Government / Politics

Taxing Oil Futures to Fund Transportation? Not So Fast, Says Wall Street

Rep. Pete DeFazio's plan to close the nation's transportation funding gap with a tax on oil futures is meeting fierce opposition.
13 November 2009 - 7:00am
Streetsblog Los Angeles

New York Tries to Dodge Superfund Status for Canal

New York City's Gowanus Canal has been heavily polluted for years. Mayor Bloomberg said the cleanup would happen, but it never did. Now the EPA is calling the troubled waterway a Superfund site and the city is kickstarting action.
12 November 2009 - 8:00am
The Architect's Newspaper

Prince Charles, Vancouverism, and the search for Sustainable Urbanism

Tue, 11/10/2009 - 16:01

This past Saturday, I had the honour of joining a group of invited urbanists and sustainability experts, in a special dialogue put on by The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, and Vancouver's Simon Fraser University. Among other things, the event was to launch a new partnership between these two innovative organizations around research and curriculum for sustainable urbanism.

Aging Technology and Infrastructure a Threat for Cities

More than 750 traffic signals in Montgomery County, Maryland, were crippled last week after the failure of a piece of electrical equipment that was 37 years old. The old technology and the repercussions are being called a warning to other cities.
10 November 2009 - 11:00am
The Washington Post

Brazilian Billboard Ban Under Pressure

The ban on billboard advertising in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is showing pressure cracks, as continued opposition to the citywide policy has some lawmakers considering a repeal.
10 November 2009 - 9:00am
The Independent

California Seeks Statewide Growth Strategy

The state of California is unveiling an effort to create a detailed strategy for how the state should grow. The ambitious plan is being kickstarted with a modest $2.5 million investment.
9 November 2009 - 2:00pm
The San Francisco Chronicle

New Natl. Parks Chief Takes Scientific Approach

Jonathan Jarvis, named the head of the National Park Service last month, says that he'll work with the National Academy of Sciences to fight global warming, which he says is "the greatest challenge ever to face national parks."
9 November 2009 - 1:00pm
The Christian Science Monitor

The Art of Civic Engagement

In Starksboro, Vermont, planners are using storytelling and community art projects to get at the heart of what matters to residents.
9 November 2009 - 9:00am
Burlington Free Press

There Are Planners, And There Are Politicians

Put the chief planners of seven of North America's most progressive cities in a room and ask about their challenges, they inevitably point to the overriding role of the political leaders they serve. Expanding public open space also was raised.
9 November 2009 - 7:00am
S.F. Streetsblog

Isn't This How We Got Into This Mess in the First Place?

In the name of economic stimulus, the government has invested deeply in the very business (real estate) that was driving the economy down. Does that make sense? Streetsblog's Ryan Avent reports.
7 November 2009 - 9:00am
Streetsblog

The Most Polluted Metro Areas in America

Atlanta tops a list of the most polluted cities in the country, according to an analysis of EPA data by Forbes.
6 November 2009 - 12:00pm
Forbes

New $6500 Tax Credit for Homebuyers

The U.S. Senate has approved an extension of the tax credit for 1st time homebuyers, which is set to expire in November. The House could vote on Thursday.
6 November 2009 - 6:00am
Builder Magazine

Tribal Battle Results in No Development for 40 Years

In 1968, the Bureau of Indian Affairs put a freeze on development in an area of Arizona that the Navajo and Hopi both claimed until the tribes could settle. It wasn't until 2006 that an agreement was reached.
5 November 2009 - 2:00pm
Los Angeles Times

Boom in Utah Town

Growth is at a standstill in most western boomtowns, but not in well-planned, thriving South Jordan, UT. An expedited permitting process and good planning are given credit as catalysts for growth.
5 November 2009 - 12:00pm
Desert News

California Election Results Reverse Trend on Growth

It's no surprise when voters in the college town of Davis, California, say no to a housing development. But it is a surprise when Modesto says "whoa" to growth, and when development-averse Santa Barbara and Ventura reject new controls.
5 November 2009 - 10:00am
California Planning & Development Report

Maryland's Smart Growth Law A Dud According To University Study

Maryland's 1997 landmark smart growth, hailed as one of the most innovative policies in the nation, has turned out to have failed in what it hoped to accomplish - preserve open space and cluster urban growth, according to a just-released report.
5 November 2009 - 7:00am
Washington Post

Stimulus Success and Challenges in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico seems to be at the head of the pack in terms of jobs created by the federal stimulus bill. But the news isn't all sunny from the island territory, as the governor moves to slash thousands of public sector jobs.
4 November 2009 - 10:00am
Christian Science Monitor

Seattle Approves Backyard Cottages

The Seattle City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow owners of single family homes to construct additional cottage-like housing units on their property.
4 November 2009 - 7:00am
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Let Me Clear My Throat

Wed, 11/04/2009 - 04:23

For those who either have been wondering about, or not regularly following, the private life and times of your correspondent, I believe some sort of explanation is in order for what appears to have been my abrupt and complete disappearance off the face of the Earth.  No, I did not get hit by an electric bus.  No, there were no sinkholes in my proverbial bike lane.  No, I didn't fatally discover an improperly phased pedestrian “Don't Walk” message on a recent signal timing field test.  In fact, I have not disappeared from the face of any planet; rather, I have been devoured by the political wranglings and machinations of a very complex and tumultuous mayoral campaign in my fantastic hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey.  More importantly, one week after being appointed Provisional Director of the Hoboken Parking Utility, my wife gave birth to a wonderful boy.  But – sniff – I did miss you!

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