Government / Politics
The Country's First Municipal Cryptocurrency Could Fund Affordable Housing
The city of Berkeley is exploring the sale of digital tokens—backed by municipal bonds—as a fundraising mechanism for affordable housing and other local priorities.
Critics Blast Trump's Infrastructure Plan
Opposition mobilized quickly after the Trump Administration released its long-awaited infrastructure plan. There's even a hashtag.
Missouri Governor: Don't Show Me a Gas Tax Hike!
It is an understatement that Increasing fuel taxes is challenging. If there is an opportune time to do it, it's when gas prices are relatively low, when the state decides to cut other taxes, and when there's bipartisan support.
Pop Culture Hasn't Been Kind to Planning Lately
A post for the Market Urbanism website says planning is entering Season Three with no guarantees it will catch on with audiences.
Infrastructure, Unlike the Trump Administration, Can't Ignore Climate Change
How can President Trump, who has made environmental regulation rollbacks and climate denial trademarks of his administration, be expected to select projects for his infrastructure plan that must weather climate change?
An Artist Campaigns Against Anti-Homeless 'Hostile Design'
Bournemouth native Stuart Semple is intent on "naming and shaming the bodies who fund and install these things."
Trump's Infrastructure Plan Is Finally Public
The federal government is basically asking for matching funds from states and localities to fund infrastructure projects.
Nashville Transit Tax Headed for May Ballot
An historic transit referendum will be on the ballot for Nashville residents in May after some final political maneuvering over the matter of the plan's cost.
Unexpected 'Airbnb Ban' in Detroit's Residential Neighborhoods Causes a Stir
Somehow the city of Detroit managed to start enforcing an Airbnb ban in single-family neighborhoods without anyone realize the council had approved the regulation.
Editorial Opposes Use of Eminent Domain to Give Property to For-Profit Developer
The borough of Emerson, New Jersey is testing the limits of eminent domain.
One Native American Family, Two Housing Crises
In Oakland, California and Torreon, New Mexico, Julian Brave NoiseCat reports that "[f]or Indigenous people, the crisis of the home is intergenerational."
When the U.S. Economy Is 'Too Strong' to Spend on Infrastructure
A low unemployment rate means major investments by the federal government could ultimately harm the economy.
Most California Cities Now Subject to State-Mandated Development Streamlining
Given that 97 percent of California cities aren't meeting their housing targets, SB 35, last year's landmark "by-right" housing bill, now applies to projects that contain varying amounts of affordable units.
Explained: The Risks Facing the 2020 Census
Why some experts are very concerned that Census 2020 will fail the democracy that depends on it.
State Legislation Would Clear CEQA Obstructions for Road and Transit Projects
One legislator believes CEQA "is a key barrier to California meeting its ambitious climate change goals.”
A Progressive Gas Tax?
One of the criticisms of gas taxes is that it is regressive, i.e., everyone pays the same per-gallon price. A Mississippi legislator has a solution: Eliminate the income tax on the lowest income bracket in exchange for hiking the gas tax 12-cents.
Berkeley Mayor Condemns Legislation to Increase Housing Density by Transit
Mayor Jesse Arreguín's charges about permissible heights, demolition of rent-controlled housing and displacement that would result from Senate Bill 827 by Sen. Wiener are refuted in the Berkeleyside article, though the latter two have resonance.
Los Angeles Leads Nine Cities Earning 'What Works Cities' Certification
Bloomberg Philanthropies recognized nine cities leading the trend toward better use of data in city governance practices.
Report: New York Planning Needs Better Community Engagement
A new report from the Regional Plan Association, expected for release early next week, will provide suggestions for how the city of New York can empower community boards.
Homeland Security Waives More Than 30 Laws to Expedite Border Wall
In the drive to begin construction in New Mexico, the Trump Administration has bypassed dozens of federal environmental regulations.
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
