Government / Politics

Texas

HUD Says Dallas Owes Millions for Mismanaging Housing Funds

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is accusing Dallas of mismanagement of funds, and wants its money back.

June 21, 2019 - The Dallas Morning News

Road Maintenance

The Case Against Aldermanic Control of Infrastructure Spending

Chicago’s alderman have control of millions of dollars of street resurfacing "menu money" for local projects. Inspector General Joe Ferguson argues that money would be better spent in a coordinated effort.

June 21, 2019 - Chicago Sun-Times

Power Plant

It's Official: Obama's Clean Power Plan Has Been Replaced by the Trump Administration

It took less than a year for the EPA to finalize the Affordable Clean Energy rule, which will allow older coal-burning plants to continue operating, in the Trump administration's most consequential environmental rollback accomplished to date.

June 21, 2019 - The New York Times

Lombard Street San Francisco

California to Study a Ban on Sales of Cars with Internal Combustion Engines

California Assemblyman Phil Ting has tried unsuccessfully for the last two years to end the sale of new gas and diesel-powered passenger motor vehicles by 2040. He achieved some success by securing funds in an approved budget bill to study a ban.

June 19, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Santa Ana California

Orange County Streetcar Project Ignoring Equity Issues, Say Activists

Critics say transportation officials have failed to address the potential equity and displacement effects of the Southern California streetcar project.

June 19, 2019 - Next City

Philadelphia Street

Proposed Law Would Require Community Benefits Negotiations for 'High Impact' Projects in Philadelphia

A recently proposed law would attempt to force developers and neighborhood projects to the table to negotiate large projects in the city of Philadelphia.

June 19, 2019 - PlanPhilly

Exurban Commute

California Looks North for a Climate Partner

California has been lonely for the last seven years as the only state that prices carbon emissions from most sources. Oregon is expected to decide this month whether to join them.

June 18, 2019 - CALmatters

Los Angeles sprawl

Understanding Cities Through Their Life Cycles

Cities go through ups and downs over time, and where a city is in its longer history can reveal the reasons behind population changes.

June 18, 2019 - Governing

North Shore Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Up-and-Coming Stadium and Entertainment District

Housing prices are on the rise in the North Shore neighborhood as the area near downtown grows.

June 18, 2019 - Pittsburg Post-Gazette

Vacant Home, Cleveland

In Mobile, an Institutional Revamp to Tackle Blight

Mobile, Alabama, has changed the way it deals with blight, and the results have been substantial.

June 17, 2019 - Fast Company

Presidential Campaign

2020 Presidential Campaign: Media Coverage of Climate Strategies

Mayor Pete Buttigieg was criticized for supporting carbon capture and carbon taxes, while Vice President Biden was accused of lifting phrases about carbon capture from a "pro-industry" group. But did the media get these stories right?

June 17, 2019 - Common Dreams

Scooter Share

Op-Ed: In New York, Make Legalization of Micromobility a Priority

The state needs to pass legislation to legalize electric bikes and scooters to give residents more mobility options and discourage driving.

June 17, 2019 - Crain's New York Business

Montreal, Quebec

20-20-20: Montreal Sets New Goals for Inclusionary Zoning

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante is championing a new approach to inclusionary zoning, recently released in draft form to the public.

June 15, 2019 - Montreal Gazette

Wheelchair Curb Cut

Feds Close Cedar Rapids ADA Case

For four years, the city has worked to make public projects compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Rather than granting an extension, the Department of Justice says it is closing the case.

June 14, 2019 - The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)

corn field in polk county iowa

Summertime Ethanol Restriction Lifted to Help Corn Farmers—But at What Cost?

President Trump made good on his promise last October to lift the E15 ban in time for the summer driving season. Not mentioned by the Des Moines Register are the downsides to allowing the higher ethanol blend to be sold during the summer, e.g., smog.

June 14, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Public Meeting

Friday Funny: Scathing Satire of Anti-Development Rants at Public Hearings

A new satirical essay for McSweeney's provides a template for NIMBY opposition to planning and development, and does not pull any punches in the process.

June 14, 2019 - McSweeney's

San Francisco Construction

The Housing 'Migration Chain' That Results From Upzoning

A new working paper adds another perspective to the debate about easing zoning regulations to address the affordable housing crisis.

June 14, 2019 - CityLab

Southside Chicago

Many Contender Sites for Chicago Casino

The decision about where to locate a new casino project depends on competing goals—to maximize revenues or bring jobs and development to neighborhoods that need them.

June 13, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

San Francisco Homeless

San Francisco to Use Conservatorship for Some Mentally Ill Homeless People

Thanks to legislation by Sen. Scott Wiener passed last year, San Francisco will apply a new tool to force treatment on some homeless, mentally ill people who refuse it, but it's limited to five people annually. A new Wiener bill would expand it.

June 13, 2019 - The Washington Post

London

Around the Globe, Urban Diversity Is Alive and Well

It might feel like the world is shrinking as globalization expands, but many cities still have their individual characters and qualities.

June 12, 2019 - Bloomberg

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.