Government / Politics

Polar Vortex

When Red States Turn Blue

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has followed the path laid by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in joining the U.S. Climate Alliance. All three are new Democratic governors replacing Republican predecessors.

February 7, 2019 - InsideClimate News

Luxembourg Bus

What’s Behind the Free Transit Coming to Luxembourg

All of the country’s buses, trains, and trams will be free starting next year in a move to help residents struggling with the cost of living.

February 6, 2019 - BBC

New York City

State of the Union: Infrastructure Week Is Finally Over

Infrastructure went from playing a major role in the State of the Union address a year ago. This year infrastructure warranted barely even a nod—about 62 words, in fact.

February 6, 2019 - James Brasuell

Seattle Bus

Seattle Transit Investments Show Promising Results

The Seattle Transportation Benefit District has led to a growth in ridership and improved access to frequent service, according to a third-year performance report.

February 5, 2019 - The Urbanist

President George W. Bush

Tracking Mentions of Infrastructure in the State of the Union

In preparation for tonight's State of the Union address, consider the role of "transportation" and "infrastructure" in previous State of the Union addresses dating back to 1999.

February 5, 2019 - Eno Center for Transportation

Denver Union Station

Denver Transit Now Part of Uber App

Linking Uber and transit is an attempt to bridge the first-and-last-mile issue for Denver users.

February 4, 2019 - Curbed

Minneapolis Aerial

Funding Focus in Push to Diversify Minneapolis Neighborhood Groups

The leadership of neighborhood associations does not reflect the city’s demographics. In the future, funding of the groups could be dependent on reaching diversity benchmarks.

February 4, 2019 - Star Tribune

San Diego Harbor

Major Parking Reform Effort Moving Forward in San Diego

Civic San Diego and San Diego planning commissioners approved new parking standards that would eliminate minimums and set maximums of one space per multifamily unit. Those reforms and more must still be approved by the City Council.

February 4, 2019 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Los Angeles Harbor Freeway

If Road Pricing Is Inherently Unfair and Regressive...

Road pricing has its faults as a revenue measure, but it needs to be compared to ten elements of the current system of paying for transportation, including hidden subsidies, says Joe Cortright, an urban economist with Portland-based City Observatory.

February 4, 2019 - City Observatory

2020 Census Logo

More Concern for the 2020 Census: Misinformation on Social Media

The Census Bureau expects misinformation campaigns like those leading to the 2016 President Election to sway the results of the 2020 Census.

February 4, 2019 - Nextgov

Atlanta NFL Stadium

Inside the $2 Billion Stadium Hosting the Super Bowl

The hot dogs cost $1,999,999,998 less than the stadium, and either $199,999,998 or $699,999,998 less than taxpayers invested in the stadium.

February 3, 2019 - CBS News

Goods Movement

Active Transportation Program Suffers as Truck Toll Revenue Falls Short

Delays in constructing an extensive truck-only toll system have caused a shortfall in toll revenue affecting the Rhode Island DOT budget. A promise to repair bridges repair means a big cut for bike and pedestrian funding.

February 2, 2019 - Providence Journal

D.C. Metro Bus

Analysis Highlights Causes of Bus Ridership Declines in D.C. Region

Regional governance and more bus lanes are needed to improve ridership, according to a new study.

February 2, 2019 - The Washington Post

Boise Idaho

Boise Faces Growing Pains From West Coast Migration

As more people head to Idaho to escape cities they cannot afford, Boise is encouraging growth and also grappling with the consequences.

February 1, 2019 - Curbed

Downtown Redwood City

Housing Politics: Think Regionally, Lose Locally

Two Bay Area city council members serving on a regional commission suffered the political consequences of supporting a controversial regional housing initiative, not from their constituents, but from their colleagues.

February 1, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Federal Building

Census Citizenship Question Still Not Decided

Cities fear federal funding cuts if the citizen question stays on the Census and results in an undercount of Latino populations.

February 1, 2019 - CityLab

Fuel Break Wildfire

California Communities Embrace Fuel Breaks as Effective Wildfire Strategy

Fuel breaks involve clearing vegetation that feeds fires in order to prevent the catastrophic and fast-spreading wildfires that have plagued the state.

February 1, 2019 - The Mercury News

Expo Line

Equity Considerations Delay Congestion Pricing in Los Angeles

After discussing a staff report on road pricing at their Jan. 24 meeting, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority directors paused to weigh the equity implications of charging motorists to drive on roads.

January 31, 2019 - Curbed Los Angeles

California Beach Town

Huntington Beach Sues California Over 2017 By-Right Affordable Housing Bill

When it comes to housing lawsuits involving the state and new housing laws, Huntington Beach might be ground zero. Over a week before Attorney General Becerra sued the Orange County city at the behest of Gov. Newsom, the city sued the state.

January 31, 2019 - SF Gate

Sprawl

New California Governor Follows Up Tough Housing Rhetoric with Action

Gov. Gavin Newsom, only weeks into his new office, had warned cities that his office would hold them accountable for failing to meet their housing requirements. On Friday, he directed Attorney General Xavier Bacerra to sue Hungtinton Beach.

January 30, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

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.