John Calimente reviews a new book that aims to explain the complicated back-and-forth that happens when government teams up with private interests on development projects.
The book, Partnerships in Urban Property Development by Nigel Dubben and Brendan Williams, primarily covers the public/private partnerships that came out of the U.K.'s Private Finance Initiative (PFI):
"it was launched in 1992 to bring private money into public sector developments, to provide value for money as well as transfer the risks of provision to the private sector, as much as possible. The trend has been increasing since the PFI was introduced, and they now accounts for more than one-fifth of all public capital spending in the United Kingdom. The record is mixed, however, as to whether they save governments money or cost them more, depending on how the contract is laid out. Inexperience by public sector clients seems to be a prime factor that leads to poor design and cost overruns."
FULL STORY: Partnerships in Urban Property Development

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie