Government / Politics

Abandoned Buildings

Revitalization Should Not Overshadow the Continued Decline in Cities

When gentrification takes center stage, neglected places facing poverty, segregation, and disinvestment are overlooked.

February 28, 2019 - City Observatory

Green New Deal

Climate Action and the Green New Deal: Interview with Rep. Mike Levin

Long before winning the congressional seat in California's 49th District, Mike Levin advocated for clean energy and a green economy.

February 28, 2019 - The Planning Report

Brooklyn Bridge Bike Lane

Op-Ed: Congestion Pricing Offers New York a 'Promising Path Forwards'

New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica penned a Sunday op-ed for the Daily News on the benefits of congestion pricing. On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo broke the news on WNYC that he and Mayor de Blasio agreed on tolling the central business district.

February 28, 2019 - New York Daily News

Maumee River, Ohio

Lake Erie Granted Legal Rights by Voters

Toledo, Ohio held a special election for voters to decide on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights.

February 27, 2019 - Toledo Blade

Los Angeles Grand Park

A New Player in Planning Los Angeles: Marqueece Harris-Dawson

The new chair of the Planning and Land Use Management committee of the Los Angeles City Council will influence how the city grapples with homelessness, an expanding rail system, and the 2028 Olympics.

February 27, 2019 - The Planning Report

Toronto from the CN Tower

Growth Plan Debate Heats Up in Toronto

The question of how and where to grow is causing controversy in Toronto. A recent op-ed picks a side.

February 27, 2019 - Toronto Sun

NYC Subway Riders

Breaking News: 10-Point Plan to Restructure the MTA Announced

Local and state leadership finally agreed on a plan to fix the city of New York's struggling transit system.

February 26, 2019 - Bloomberg

OKC Streetcar

Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma Formed

Officials in six Oklahoma cities are hoping to add public transit connections throughout the region.

February 26, 2019 - Oklahoma's News 4

Seattle Bus

Expansion Planned for Low-Income Bus Pass Program in Seattle

The ORCA Opportunity program will provide free bus passes to some of the city’s low-income residents.

February 26, 2019 - Curbed Seattle

Minnesota Transportation

Major Bus Transit Investments Proposed for Minnesota

Bus transit advocates in the state of Minnesota are happy to see they have a friend in the Governor's Office.

February 26, 2019 - MinnPost

Boston Skyline with Dome

Boston Plans to Put $26 Million Toward Affordable Housing Projects

A new initiative will fund 10 new developments as the city works to increase available affordable housing.

February 26, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Low Gas Prices

Seven State DOTs Awarded $10 Million to Study Gas Tax Alternatives

When transportation spending was last reauthorized, rather than hike the gas tax to maintain current spending, Congress diverted general fund revenue. A program to study alternative revenue options was created so states could launch pilot projects.

February 25, 2019 - Transport Topics

Broadway Los Angeles

Auto-Centric City Dichotomy: More Mobility Options and More Risk

As cities strive to improve mobility for all users, the existing auto paradigm is slow to change

February 25, 2019 - The Conversation

Metropolitan Detention Center

White House Ends Talks with California Over Fuel Efficiency Standards

Ending the talks means litigation will have to settle the conflict over the two standards: California and 12 other states continue to use the Obama-era standard of 36 mpg by 2025, while the administration's rule freezes standards at 2020, or 29 mpg.

February 25, 2019 - The Washington Post

San Francisco Parklet

Role of S.F. Parklets as Public Space Not Always Clear

Parklets in San Francisco are available for public use, but often they serve as extensions of the dining rooms of eateries.

February 25, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Transit Oriented Development

Everywhere, Signs of Demise for the Planning Status Quo

The plans, they are a-changin.

February 25, 2019 - James Brasuell

Manhattan Upper West Side

Trump's Name Disappearing from Manhattan Buildings

President's Trump's name appears on six fewer buildings in Manhattan than on Election Day 2016.

February 25, 2019 - The Washington Post

Washington D.C. - The White House

Does Climate Change 'Really' Pose a Threat to National Security?

The White House is planning to establish a new climate panel, headed by a well-known climate denier, to question the findings of the president's own intelligence agencies that climate change does indeed pose a national security risk.

February 24, 2019 - The Washington Post

Cambridge Massachusetts

Cambridge Won’t Reach Goals to Curb Car Ownership

The city’s original plan to decrease car ownership isn’t quite panning out, even with more alternative transportation options for residents.

February 24, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Contest: Design a Logo for New York's Privately-Owned Public Spaces

New York City is holding a competition for a distinctive logo to clearly demarcate all of its 550 privately-owned public spaces.

February 22, 2019 - AM New York

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.