Government / Politics
A Third Court Win for Children's Climate Change Lawsuit
Strike three for the federal government in trying to dismiss a lawsuit launched by 21 children in Oregon who sued the Obama administration in 2015, claiming the government was endangering their future because of its failure to reduce climate change.
The Greening of California's Republicans?
One finding from a new statewide survey, "Californians and the Environment," suggests that the environment is becoming a more bipartisan issue, but that finding is still subject to interpretation. What isn't is the top environmental issue: water.
Wanted in Atlanta: A Department of Transportation
While the Atlanta Department of City Planning includes a Office of Mobility Planning that spearheads efforts to provide new opportunities for non-automobile modes of transportation, the city lacks a consolidated transportation department.
Federal Gas Tax Legislation Would Also Tax Bikes, EVs, and Transit
Rep. Bill Shuster, who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, wants to hike gas and diesel taxes by 15 and 20 cents per gallon, respectively, add two new user fees on bicycles and electric vehicles, and test VMT fees.
Evidence of Race's Role in Land Use Decisions
Analysis of a city's zoning and land use decisions over seven decades reveals the role race plays in decision making.
Tolling of Portland Interstates Could Be Decided by Voters in 2020
Should plans to toll Interstates 5 and 205 in Portland get the go-ahead from the Oregon Transportation Commission and the Federal Highway Administration, they would still be subject to a state referendum.
Another Major Climate Win for Big Oil in Federal Court
A New York federal district court rules on a climate change lawsuit like its West Coast counterpart did last month: Don't hold oil companies accountable for climate change and sea level rise. Baltimore and Rhode Island file climate change lawsuits.
San Francisco Suburb to Vote on Massive Project to Double Population
Brisbane, a city of about 4,700 on the southern border of San Francisco, will vote on a controversial ballot measure in November to approve or reject a mixed-use development including up to 2,200 residential units on a 660-acre vacant brownfield.
Regional Transit in Detroit: An Idea Whose Time Has Not Yet Come
Transit supporters in the Detroit region suffered a setback last week, but the hope is that they've only lost a battle, not the war, for regional transit.
Los Angeles (and Climate Change) Seriously Threaten Air Quality at Mono Lake
With water levels habitually low, officials from the Eastern Sierra say they are "headed for a showdown” with L.A.
California Achieved its Climate Goal; Now the Hard Part Begins
New York Times climate reporter, Brad Plumer, comments on California's landmark accomplishment in reducing emissions, observing that with the low-hanging electricity generation fruit picked, reducing transportation emissions will prove formidable.
New York City Clamps Down on Short-Term Rentals
New York City just approved new regulations on short-term rentals that could greatly reduce the number of listings in Airbnb's largest domestic market.
Voters to Decide on Repair of Vital Aqueduct for San Joaquin Valley
California voters in November will have the opportunity to help repair the Friant-Kern Canal, damaged by subsidence, as well as invest in watershed conservation programs, by passing a citizen-initiated $8.9 billion general obligation bond measure.
Growing in the Gaps
In post-bankruptcy Detroit, planner Maurice Cox and his interdisciplinary team are making vacancy an asset, revitalizing through preservation, and listening to residents who know the city the best.
San Francisco Voters to Decide on Employer Tax to House the Homeless
It started in Seattle with the Amazon Tax to pay for transportation and housing needs exacerbated by the city's largest employers. Last month, a Google Tax was placed on the November ballot in Silicon Valley. A landlord tax in Oakland could be next.
How Land Use Policy Helped Turn California Blue
As recently as a half-generation ago, California passed anti-immigrant laws, routinely elected Republican politicians, and wallowed in land use laws—like Prop. 13—enacted by conservatives. Manuel Pastor explains California's change of heart.
Renewable Goals: Set the Bar Low or Shoot for Stars?
A columnist says Pittsburgh's goal to run its government entirely on renewable energy by 2030 is like Trump's Wall: Not gonna happen.
New York City Reports Progress on Sustainable Development Goals to the U.N.
New York is the first city in the world to report to the U.N. on SDGs in the arenas of clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, and land conservation.
5 Industries That Made the Most of Pruitt While He Lasted
Umair Irfan provides a post-mortem, of sorts, on the tenure of Scott Pruitt at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Maximum Toll on Utah's Interstate 15 Express Lanes Just Doubled
But is it high enough? Everything is relative, and with the prior toll being only a buck per zone, the hope is that $2, which took effect Saturday, will cause some motorists to carpool to keep speeds at 55 mph during peak hours.
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.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
