Government / Politics
Tax Deal Clears the Way for Seattle's Grand Waterfront Park Plans
A proposed waterfront plan has secured the necessary funding to move forward in Seattle, pending City Council approval.
New York Times: Transit on West Coast Surging Ahead of East Coast
East Coast transit systems used to be the envy of other cities, but now the West Coast is taking big steps to expand their networks.
Massachusetts Finally Enacts Tax of Short-Term Rentals
The Massachusetts Legislature approved a tax on short-term rentals in July 2018 only to have Governor Charlie Baker amend the bill. The amendments proved only a temporary setback.
Democratic Presidential Contenders May Elevate Housing Policy
Housing measures fared well in the 2018 election, and it's likely that Democratic contenders for the presidency in 2020 have taken notice and will boost those issues in their campaigns.
Assessing Feasibility Studies for Inclusionary Zoning
Cities use the studies to inform decisions about inclusionary housing programs. But a closer look shows that there is great variation in the methods and metrics, with no one correct approach for every situation.
Wisconsin Law Could Delay Major Highway Projects
A plan to save money on highway megaprojects is likely to backfire, experts warn.
New York City Polystyrene Ban Took Effect New Year's Day
Thanks to two recent New York State court rulings, disposable food and beverage containers will no longer be made from polystyrene in the nation's largest city. The ban was originally proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in February 2013.
Affordable Housing Cap-and-Trade Idea Resurfaces
In New Jersey, a cap-and-trade system existed for two decades and appeared to just perpetuate housing and social inequities. But now legislators and researchers are considering it again.
Washington State Budget Makes Puget Sound Orcas a Priority
Southern Resident orca numbers are distressingly low. The proposed budget would fund a number of measures to help the whales.
Ontario May Strip Protections from Toronto Greenbelt
A proposed bill would open nearly 2 million acres of protected land to commercial and industrial development.
EPA Targets Co-Benefits in Rulemaking—Public Health to Suffer
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed a critical change in the cost-benefit analysis used in the mercury rule that applies to coal-fired power plants. By eliminating the principle of co-benefits, public health impacts would be severe.
Apple Is Going Suburban Rather Than Urban in Austin
Apple has plans to build a new campus and expand its Texas workforce. The decision to expand to an Austin suburb points to both regional and national trends and outcomes.
Learning the Wrong Lessons From France's Yellow Vest Movement
The widespread Yellow Vests protests, which initially involved hundreds of thousands of protestors in November, are wrongly being interpreted as a movement against carbon taxes and climate action, rather than a revolt against social inequities.
Democrats Take Steps to Address Climate Change in 116th Congress
Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi has selected Rep. Nancy Castor (D-Fla.) to chair the new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Two bills that could advance in the House: the Green New Deal and a carbon tax-and-dividend bill, H.R. 7173.
On Different Ways to See a Place
Looking forward to 2019, Chuck Wolfe reflects on how time living in London—and exposure to many other places during 2018— has highlighted how the physical shell of the old often frames today's sociocultural realities around the world.
A Look Back on What Ryan Zinke Is Leaving Behind
Zinke’s tenure at the Interior Department was not lengthy, but the damage he inflicted will be long-lasting.
Wildfires Threaten Over a Million California Structures in High-Risk Areas
With limited action at the state level, communities in vulnerable areas have launched their own local preparedness programs and plans.
Link Kiosks Up and Running in Philadelphia
The kiosks in downtown Philadelphia are part of an effort to deploy smart-cities technology.
Electric Vehicle Incentives: A Tale of Two Countries
While Trump wants to end the EV credit program, in part to punish GM for closing unprofitable car manufacturing plants, Norway is scaling back the generous perks that have enabled EV sales to comprise almost half on new auto sales.
African Country Moving its Capital City
The nation of Burundi is moving Gitega.
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
