President Obama

At a visit to the Argonne National Laboratory today, President Obama was expected to unveil his plan to spend $2 billion in oil and gas revenues "to find ways to replace hydrocarbons as the primary fuel for the nation’s cars, trucks and buses."

March 15, 2013 - The New York Times

Four years after a historic down payment was made on Pres. Obama's plan to connect 80 percent of Americans to fast trains, "the prospects for a national high-speed rail system seem bleak." Politics and funding challenges have derailed the plan.

February 27, 2013 - Next City

Today, President Obama is expected to flesh out the details of his plan to repair the nation’s ailing infrastructure. John Schwartz details the initiatives, which aim to circumvent Congress and capitalize on private investment.

February 20, 2013 - The New York Times

Many have commented that for a President with a strong urban background and constituency, Barack Obama has given scant attention to urban issues. Will a new program announced today change that narrative?

February 15, 2013 - The New York Times

Environmentalists likely found much to cheer in President Obama's support for bold action on climate change during the State of the Union address. Was their optimism premature?

February 14, 2013 - Grist

In an address heavy on President Obama's domestic agenda for the first year of his second term, issues of importance to planners and urbanists got plenty of play, including: the environment, energy, infrastructure, and the economy.

February 13, 2013 - The Washington Post

President Obama will reportedly call for new infrastructure investment in tonight's State of the Union address. Is there any reason to think that Congress will take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure?

February 12, 2013 - The Washington Post

On Wednesday, President Obama introduced REI CEO Sally Jewell as his nominee to become the new head of the Interior Department. Philip Bump examines how her unconventional background makes her the perfect pick.

February 7, 2013 - Grist

Lamenting the lack of a single big, transformative urban idea during President Obama's first term, Richard Florida urges the president to establish a new cabinet-level Department of Cities to build a "lasting urban legacy."

February 4, 2013 - New York Daily News

With Ray LaHood stepping down as Transportation Secretary, is it Antonio Villaraigosa's time? The Los Angeles mayor is termed-out in June and Obama needs a Latino in the Cabinet. And can he move the sustainable communities ball forward for Obama?

January 31, 2013 - California Planning & Development Reort

Matt Bevilacqua found much to cheer in the 'renewed focus on urbancentric topics' that President Obama delivered in his second inaugural address. Climate change, immigration, and inequality were among the speech's primary topics.

January 22, 2013 - Next City

Rachel L. Swarns traces D.C.'s transformation into a younger and livelier city to when a former senator from Illinois moved into a stately mansion on Pennsylvania Avenue, and brought with him urbane tastes and an iPod filled with Nicki Minaj.

January 21, 2013 - The New York Times

Undaunted by Republican opposition, public setbacks, and budgetary constraints, President Obama plans to forge ahead with his ambitious plan to develop high-speed rail systems across the U.S.

December 7, 2012 - The Washington Post

California residential utility customers will receive a 'climate dividend', about $30 twice a year as part of the nation's first comprehensive 'cap & trade' program if the CA Public Utility Commission accepts a staff proposal at its Dec. 20 meeting,

November 20, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

A series of seemingly intractable obstacles stand in the way of transforming the housing and mortgage markets to reduce government involvement. Peter Eavis asks if a second term president is exactly the force needed to overcome such obstacles.

November 9, 2012 - The New York Times

No sooner had the ink dried on the Times' "Obama's Night" headline, than planning advocates began offering suggestions for what the President should focus on in his second term. With an enduring split in Congress it's unclear what is achievable.

November 7, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Was Obama's top transportation achievement his decision to name Ray LaHood as U.S. DOT secretary? That's the argument Tanya Snyder makes in evaluating the President's hits and misses regarding transportation policy.

November 4, 2012 - Streetsblog D.C.

The silence on climate change during the presidential debates was deafening. With Hurricane Sandy disrupting the final week of the campaign, Mother Nature is having the last word.

October 30, 2012 - The Political Environment

"Another debate, another lack of urban topics," bemoans Matt Bevilacqua, reporting on last night's presidential town hall debate. Once again, issues of relevance to planners (climate change, transportation, housing, etc.) got nary a mention.

October 17, 2012 - Next American City

Conservative news outlets are recirculating a controversial speech made by President Obama in 2007, highlighting his remark that "We don’t need to build more highways out in the suburbs." Brad Plumer looks at the policy implications of his statement.

October 4, 2012 - The Washington Post