Government / Politics
Will GOP Reconsider Redirecting Amtrak Funding After Train Crash?
Republican lawmakers got a first-hand lesson in train safety Wednesday when their chartered Amtrak train hit a trash truck at a grade crossing in Virginia, killing one in the truck. Trump's infrastructure plan redirects Amtrak and transit funding.
State of the Union: The Major Policy President Trump Missed
No, this post is not about the Russia investigation nor #MeToo, but the state of climate policy in the U.S. after President Trump's first year. Surprisingly, it's not as bad as one might think, no thanks to Trump though.

What the State of the Union Revealed About Urban Planning Under the Trump Administration
President Trump's first State of the Union address followed the rhetoric of his campaign and first year in office, offering few details about promised infrastructure investments and avoiding substantive discussion about the future of cities.

Pollution Does Discriminate in Orlando’s Parramore Neighborhood
Poor air quality has decimated the health of residents in this predominantly black community ringed by highways.

Value Capture Takes Prominent but Controversial Role in Fixing New York Subway
Value capture, collecting tax increment from subway adjacent properties to help provide money needed to repair the 114-year old subway system, is proposed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and opposed by the New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

'America’s First Climate Refugees' Are Still on the Island
The 99 residents of Isle de Jean Charles have $48 million to relocate together, but that doesn’t make it easy.

Why Change Can Be Hard for Transit Agencies
Jarrett Walker discusses some reasons why transit authorities can be resistant to change. It all comes down to considering their point of view.
A $48 Million Bet on the 'L.A. Model' of Juvenile Justice
With Campus Kilpatrick, Los Angeles County has made a serious investment in progressive design to support progressive programming.

Gov. Jerry Brown Calls for Five Million ZEVs on California Roads by 2030
The executive order calls for $2.5 billion for rebates and electric charging and hydrogen fueling stations, subject to approval by legislature. His earlier executive order called for 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2025.
Gov. Jerry Brown's 16th and Final State of the State
Infrastructure, climate change, and natural disasters were among the themes of the California governor's final address to the legislature and public. Two of his accomplishments, high-speed rail and increasing the gas tax, face uncertain futures.

South Carolinians Still on the Hook for Failed Nuclear Plants
“It has to be one of the greatest wastes of money in any state’s history,” Alan Greenblatt writes.

Miami-Dade Looking for Transit Funding Ideas
Officials in Miami-Dade County are moving quickly to potentially add a half-cent surtax to the November ballot.

Rift Grows Between U.S. Conference of Mayors and the White House
A delegation of mayors cancelled a scheduled visit to the White House this week after the Trump Administration ramped up attacks on sanctuary cities.

New York State, Not New York City, to Decide Whether to Toll Streets in Manhattan
While the city determines where to place parking meters and how much to charge, when it comes to charging tolls to drive in Manhattan, the city's elected leaders are excluded from the political process.

Temporary Trailers Will House Homeless in Downtown L.A.
If approved, a City Council motion would mark a shift in how Los Angeles deals with a rising number of homeless residents.
California Gas Tax Repeal Update: And Then There Was One
One of two initiatives to repeal last November's 12-cents per gallon gas tax increase failed to attract enough signatures by the Jan. 8 deadline. However, the other initiative has major backing and will likely appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Barrio 31 in Buenos Aires Holds Universal Truths About Informal Urban Places
A study of a poorer neighborhood in Buenos Aires reveals that a delicate balance of design, public space, planning, and access are keys to success.

New York City Congestion Pricing Plan Ready for Review
Motorists and truckers would pay tolls to drive south of 60th Street in Manhattan while passengers in taxis and ride-hailing vehicles would pay a surcharge under a plan released Friday by the Fix NYC panel convened by Gov. Cuomo in October.

Two Studies Show How Light Rail Benefits Houston
Finally, the city seems to be reaping benefits from a major investment in public transportation.

Why Zinke Gave Florida a Break on Drilling
After announcing the coast of almost all states would be open for oil and gas production, the Secretary of the Interior changed his mind on one after meeting with Trump’s favored candidate for Senate.
Pagination
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