Government / Politics

Legislation Introduced to Enable the Bay Area to Tackle Housing Crisis as a Region
A new bill would grant the Housing Alliance for the Bay Area taxing authority to raise revenue in the nine-county region to find solutions to the housing crisis. Another bill would reduce the voter threshold below two-thirds for eligible taxes.

Auto Industry Reluctant to Support Trump Plan to Freeze Fuel Economy Standards
The auto industry appears to be balking at supporting the Trump administration's plan to freeze vehicle emission standards at 2020 levels even though they initially asked Trump to loosen the rigorous Obama-era fuel efficiency rule that goes to 2026.

Neighborhoods 2020: Details on Minneapolis' Next Big Planning Effort
Minneapolis wants to diversify its neighborhood organizations, racially and economically. The Neighborhoods 2020 plan would require those organizations to meet diversity standards.

Trial Run of Driverless Buses Set to Start in Singapore
Singapore has ambitious plans for an autonomous public transportation system. New full-sized buses and an upcoming trial run will put the country closer to its goals.
Did Uber Just Get Away With Manslaughter?
Remember Elaine Herzberg, the 49-year-old woman who became the first pedestrian fatality due to an autonomous vehicle when she was hit last March by an Uber with a safety driver in Tempe, Ariz.? Prosecutors found no criminal liability.

Spatial Mismatch's Far-Reaching Effects
When workers can't afford to live near jobs, the results are more than just housing cost burdens.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers Proposes Gas Tax Hike
The eight-cents-per-gallon gas tax increase is one of several measures in the Democrat governor's first budget that marks a major departure from the the tenure of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Car-Free Streets, City Control of Transit: New York City Council Speaker's New Platform
New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson had a busy week, releasing an ambitious plan to "break" the "car culture" of New York.

The Climate Change Lawsuit That Won't Go Away
The now-famous children's lawsuit, featured on 60 Minutes last Sunday, was not filed against President Trump—he just inherited it from his predecessor. Both administrations have tried to have the case dismissed.

A Reading List on Exclusion and Racism in the Legal History in the United States
The legal history of the United States is full of laws designed to exclude and segregate the racialized other. This reading list recommends scholarship that sheds light on that history.

Duke Faculty Support N.C. Rail Project; University Opposes It
Duke University will not sign an agreement for a regional rail project that has widespread support from the campus community.

Mayoral Op-Ed Touts New Equitable Development Model in Minneapolis
A plan for 48 acres of riverfront land could make Minneapolis a leader in doing redevelopment right, argue city leaders.

MBTA Will Move to Proof-of-Payment System
A new plan will phase out cash fare payments on buses and trolleys, but many of the details are still up in the air.

The Future of U.S. High-Speed Rail Is in Texas
Carlos Aguilar, Texas Central president and CEO, comments on the changes to the San Francisco-to-Anaheim project announced last month by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and why his project linking Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth will progress.

Arlington Transit Service Cuts on the Table
The county is considering service reductions on two routes with low ridership, but the cuts would significantly affect some neighborhoods.

Yes, Trump Can Recoup the $3.5 Billion Awarded to California High-Speed Rail
The beleaguered project is still very much alive, despite some media claims to the contrary. As for the Trump administration's claim to two grants awarded to the now-$77 billion project, the state has a deadline to meet if it wants to keep them.

Op-Ed: Congress Passes Public Lands Bill, Ducks Harder Questions
The Natural Resources Management Act enjoyed bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. But it left out contentious issues like wildfires, greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting wildlife corridors.

California Bill Would Increase Wastewater Recycling
In California, a billion gallons of water ends up in the ocean every day. A new bill seeks to curb this practice by requiring treatment facilities to increase recycling and reuse efforts.

N.Y.C. Takes Steps to Stop Parking Placard Abuse
Transit and cycling advocates say fake and misused placards result in crowded streets and limit mobility.

Will Boston Follow New York City and Consider Cordon Tolling?
Tom Acitelli has been following the intersection of congestion pricing and transportation in Boston, particularly as at affects transit. Noting the landmark agreement on cordon pricing reached in New York on Tuesday, he asks if Boston is ready.
Pagination
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