United States

Reset America

Author Kurt Andersen's new book describes the last three decades as a period of wanton growth, from homes to waistlines. He sees the economic bust as a way to return sanity and size appropriateness.

July 29, 2009 - Boing Boing

Top Cities for Local Food

The Huffington Post offers a mouth-watering slide show of the top 10 cities for locavores, and asks readers for suggestions of examples they might have missed [Slideshow]

July 28, 2009 - Huffington Post

Builders Vs. Firefighters in National Battle Over Sprinklers

A fierce battle is brewing over new requirements for sprinklers in homes. Firefighters say the sprinklers are needed, but builders say the Sprinkler Code Coalition is having undue influence on code development.

July 28, 2009 - The Center for Public Integrity

Incentives for Energy Efficiency Expanding

The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Administration are looking to increase energy efficiency incentives for homeowners, including opportunities for larger home loans.

July 28, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Countering the High Costs of Paratransit

A huge but largely under-noticed portion of public transit money goes to paratransit -- equipment and services to transport disabled people. Now, cheaper alternatives are emerging.

July 28, 2009 - Governing

Sotomayor on Property Rights

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor was part of an appeals-court panel in 2006 that favored a private developer with the authority to seize land by eminent domain.

July 27, 2009 - The Christian Science Monitor

Taking to the Road? More Power to You

Two inventors explain devices that would allow energy to be harvested along highways and from the highways themselves.

July 27, 2009 - The New York Times

LaHood To Congress: VMT-Reduction A 'Must' To Reduce Global Warming

Testifying to the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee on July 14, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood clearly states that fuel efficiency must be complemented with livable communities and transit to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions.

July 27, 2009 - Fast Lane (DOT blog)

How Did We Get Here?

In an interview, Rep. Jim Oberstar gives a retrospective of American infrastructure funding and talks about the need to consider transportation in light of the "post-interstate era."

July 26, 2009 - PBS: Blueprint America

The Resilient and the Rest

This piece from Forbes looks at which cities will recover fastest from the recession -- and which ones won't.

July 26, 2009 - Forbes

Building Codes: Most Important Aspect of Climate Bill

Architect Edward Mazria looks at the climate bill heading to the Senate for approval and argues that its most important part is the section on building energy codes, which he calls "more powerful than 100 nuclear plants".

July 25, 2009 - Grist

Transportation Bill Could Face Months-Long Delay

The federal transportation bill seems unlikely to pass any time soon, according to legislators. They have yet to reach any consensus about the mechanisms for funding the bill.

July 25, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Listed Properties Mapped by Google

Google Maps now feature visual displays of homes and properties that are listed for sale.

July 25, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Stimulus Funds New Transit Projects, Doesn't Sustain Old Ones

The Obama administration has been touting its dedication of $48.1 billion in stimulus money to roads and transit projects. But it's all going towards new projects, not day-to-day operational needs.

July 25, 2009 - The Nation

Poticha Appointed to HUD Position

Shelley Poticha, President and CEO of Reconnecting America and past executive director of the Congress for New Urbanism, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Sustainable Housing and Communities at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

July 24, 2009 - Reconnecting America

Sabotaging the Smart Grid

James Surowiecki argues that state governments are sabotaging the economic recovery, and simultaneously sinking the creation of a smart energy grid.

July 24, 2009 - The New Yorker

Tracking Metropolitan Unemployment

A recent report from The Brookings Institution examines unemployment trends in the urban and suburban areas of the top 100 metropolitan areas in the U.S., mainly by looking at the demand for "safety net" services.

July 24, 2009 - The Brookings Institution

A Look at Housing Prices in the Recession

These two posts from Richard Florida look at how housing is faring during the economic recession. He looks at home prices in 300 metro areas, and how things have changed between the peak in 2006 to today.

July 24, 2009 - Creative Class Exchange

Energy Secretary Steven Chu Entertains Daily Show's Jon Stewart

While the Comedy Show's Jon Stewart can't get too excited about “Cap & Trade,” Secretary of Energy Steven Chu does his best to explain the importance of the Waxman-Markey climate legislation to him.

July 23, 2009 - The Daily Show

Higher Gas Prices Equals Lower Mortality?

Author Chris Steiner looks at the public health and public safety ramifications of higher gas prices.

July 23, 2009 - Forbes Magazine

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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.