run errands and whatnot while the coast is relatively clear. Planning for the locals amid a vast sea of visitors is a unique challenge to tourist communities. Fyi – there are a number of posts/stories on the internet by locals on how best to negotiate or avoid the traffic here in the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone.

Planning Lessons from the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone

If you have not visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Tennessee side, you may not be aware of the otherworldly experience that awaits outside the park along “The Parkway” (generally signed as U.S 441 or TN 66 for most of its length). Here are some planning lessons from this eye-popping stretch of commercial chaos. Peace!

• It is approximately 35 miles from Interstate 40 to the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within that distance, one can observe some good examples of land use planning in the United States, but many more bad ones. It’s almost like a 35 miles long microcosm of America.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg, despite its commercial vacationland persona and image is actually quite an attractive community. The city has found ways to mitigate much of (not all) the commercialism with a touch of panache. Being a heavily forest city and having adopted architectural design standards are both helpful.

• On the bad side – The transition from revered natural sanctuary in the abutting national park to instant urbanity is quite shocking. One feels like they passed through a time warp or the land use equivalent of the looking glass.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg may have more mid-block pedestrian crosswalks per capita than another city in the country. This enhances pedestrian movement, which during the often congested traffic is likely the quickest mode of travel about town.

• On the bad side – Pigeon Forge is much the antithesis of Gatlinburg. This retired planner’s jaw dropped while driving through Pigeon Forge. Think the Vegas Strip, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando all combined.

• On the good side – Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville has a walkable downtown with interesting sights. By the way, her statue is very sweet. Sevierville has done a nice job of promoting historic and notable sights in the central core. The streetscaping along several downtown streets is also quite impressive.

• On the bad side – Outside of downtown, Sevierville appears to have caught the same “sprawlitis” virus that infected Pigeon Forge.

• On the good side – Thank goodness there is a serene natural forest buffer between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to break up the continuous sprawl along “The Parkway.”

• On the mixed side – Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer trolley transit services, though the headway of 15-25 minutes +/- along The Parkway between rides is too long during peak seasons is less than ideal.

• On the bad side – One really has to wonder how many of the millions of tourists who come to the maze of commercialism along “The Parkway” actually go and visit the beauty and sanctity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• On the mixed side – For those of us who love the great outdoors, this region offers amazing opportunities to commune with nature along with a great deal of easily accessible services…as long as you are willing to pass in and out of the time warp.

• Question to consider – Exactly how does one develop ordinance language for “uniquely-styled” buildings designed and built as an obvious tourist attraction?

• On the unknown side – Not all commercial enterprises are successful along “The Parkway” despite the millions of people attracted here. Planning for the reuse and/or redevelopment of such sites must be considered…preferably during the initial review process.

• On the curious side – One also has to also wonder how and when do the locals safely pop their heads out from the safety of their abode to run errands and whatnot while the coast is relatively clear. Planning for the locals amid a vast sea of visitors is a unique challenge to tourist communities. Fyi – there are a number of posts/stories on the internet by locals on how best to negotiate or avoid the traffic here in the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone.

Planning Lessons from the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone

If you have not visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Tennessee side, you may not be aware of the otherworldly experience that awaits outside the park along “The Parkway” (generally signed as U.S 441 or TN 66 for most of its length). Here are some planning lessons from this eye-popping stretch of commercial chaos. Peace!

• It is approximately 35 miles from Interstate 40 to the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within that distance, one can observe some good examples of land use planning in the United States, but many more bad ones. It’s almost like a 35 miles long microcosm of America.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg, despite its commercial vacationland persona and image is actually quite an attractive community. The city has found ways to mitigate much of (not all) the commercialism with a touch of panache. Being a heavily forest city and having adopted architectural design standards are both helpful.

• On the bad side – The transition from revered natural sanctuary in the abutting national park to instant urbanity is quite shocking. One feels like they passed through a time warp or the land use equivalent of the looking glass.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg may have more mid-block pedestrian crosswalks per capita than another city in the country. This enhances pedestrian movement, which during the often congested traffic is likely the quickest mode of travel about town.

• On the bad side – Pigeon Forge is much the antithesis of Gatlinburg. This retired planner’s jaw dropped while driving through Pigeon Forge. Think the Vegas Strip, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando all combined.

• On the good side – Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville has a walkable downtown with interesting sights. By the way, her statue is very sweet. Sevierville has done a nice job of promoting historic and notable sights in the central core. The streetscaping along several downtown streets is also quite impressive.

• On the bad side – Outside of downtown, Sevierville appears to have caught the same “sprawlitis” virus that infected Pigeon Forge.

• On the good side – Thank goodness there is a serene natural forest buffer between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to break up the continuous sprawl along “The Parkway.”

• On the mixed side – Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer trolley transit services, though the headway of 15-25 minutes +/- along The Parkway between rides is too long during peak seasons is less than ideal.

• On the bad side – One really has to wonder how many of the millions of tourists who come to the maze of commercialism along “The Parkway” actually go and visit the beauty and sanctity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• On the mixed side – For those of us who love the great outdoors, this region offers amazing opportunities to commune with nature along with a great deal of easily accessible services…as long as you are willing to pass in and out of the time warp.

• Question to consider – Exactly how does one develop ordinance language for “uniquely-styled” buildings designed and built as an obvious tourist attraction?

• On the unknown side – Not all commercial enterprises are successful along “The Parkway” despite the millions of people attracted here. Planning for the reuse and/or redevelopment of such sites must be considered…preferably during the initial review process.

• On the curious side – One also has to also wonder how and when do the locals safely pop their heads out from the safety of their abode to run errands and whatnot while the coast is relatively clear. Planning for the locals amid a vast sea of visitors is a unique challenge to tourist communities. Fyi – there are a number of posts/stories on the internet by locals on how best to negotiate or avoid the traffic here in the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone.

Planning Lessons from the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone

If you have not visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Tennessee side, you may not be aware of the otherworldly experience that awaits outside the park along “The Parkway” (generally signed as U.S 441 or TN 66 for most of its length). Here are some planning lessons from this eye-popping stretch of commercial chaos. Peace!

• It is approximately 35 miles from Interstate 40 to the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within that distance, one can observe some good examples of land use planning in the United States, but many more bad ones. It’s almost like a 35 miles long microcosm of America.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg, despite its commercial vacationland persona and image is actually quite an attractive community. The city has found ways to mitigate much of (not all) the commercialism with a touch of panache. Being a heavily forest city and having adopted architectural design standards are both helpful.

• On the bad side – The transition from revered natural sanctuary in the abutting national park to instant urbanity is quite shocking. One feels like they passed through a time warp or the land use equivalent of the looking glass.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg may have more mid-block pedestrian crosswalks per capita than another city in the country. This enhances pedestrian movement, which during the often congested traffic is likely the quickest mode of travel about town.

• On the bad side – Pigeon Forge is much the antithesis of Gatlinburg. This retired planner’s jaw dropped while driving through Pigeon Forge. Think the Vegas Strip, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando all combined.

• On the good side – Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville has a walkable downtown with interesting sights. By the way, her statue is very sweet. Sevierville has done a nice job of promoting historic and notable sights in the central core. The streetscaping along several downtown streets is also quite impressive.

• On the bad side – Outside of downtown, Sevierville appears to have caught the same “sprawlitis” virus that infected Pigeon Forge.

• On the good side – Thank goodness there is a serene natural forest buffer between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to break up the continuous sprawl along “The Parkway.”

• On the mixed side – Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer trolley transit services, though the headway of 15-25 minutes +/- along The Parkway between rides is too long during peak seasons is less than ideal.

• On the bad side – One really has to wonder how many of the millions of tourists who come to the maze of commercialism along “The Parkway” actually go and visit the beauty and sanctity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• On the mixed side – For those of us who love the great outdoors, this region offers amazing opportunities to commune with nature along with a great deal of easily accessible services…as long as you are willing to pass in and out of the time warp.

• Question to consider – Exactly how does one develop ordinance language for “uniquely-styled” buildings designed and built as an obvious tourist attraction?

• On the unknown side – Not all commercial enterprises are successful along “The Parkway” despite the millions of people attracted here. Planning for the reuse and/or redevelopment of such sites must be considered…preferably during the initial review process.

• On the curious side – One also has to also wonder how and when do the locals safely pop their heads out from the safety of their abode to run errands and whatnot while the coast is relatively clear. Planning for the locals amid a vast sea of visitors is a unique challenge to tourist communities. Fyi – there are a number of posts/stories on the internet by locals on how best to negotiate or avoid the traffic here in the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone.

Planning Lessons from the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone

If you have not visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park from the Tennessee side, you may not be aware of the otherworldly experience that awaits outside the park along “The Parkway” (generally signed as U.S 441 or TN 66 for most of its length). Here are some planning lessons from this eye-popping stretch of commercial chaos. Peace!

• It is approximately 35 miles from Interstate 40 to the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Within that distance, one can observe some good examples of land use planning in the United States, but many more bad ones. It’s almost like a 35 miles long microcosm of America.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg, despite its commercial vacationland persona and image is actually quite an attractive community. The city has found ways to mitigate much of (not all) the commercialism with a touch of panache. Being a heavily forest city and having adopted architectural design standards are both helpful.

• On the bad side – The transition from revered natural sanctuary in the abutting national park to instant urbanity is quite shocking. One feels like they passed through a time warp or the land use equivalent of the looking glass.

• On the good side – Gatlinburg may have more mid-block pedestrian crosswalks per capita than another city in the country. This enhances pedestrian movement, which during the often congested traffic is likely the quickest mode of travel about town.

• On the bad side – Pigeon Forge is much the antithesis of Gatlinburg. This retired planner’s jaw dropped while driving through Pigeon Forge. Think the Vegas Strip, Myrtle Beach, and Orlando all combined.

• On the good side – Dolly Parton’s hometown of Sevierville has a walkable downtown with interesting sights. By the way, her statue is very sweet. Sevierville has done a nice job of promoting historic and notable sights in the central core. The streetscaping along several downtown streets is also quite impressive.

• On the bad side – Outside of downtown, Sevierville appears to have caught the same “sprawlitis” virus that infected Pigeon Forge.

• On the good side – Thank goodness there is a serene natural forest buffer between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge to break up the continuous sprawl along “The Parkway.”

• On the mixed side – Both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer trolley transit services, though the headway of 15-25 minutes +/- along The Parkway between rides is too long during peak seasons is less than ideal.

• On the bad side – One really has to wonder how many of the millions of tourists who come to the maze of commercialism along “The Parkway” actually go and visit the beauty and sanctity of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

• On the mixed side – For those of us who love the great outdoors, this region offers amazing opportunities to commune with nature along with a great deal of easily accessible services…as long as you are willing to pass in and out of the time warp.

• Question to consider – Exactly how does one develop ordinance language for “uniquely-styled” buildings designed and built as an obvious tourist attraction?

• On the unknown side – Not all commercial enterprises are successful along “The Parkway” despite the millions of people attracted here. Planning for the reuse and/or redevelopment of such sites must be considered…preferably during the initial review process.

• On the curious side – One also has to also wonder how and when do the locals safely pop their heads out from the safety of their abode to run errands and whatnot while the coast is relatively clear. Planning for the locals amid a vast sea of visitors is a unique challenge to tourist communities. Fyi – there are a number of posts/stories on the internet by locals on how best to negotiate or avoid the traffic here in the Great Smoky Sprawl Zone.

https://www.europesays.com/nl/307885/ ‘De meeste kiezers profiteren van box 3 – ingrijpen kan dus stemmen kosten’ – Het Financieele Dagblad #Business #Commercial #Dutch #Nederland #Nederlanden #Nederlands #Netherlands #NL #Zakelijk

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