President Obama

Reassessing Obama's Urban Policies

Having promised a new and progressive direction in urban policy, President Obama has instead been "destructive" for America's cities, argues Yana Kunichoff.

4 February 2012 - 1:00pm

Truthout

Parsing the State of the Union Address for Planners

Three pieces on last night's State of the Union address by President Obama focused largely on what wasn't said, than what was, concerning Energy, Infrastructure, and Urbanism.

25 January 2012 - 11:00am

the transport politic

America Hits the Brakes on High Speed Rail

President Obama's 25 year vision for a nationwide revolution in High Speed Rail is stuck in the station.

17 January 2012 - 11:00am

The Washington Post

Obama Uses 1906 Act to Declare Fort Monroe a Natl. Monument

In declaring Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia a National Monument, President Obama circumvents Congressional approval - which would be required to make it a National Park.

6 December 2011 - 11:00am

City Parks Blog

A Closer Look at the Infrastructure Bank

The highly anticipated "job speech" by President Obama this evening will address, among other issues, the infrastructure bank. Michael Likosky argues that it is the only possible revenue stream for the nation's $600 billion infrastructure projects.

8 September 2011 - 12:00pm

CNN Money

High Hurdles Face Obama's $53 Billion HSR Investment

President Obama's six-year, $53 billion high speed rail funding proposal must overcome stiff opposition of a skeptical Republican congress, particularly by House Transportation Chair John Mica who referenced swindler Bernie Madoff in his response.

13 February 2011 - 7:00am

Orlando Sentinel

Behind the Scenes of Obama's Urban Policy

Reporter Jarrett Murphy gets behind the curtain to reveal that the Obama administration is actually doing quite a lot for cities - just very, very quietly.

6 January 2011 - 2:00pm

City Limits

Obama Concedes Problems With "Shovel-Ready" Requirement

In an interview with the New York Times, President Obama admits that, quote, "there’s no such thing as shovel-ready projects."

14 October 2010 - 12:00pm

Transportation Nation

Obama and Historic Preservation

In a talk on Monday with residents of Fairfax, Virginia, Obama answers a question about historic preservation, and says he is a "huge booster" of preservation.

15 September 2010 - 10:00am

National Trust For Historic Preservation

Obama Calls For $50 Billion Transportation Stimulus

Calling it an investment plan in job growth in the transportation sector, the President in a Labor Day speech outlined a six-year plan for investment in road, rail, and airports to be paid for by eliminating tax breaks and subsidies from big oil.

9 September 2010 - 6:00am

The New York Times - Politics

Will President Obama's E.V. Tax Credits Only Subsidise The Rich?

At $41,000 the new Chevrolet Volt is a "rich man's ride." Charles Lane asks why is President Obama offering federal tax credits of $7,500 to help better-off American's buy expensive cars?

2 August 2010 - 9:00am

Slate

The Government Greens Its Real Estate

The Public Buildings Service, which is responsible for charging and collecting rent on 9,600 public buildings across the 50 states, has been asked to go green by retrofitting and smartening its aging buildings.

29 July 2010 - 10:00am

Fast Company

Obama Announces New Urban Policy to Shelter 1.6 Million Homeless

A total of 1.6 million people experienced homelessness last year alone. President Obama has decided to attempt to remedy this sobering fact with the new Interagency Council on Homelessness' (USICH) "Opening Doors" plan.

9 July 2010 - 2:00pm

The Daily Caller

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1 comment

Green Energy Economy Debate: Hot Air Or Feasible Goal?

In this Newshour video (with transcript), spokesmen from a liberal and conservation think tank debate each other on the feasibility of transitioning to clean, green energy from the current fossil fuel powered economy in light of the Gulf disaster.

19 June 2010 - 6:00am

PBS NewsHour

Todd Litman

"Dreams From My Father," A Planner's Perspective

Mon, 09/28/2009 - 04:24

I recently read President Obama’s autobiography, “Dreams From My Father.” It is well written and insightful. Obama uses personal stories to explore issues of identity, race, class, politics, power, and what it means to be ‘United Statesian.’ Let me share some observations about transportation and land use planning issues mentioned in the book.

Dreams from my Father