Government / Politics
In Crosswalks, Public Art Meets Transportation
Colorful, engaging crosswalks aren’t the norm, but they’re popping up around the country. And while they aren’t in line with federal guidelines, they have transformed streets and intersections.
Shuttering a Large Coal Plant: A Tale of Two States
Environmentalists in California are upset that Los Angeles will build a new 840-megawatt natural gas plant to replace a 1,800-megawatt coal plant. The coal plant has been crucial to the economic development of Millard County, Utah.
The Post-Wildfire Dilemma: Rebuild or Retreat?
Even after experiencing devastating wildfires, residents are often willing to take the risk to return and start over.
Et Tu, Portland?
Opinion: The Rose City joins the nationwide attack on neighborhood-scale public involvement—and throws its pioneering model of grassroots democracy under the bus.
The Car-Centric World and the Ongoing Expansion of Police Powers
While cars are still equated with freedom of mobility and personal liberty, they've also offered courts the chance to expand police powers in the public realm, time and time again.
Tampa's 'All for Transportation' Sales Tax Clears Post-Election Obstacles
The "All for Transportation" sales tax in Hillsborough County, Florida, survived a revolt and legal challenge from conservative county commissioners, despite earning 57 percent of the public vote.
Opinion: Here’s Hoping the New BART Inspector General Can Help Get the Agency Back on Track
BART is a financial and operational mess, and its new inspector general has a slew of major issues to tackle.
No More 'Manholes' in Berkeley
In removing all gendered language from its civil code, the city of Berkeley is tossing out some familiar nomenclature.
U.S. Economic Growth Shows Urban-Rural Divide
The economy is improving in places like Texas, but a closer look indicates that cities are taking off while rural areas are lagging behind.
Toronto Could Give Buses and Streetcars Priority
In a shift away from subway expansions and upgrades, Toronto looks to improve the bus and streetcar systems.
More EV Charging Coming to San Francisco Private and Public Parking Facilities
To reach an ambitious net-zero target for transportation emissions in San Francisco, Mayor Breed and two supervisors introduced legislation to require large parking facilities provide electric vehicle charging for 10% of spaces.
Uncertain Future of Portland’s Neighborhood Associations Causing Controversy
A proposal to dissolve the groups has led to a debate about their purpose and who really benefits from them.
French 'EcoTax' Targets Air Travel to Benefit Rail Network
The Minister for Transport called it "part of the answer to climate change" – charging air travelers a modest fee for international trips that originate in France and investing the revenue in greener alternatives such as rail transport.
Congress Calls Out the Trump Administration for Transit Funding Delays
The chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure used the word "unlawful," when describing the tardy delivery of allocated capital investment funding by the Federal Transit Administration under the Trump administration.
Moving People Out of Flood Zones Is a Win-Win Strategy
As the threat of flooding increases, buyout programs to relocate homeowners are a better alternative to rebuilding—for cities and residents.
The 'Vanlord' Providing Shelter to L.A.'s Homeless
A creative rental industry has emerged in Los Angeles as the affordable housing crisis grows.
Uber Says Denver Transit Riders Are Buying Tickets Through Its App
Denver travelers can now access transit schedules and purchase tickets through the Uber app. Uber says increased ticket sales show that integrating rideshare and transit makes sense.
Federal Lawmakers Target Electric Vehicles in Transportation Reauthorization
How will motorists who don't pay gas taxes fund road upkeep? That's one of the questions that the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee hopes to answer this summer as they work to reauthorize the FAST Act before it expires on Sept. 30, 2020.
Helping City Workers Live in the City
Local municipalities are offering housing incentives to draw employees and help them live closer to their jobs.
SUVs Kill Pedestrians—and They Have for a Long Time
While much focus is on the future of autonomous vehicles, the increase in pedestrian deaths related to SUVs remains a largely ignored issue.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie
