Mary Newsom comes away from a conference on cities concerned that the gains of the past decades in cities - improved transit, downtown revitalization - could be destroyed by budget cuts.
Newsom documents a slew of cuts to police, emergency services, schools and transit around the country:
"Governments are slashing transit crucial to many workers' ability to get and hold jobs. [New York Times reporter Michael] Cooper reported on a suburban Atlanta county that eliminated its bus system, stranding 8,400 daily riders. Local governments are also closing libraries, recreation centers and schools."
Newsom looks in particular at her home state, North Carolina, where Republicans are refusing to renew a temporary 1-cent sales tax and instead cut into public universities.
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The city of Philadelphia is facing a $649 million budget shortfall, and Mayor Jim Kenney is proposing to cut deeply from the city's housing budget to make up the difference.
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The private non-profit organizations that support half of New York City's public parks anticipate up to a 60% decrease in funding at a time when people rely on parks more than ever before.
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Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
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The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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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.
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