Government / Politics

How to Make NIMBYs Part of the Solution

A look at how to program social equity into the planning process, and balance NIMBY concerns with collective goals, by Howard Blackson, leader of AVRP SkyPort Studios Urban Design practice in San Diego.

October 2, 2017 - UrbDeZine

Downtown Los Angeles

California's 15 Housing Bills Won't Do Enough

At a new affordable housing project in a low-income neighborhood of San Francisco, Gov. Brown signed the package Friday that places a $4 billion housing bond on the ballot next year, adds a $75 real estate transaction fee, and streamlines permitting.

October 2, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Tailpipe

California Mulls Banning Sales of Cars with Internal Combustion Engines

Eying European and Asian countries that have set, or are considering timelines to ban sales of cars that emit greenhouse gases, the California governor asked his chief air regulator to see why California couldn't follow suit.

October 1, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Vancouver Skyline

Major Changes Coming to British Columbia's Carbon Tax

The government of British Columbia, put in power this year with the help of the BC Green Party, is shoring up its climate change action resume.

September 30, 2017 - Sightline Institute

High Speed Rail Transforming California's Housing, TOD Conversation

The California Legislature took steps to address the state's housing crisis this year, but housing activists might look to the Governor's High Speed Rail project to provide a link to affordable housing in the Central Valley.

September 29, 2017 - The Planning Report

Maryland's $9 Billion Project Would Be the Nation's Largest P3 for Highways

Gov. Larry Hogan (R-Md.) announced last week plans for the largest highway contract awarded to a public-private partnership: adding four express toll lanes to the Capital Beltway and I-270. A third highway widening will be completed internally.

September 29, 2017 - Planetizen

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh City Council Mulls Options for Affordable Housing Funding

Deciding to create an affordable housing trust fund is one thing, deciding how to fund it is another.

September 28, 2017 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ozone Layer

30 Years Later—The Montreal Protocol as Essential as Ever

At least this story is about what might have been if we hadn't passed environmental regulations, instead of what will happen if we don't.

September 27, 2017 - National Geographic

Arthur Ravenel Jr. Cooper River Cable-Stay Bridge

States Sue Trump Administration Over Suspended Clean Transportation Rule

A coalition of government bodies from eight states around the country has sued the Trump Administration, claiming that the U.S. DOT unlawfully suspended an emissions accounting rule.

September 26, 2017 - NRDC Blog

Miami Temperature

Miami Beach: A Model of Climate Adaptation for Coastal Cities?

How did the seven square mile, four-foot high barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean off Miami and Biscayne Bay hold-up to Hurricane Irma? The city arguably has done more to adapt to sea level rise in recent times than any other coastal city.

September 22, 2017 - Planetizen

D.C. Auditor Reveals Blight Enforcement Shortcomings

There's a surprising amount of vacancies and blight in the nation's capital, and District officials aren't doing everything in their power to address the challenge.

September 22, 2017 - The Washington Post

HUD

Carson Op-Ed Lays Out the Trump Agenda for HUD

Ben Carson has penned an op-ed that lays out the ideology driving the Trump Administration's approach to the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

September 22, 2017 - The Hill

Street Musician

Buskers Welcome at Select Sound Transit Stations

A popular program to allow street performers (aka, buskers) into station areas on the Seattle region's Sound Transit system has been expanded.

September 21, 2017 - The Urbanist

Wheelchair Ramp

House Bill Would Add Red Tape to Americans With Disabilities Act Protections

An underreported bill in the current congressional session would create a waiting period for Americans with Disabilities Act claims.

September 20, 2017 - NOS Magazine

Amazon's Second HQ Poised for Smart Growth

Amazon's second headquarters is huge, and their bias for walkable places says they are going to do it all over again in a new city. However, maybe they should take the high road and not beg for subsidies.

September 19, 2017 - Smart Growth America

BART Train

Three Transportation Ballot Measures Could Be Headed to Bay Area Voters Next Year

The California Legislature approved bills to allow voters to decide on hiking sales taxes and tolls for regional transportation. Gov. Jerry Brown already signed a bill to allow San Mateo County voters to hike sales taxes for transportation.

September 19, 2017 - The Daily Journal

BMW Electric Vehicle

Funding for Electric Vehicle Rebates Approved in California

On the final day of the legislative session, the California Legislature approved a budget bill that directs $1.5 billion in carbon auction revenues. A prior post described a bill that would have quadrupled state EV rebates: but it died.

September 19, 2017 - CALmatters

Chicago Bike Trail

Sustainable for Whom? Large-Scale Urban Development Projects and 'Environmental Gentrification'

Large, adaptive-reuse projects are all the rage in urban planning today, but absent a fundamentally new approach—with affordability at the center of the process—they are likely to become engines of what's been termed "environmental gentrification."

September 18, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Harvey Floods Houston

How the National Flood Insurance Program Sabotaged Itself

Having charged low rates during years of bumper development, the National Flood Insurance Program worked at cross-purposes with itself while development continued on.

September 18, 2017 - Vox

California

Critical Housing Bills Pass California Legislature on Final Day

The California legislature ended its season on Friday, handing Gov. Jerry Brown a third major victory. After passing landmark legislation earlier in transportation and climate change, a slate of controversial housing bills await his signature.

September 17, 2017 - The Mercury News

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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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