Governing

Close-up of American flag sticker on a silver subway train.

How Public Transit Became Political

A number of factors explain the partisan divide in support for transit.

March 14, 2024 - Governing

Aerial view of large building under construction with cranes against sunset sky in downtown Charlotteville, Virginia.

Opinion: Local Governments Must Take Urgent Action on Affordable Housing Funds

Cities and states have until the end of the year to decide how to spend federal affordable housing dollars.

March 10, 2024 - Governing

Three EMTs in orange uniforms putting gurney with person onto ambulance at night under freeway overpass.

Study: Unhoused People at Much Higher Risk of Death

The mortality rate among people experiencing homelessness jumped by 203 percent between 2011 and 2020.

March 5, 2024 - Governing

Aerial view of Vail, Colorado in winter with multi-story buildings in foregorund and snowy mountains in background.

Opinion: Resort Towns Must Take Action to Keep Housing Affordable

The workers that keep many popular tourist destinations running find it more difficult to find affordable housing near their jobs as more remote workers move to scenic resort areas.

February 29, 2024 - Governing

Greyhound and Amtrak buses at a temporary bus terminal in San Francisco, California.

Despite High Ridership, Intercity Bus Lines Are Eliminating Stations

Riders on the ‘forgotten stepchild’ of the U.S. transportation system find themselves waiting for buses curbside as Greyhound sells off its real estate in many U.S. cities.

February 23, 2024 - Governing

Overhead view of white Waymo self-driving car in San Francisco, California with shared bikes and scooters visible on adjacent sidewalk.

An Approach for Managing the Risks of Autonomous Cars

As ‘robotaxis’ and other autonomous vehicles make their way onto American streets, cities can take proactive steps to mitigate risks and balance the benefits and challenges of new technology.

February 4, 2024 - Governing

Three-story modern suburban office building.

Revitalizing Suburban Office Space

Suburban office buildings are also losing tenants, but face some unique challenges compared to their urban counterparts.

February 1, 2024 - Governing

Orange and white barrels with yellow caution tape blocking flooded road.

North Carolina Is Building an Online Tool to Quantify Outcomes of Flood Projects

The tool will allow local planners to evaluate impacts of flooding and prioritize projects with the biggest return on investment.

January 28, 2024 - Governing

Man sitting on wooden bench under tall streetlight at night.

Can Urban Design Truly Impact Loneliness?

Some theorists want to design cities to reduce loneliness and isolation. Others want to accommodate them.

January 23, 2024 - Governing

Aerial view of single-family homes in Issaquah, Washington.

Washington House Passes Lot Splitting Bill

Residential properties can now be split, with certain restrictions, into multiple lots to spur more housing development.

January 16, 2024 - Governing

Aerial view of coastal town of Astoria, Oregon with suspension bridge and sunset sky.

Rural Oregon Counties Struggle to Balance Growth, Affordability

Regions like Clatsop County are calling on the state to offer more resources for affordable housing.

January 2, 2024 - Governing

View of multistory buildings under construction in downtown Seattle, Washington with Space Needle and Mount Rainier in background.

Seattle Passes Building Emissions Law

The law calls for buildings larger than 20,000 square feet to eliminate fossil fuels by 2050.

December 25, 2023 - Governing

White and yellow Metro Transit streetcar in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Twin Cities Transit Agency Launches Safety Initiatives

The agency is pairing with nonprofit partners to provide on-site services and resources to riders and boosting fare enforcement without police involvement.

December 24, 2023 - Governing

Buses and pedestrians on busy Baltimore street.

Maryland Could Cut Transit Funding, Citing Budget Gap

The governor says the state remains committed to its major transit projects, but may need to reduce service to meet a growing financial shortfall.

December 22, 2023 - Governing

Aerial view of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah with snow-capped mountains in background.

How Salt Lake City Maintained a Vibrant Downtown

Unlike other major cities, the Utah capital’s downtown has seen a steady stream of visitors even as demand for office space diminishes.

December 8, 2023 - Governing

Aerial view of Newwark, New Jersey at sunset with river in foreground.

Newark Announces Supplemental Zoning Board

The temporary board will help speed up the application review process during a development boom.

November 28, 2023 - Governing

Aerial bird's eye view of unhoused encampment along roadside in Sacramento, California.

Mayors’ Meeting Focuses on Housing Crisis

As the number of unhoused Americans grows, mayors met to learn from each other and assess their needs for federal support.

November 21, 2023 - Governing

Sign showing accessible hiking trail sign with blurred forest in background.

How States Are Improving Accessibility for Parks and Trails

State parks are introducing adaptive mobility devices to help more visitors enjoy natural spaces.

November 21, 2023 - Governing

Drought tolerant desert plants including large agaves in the front yard of a Spanish-style Southern California home with red tile roof.

California Agency Awards $38 Million for Turf Replacement

The grant funds grass replacement rebates for commercial and residential properties and water-saving devices for fire stations.

November 16, 2023 - Governing

Close-up from back of woman walking on crosswalk with two small children on either side of her riding bicycles with training wheels.

USDOT Awards New Round of Safe Streets Grants

Over 200 cities and towns will receive $82 million for Complete Streets and other road safety planning and demonstration programs.

November 15, 2023 - Governing

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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.