A newly hired cohort of chief bicycle officers is only the latest example of "title inflation," according to an article in Governing magazine.
Alan Greenblatt provides a tepid response to the proliferation of public sector positions with the title of chief. Greenblatt's concern: that they're might be too many "chiefs" in city halls with too little actual power to deliver any improvements to the city.
The source of inspiration or the article: the city of Atlanta's hiring of a position with that title in October 2015. According to Greenblatt, the hire signals two things: "One is that thinking about what’s good for bicyclists is a priority for Mayor Kasim Reed. The other is that it’s starting to get a little crowded in the 'C' suites."
Greenblatt focuses on the latter of these two trends as an example of "title inflation," or the "everybody get's a trophy" ethos of contemporary American culture.
Although Greenblatt acknowledges that many chiefs (or czars, as they are also sometimes called) have important work to do, their roles are also limited by budgetary limitations and a lack of real authority over partner agencies. "The worst-case scenario is that new chiefs come in and act as just one more person who can call meetings," writes Greenblatt. "By contrast, when Boston Mayor Marty Walsh created a chief streets officer last year, he invested that position with complete oversight of the transportation and public works departments."
FULL STORY: Too Many Chiefs? Chief Bike Officer Is the Latest Addition
The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall
The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.
Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities
The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
LA-to-San Francisco Night Train Closer to Reality
A train operator has entered into formal negotiations with Union Pacific to move the project forward with a projected launch date of 2025.
Lawsuit Aims to Stop Dodger Stadium Gondola
A proposed aerial tram project that would shuttle visitors to L.A.’s Dodger Stadium faces backlash from environmental and community groups.
Why Parking Reform Goes Hand in Hand With More Housing
To achieve the full benefits of ‘missing middle housing’ and make way for small-lot construction, cities must rethink parking mandates.
City of Yakima
City of Auburn
Baylands Development Inc.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.