Government / Politics
The Underappreciated Role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in Access to Affordable Housing
A housing researcher formerly with the Obama administration's Treasury Department explains the role of government-sponsored enterprises in opening the housing market with more affordable options.
How the Law Enshrines Car Dependence
Land use regulations provide exhibit A in this indictment of the American legal system's support for a murderous and destructive dependence on automobiles for transportation.
The Private Landowners of the West's Vast Open Spaces
Wealthy buyers are snapping up large parcels of land and imposing new rules. Residents say restricting access is not fair and the actions are affecting communities and their way of life.
Boston Bus Lanes Improving Commute Times and Reliability
Data from the Boston area shows that dedicated bus lanes are helping to get buses moving.
How Much Influence Can the Federal Government Have on the Housing Crisis?
A couple of questions are fundamental to the debate about the housing affordability crisis.
Local Government Expect a Pinch After Texas Caps Property Taxes
Texas overhauled its property tax system with two bills in June. The debate about the consequences of that bill continues.
Cities Lost Political Power in that 'Other' Supreme Court Ruling Last Month
On June 27, the Supreme Court didn't just rule on the Census Bureau's citizenship question. It also decided that it wasn't their business to consider how congressional districts are drawn, which will likely reduce the influence of cities.
ICYMI: 12 States Hiked Gas Taxes on Monday
On July 1, Illinois and Ohio increased gas taxes by double digits: 19 cents per gallon and 10.5 CPG, respectively, followed by California at 5.6 CPG, all due to legislation passed this year or in 2017. Diesel tax hikes were even higher.
Trump's Remarks on Homeless Make Cities an Ideological Battlefield
President Donald Trump has low opinions on the state of a few very specific cities.
Scarce National Park Fee Money Will Fund Today's 'Salute to America'
The Trump administration's lack of concern for the National Park Service's growing maintenance backlog will be on display today, along with everything else.
Updated: Census Citizenship Question Officially Cancelled
The U.S. Department of Commerce was not successful in achieving a highly consequential change to the 2020 Census form, after the Supreme Court ruled it needed a better reason to make the change.
All the Places Mentioned in Last Week's Democratic Debates
Candidates drop names for a reason.
A New—and Hopefully Better—Way to Deal with the Homeless Crisis on the N.Y.C. Subway
More homeless people are using the subway as temporary housing, and the delays and disruptions have increased as well. A new city program will replace fines with outreach to provide better access to social services.
What Went Wrong With Oregon's Climate Bill?
The Oregon Climate Action Program, which would have priced carbon emissions by establishing a cap-and-trade program similar to the one in California, was defeated on Saturday, the penultimate day of the 2019 legislative session.
Dublin's Grand Biking Vision That Never Came to Fruition
Dublin’s future as a leading cycling city was once bright, but many plans have stalled or fallen by the wayside.
More Bus Lane Cameras Coming to N.Y.C.
New state legislation will allow the city to expand the network of cameras and step up enforcement.
Disaster Shelters Housing the Homeless in Washington
Structures initially intended to temporarily house disaster victims are serving a new purpose in Tacoma, Washington—sheltering homeless people and getting them on the path to more permanent housing.
Courts May Fine Cities That Fail to Build Housing in California
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed his first budget, the state's largest ever at $215 billion. Housing activists will be pleased to learn that it has, to use Newsom's terms, both "carrots and sticks" to compel cities to produce more housing.
New York City Agencies Gain Design-Build Authority
Agencies in the city of New York needed to state clearance to win design-build authority. Mayor Bill de Blasio hopes the change will allow more efficient development of capital projects.
Deaths of Seven Motorcyclists Results in Resignation of Motor Vehicle Registry Chief
A pickup truck driver towing a trailer on a two-lane rural road in New Hampshire on June 21 is charged with seven counts of vehicular homicide after colliding with a group of motorcycle riders. Attention has turned to his commercial driver's license.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
