Government / Politics

Getting Raised in Gentilly, Loisiana

Will Americans Ever Move Out of Flood-Prone Areas?

After a series of hurricanes, experts discuss how guide people out of the way of the most deadly floods and storms.

September 16, 2017 - Vox

El Paso Exurbs

State Budget Delivered Blow to Impoverished Texas Exurbs

Along the Mexican border, Texas "colonias" have often gone without basic infrastructure. Saying it'll cut bureaucracy, Governor Greg Abbott removed funding for a program that helps residents access government services.

September 15, 2017 - Governing

Los Angeles

Los Angeles Could Charge Non-Residents to Drive in Congested Areas

If this solution from a regional planning agency gains traction, New York City may have some competition to become the first American city to implement congestion pricing.

September 15, 2017 - KPCC

New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina

Homeland Security Advisor Recognizes Effects of Climate Change, Ignores Causes

In response to a question linking Hurricanes Irma and Harvey to climate change, White House Homeland Security Advisor Tom Bossert appeared to recognize the need to adapt. He qualified his statement regarding the "cause" of said climate change.

September 14, 2017 - The Washington Post

Miami Beach

Miami Beach: A Four-Foot High Barrier Island Awaited Irma

A city of almost 92,000 people sits on a one-mile wide island designed by nature to protect the mainland from ocean swells, storms, and hurricanes. The seven-mile long island, which floods even when sunny, was spared from catastrophic storm surge.

September 14, 2017 - Planetizen

Hong Kong Taxis

China to Ban Gas and Diesel Car Sales to Spur EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) have a bright future in the world's most populous nation and largest auto market, unlike those powered by oil. That was a ministry chief's message at an auto forum on Saturday.

September 13, 2017 - Bloomberg News

Moving

Political Sorting: Americans Moving to Places That Match Their Views

Americans are more likely to relocate to places where residents share their politics. One man is making a business out of helping conservatives move to conservative districts.

September 12, 2017 - The New York Times

Amazon Fulfillment Center

Amazon's Second HQ Poised for Smart Growth

With a second headquarters, Amazon is poised to expand its preference for walkable places into a new city. However, maybe the company should take the high road and not beg for subsidies.

September 12, 2017 - Smart Growth America

Carribean

Climate Negligence in Florida?

In advance of Hurricane Irma's landfall in Florida, Governor Rick Scott worked non-stop urging residents to leave mandatory evacuation zones. But what has he done to prepare since he took office in 2011?

September 12, 2017 - The Washington Post - Health & Science

San Francisco Houses

Coming to Terms With the Bay Area's Housing 'Death Spiral'

Prospects for solving the Bay Area's severe housing shortage look far off. Action on the state level may be one way to approach this crippling collective action problem.

September 12, 2017 - SPUR

California State Water project

$84 Million in Federal Funds Improperly Spent on California's Delta Tunnels

A federal audit has revealed a failure to disclose the true costs of planning for the Delta tunnel projects.

September 9, 2017 - Associated Press via Los Angeles Times

Houston Flood

Houston Flooding: Climate Change or Development Patterns to Blame?

The Guardian's former environmental editor asks if urban sprawl is as much to blame as climate change for the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston.

September 9, 2017 - Guardian

City Planners

How to Improve Charrettes

In participatory planning, there is no planning without several events known as charrettes, which you probably already knew. Less likely to be common knowledge, however, is how charrettes can live up to their promise in the planning process.

September 9, 2017 - Next City

Mt. Hood and Traffic

Op-Ed: What Oregon's DOT Gets Wrong on Roadway Safety

Faced with an uptick in roadway fatalities, Oregon is looking at how to increase safety. But it's concentrating on highways while arterials actually account for the region's most severe crashes.

September 8, 2017 - City Observatory

Washington D.C.

Mass Exodus Underway at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Since the beginning of September, 400 employees have left the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The reduced staffing levels are by design.

September 7, 2017 - The Scientist

Federal Building

Making the Most of the Federal Government's Vast Portfolio of Commercial Properties

As the largest commercial property holder int he United States, the federal government's development plans can contribute to the economic and cultural success of communities.

September 5, 2017 - Governing

Scott Pruitt

EPA's Scott Pruitt Dismisses Global Warming Connection to Houston Flooding

While any one event can not be attributed to global warming, climate scientists have long acknowledged a connection to extreme weather. Pruitt, a climate denier, dismisses any such connection with the amount of rainfall from Hurricane Harvey.

September 5, 2017 - Talking Points Memo

Texas Flood

The Culprit of Houston Flooding: Sprawl, Not Lack of Zoning

As Houston's flood waters recede and attention turns from rescue to recovery and soon rebuilding, critics have pointed to the city's lack of zoning as the cause of the devastation. But are they looking in the right direction?

September 4, 2017 - New York Magazine

Houston Bayou

Rebuilding Houston After Harvey: 'Bigger and Better'

Those were the words President Trump expressed before his first trip to Texas while Hurricane Harvey was ravaging Houston. But experts worry that the rebuilding won't be better due to the recision of an Obama-era environmental regulation.

September 2, 2017 - NPR

Oregon Launches EV Rebates Funded by Auto Sales Tax

Oregon is one of five states that has no sales tax, but that will change on January 1, with Gov. Kate Brown's signature on a landmark transportation funding bill that applies a half-cent sales tax to auto sales and increases gas taxes by 10 cents.

September 1, 2017 - Planetizen

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

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.