Government / Politics
Op-Ed: By-Right Zoning Allows Tall Buildings But Not Citizen Feedback
A local block association leader expresses frustration with the development approvals process in New York City.
Massachusetts Could Be Next to Tax Short-Term Rentals
Legislation on the verge of approval in Massachusetts would enact a linkage fee, in effect, that would generate revenue for funding affordable housing.
What Comes Next if California Repeals Its Gas Tax Increase?
Repeal proponents have already planned a sequel for Proposition 6, regardless of whether the measure passes, resulting in the loss of over $5 billion annually from new transportation user fees, including a 12-cents per gallon gas tax increase.
What Do You Do With Controversial Monuments and Statues?
Cities around the country are scrambling with ways to accommodate monuments to a past that many consider as oppressive.
Why Are Mayors Fighting Trump's Fuel Economy Rollback?
State attorneys general and green groups are gearing up to fight the emissions rule rollback. Mayors would have a greater climate impact by helping their constituents drive less, argues Alissa Walker.
Anchorage Officials Take on Code Scofflaws After Decade of Inaction
Anchorage officials have started to take a more assertive effort toward the clean up of nuisance buildings and properties that have become magnets for crime and other problems. This is the first clean-up of this scope since 2007.
A Plan to Transform the Hoover Dam into Energy Storage
A proposal by the nation's largest utility could be a model to deal with the most formidable problem presented by intermittent renewable electricity sources.
NYC Planning Director Marissa Lago Touts Regional Planning
Marisa Lago pens in an opinion piece supporting a regional approach to planning, timed for the release of a new "Geography of Jobs" report.
Acknowledging the Emotional Abuse Facing Planners
A professor of planning calls out the emotional abuse facing planners—from professional colleagues in related fields, from elected officials, and from the public.
Gwinnett County to Vote on Joining MARTA
Transit activists celebrated the good news that residents will finally be given the opportunity to join the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority but bemoaned that they would have to wait till March 2020 to vote on the one percent sales tax.
How Texas Could Create Equity for the Disabled
Twenty-eight years after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Texas has plenty of work to do if it's going to provide opportunity to Americans struggling with disabilities.
Trump Administration Proposes to Freeze Fuel Economy Standards at 2020 Level
On Thursday, the U.S. DOT and U.S. EPA announced one of the Trump administration's most consequential rollbacks of environmental and efficiency regulations that will have a detrimental effect on climate change, air pollution, and oil consumption.
Chicago Bankruptcies Driven by Sticker Violations
Heavy fines on cars without city stickers have fueled a spike in bankruptcies in Chicago, especially in black neighborhoods like Lawndale and Englewood where households received many times more tickets than households in white neighborhoods.
Washington's Progressive Governor Becomes Protectionist When it Comes to Portland Tolling
Do residents in Vancouver, Washington need protection from congestion pricing applied to all lanes on two Portland interstates? Gov. Jay Inslee seems to think so, adding that the value pricing pilot project is "going nowhere."
Trump Golf Course Destroyed Protected Scottish Ecosystem
The president promised to protect the unique natural area when he received permission to develop a resort there.
California's $100 Billion High-Speed Gamble
The state has less than one-third the funds necessary to build the 800-mile line connecting Northern and Southern California, depending on the cost estimate. The immediate goal is to build a 119-mile section in the Central Valley.
Jennifer Keesmat, Former Chief Planner of Toronto, Running for Mayor
If Keesmaat wins the election, it would complete one of the highest-profile transitions from planner to politician in recent memory.
Seattle Commits to Dockless Bike Share
After the failure of its municipal bike share system Pronto!, Seattle was one of the first to regulate the operation of dockless bke share companies in the city. Now it's one-year pilot program is permanent.
Trump Administration Clashes on Vehicle Emissions Standards Rollback
It's the U.S. EPA, under the new acting administrator, against two top officers in the Department of Transportation. Both agencies (along with California) determine fuel efficiency standards. Guess which wants to proceed cautiously in the rollback?
Study Critiques the Fiscal and Racial Consequences of Capping Property Taxes
A new report by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities finds major flaws with property taxes in several states, and proposes a solution that could mitigate the least desirable consequences of limits to property tax increases.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
