Government / Politics
Transit-Area Tax Increment Financing Bill on Gov. Jerry Brown's Desk
Transit, affordable housing, TODs, active transportation and local governments should all come out ahead should Brown sign SB 961. The bill follows in the path of earlier legislation that created enhanced infrastructure finance districts.
Landlords Owe NYC $1.5 Billion for Building Code Violations
Violations of the building code go unenforced in New York City.
Colorado Voters to Decide How to Fund Roads on Election Day
Two transportation bonding initiatives will appear on the ballot on Nov. 6: A $3.5 billion measure would have debt repayments come from the general fund, while a $6 billion initiative would create a revenue stream by hiking sales taxes.
Ensuring the Benefits of Multiple Mobility as a Service Options
Vertically integrated mobility as a service options can offer great benefit to users, but unless cities create the right framework, it could stifle innovation and competition, as well as making the playing field too difficult for small companies.
Oil and Gas Drilling Issues Loom Large in Colorado on Election Day
Unlike prior initiatives that sought drilling bans, Prop. 112 would greatly increase setbacks from buildings to such an extent that it could doom much of the industry. A competing initiative would make the change a "taking" and require compensation.
Evaluating Departing Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Planning Record
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a surprise announcement this week that he would not seek a third term in office.
San Francisco Wants Its Ambitious Zero-Waste Initiative to Go Global
In an effort to address climate change, San Francisco has a plan to get residents and businesses to do more than just recycle and compost.
Seattle's Residents Pick Funding for Streets, Park Projects
The "Your Voice Your Choice" program of participatory funding is in its second year in Seattle.
How Cities in the 'Heat Belt' Are Addressing Extreme Heat, the New Normal
As the number of excessive heat days steadily increases, cities face a range of new challenges. But they are also trying to get ahead of the problem while they still can.
Ontario Could Take Control of Toronto's TTC Subway
The Ford administration is moving forward with a scheme to "upload" control of Toronto's TTC subway to provincial control.
Opinion: Bike Lane Funding in Dallas on the Line
As the Dallas City Council prepares to vote this month on a general fund budget, the future of bike lanes is not looking good.
More Rights, Fewer Responsibilities, for Electric Scooter Riders in California
A bill that would toss the helmet requirement for adult e- scooter riders and allow them to ride on roads where the speed limit is 35 mph, up from the current limit of 25 mph, is on Governor Jerry Brown's desk. He has until Sept. 30 to decide.
Another Reason Motorists Should Support Road Tolling
Two things motorists detest: tolls and congestion. Tolls, if effectively applied, lessen congestion, but at a high cost to drivers. However, steep tolls also provide a political incentive to "fix the bottlenecks," as shown by the 66 Express Lanes.
Editorial: Why Elon Musk’s Tunnel to Dodger Stadium Is a Very Bad Idea
A closer look at a plan for Los Angeles linking Dodger Stadium to the subway points to the proposal’s many flaws.
Study Details the Traffic Safety Benefits of Public Transit
A new study concludes that not only is transit a safer way to travel, but communities oriented around transit are also safer. As a result, planning approaches that encourage transit also increase traffic safety.
How L.A. Plans to Address Intersecting Issues of Homelessness and Open Space
In California, agencies are working to redefine enforcement and safety procedures as the number of homeless individuals who seek refuge in vulnerable open or wild landscapes continue to increase.
Toll and Tax, or Just Tax, to Pay for Highway Expansion?
A political decision by the Texas Transportation Commission last December to drop projects which included toll lanes was thought to doom 15 road expansions from their 10-year capital plan, but some will go forward with HOV as opposed to HOT lanes.
Study: The Demographics of the Public Comment NIMBY
A new study reveals the biases of the public planning process.
California May Join Hawaii With 100 Percent Renewable Energy by 2045
Senate Bill 100 by Sen. Kevin de León has one more hurdle to clear before it becomes law. While the state's greatest climate challenge isn't electricity generation, it will be helpful as more motorists turn toward electric vehicles.
California’s Inheritance Tax Break Is Helping Some Much More Than Others
An inheritance tax benefit, along with Proposition 13, has resulted in lower tax rates passing down through generations and billions of dollars in lost tax revenue.
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
