Government / Politics

Empty Parking Lot

As a Driverless Future Dawns, Should We Still Build Parking?

No one is really sure how many parking spots the United States contains, but estimates stretch up to 2 billion.

May 23, 2017 - Doggerel

Homeless Man

Solving Homelessness: Title V's Shortcomings and Potential Explained

The Title V program makes the hard parts of solving homelessness—finding the money and the property—a lot easier. So why hasn't it been used at a much larger scale?

May 22, 2017 - CityLab

280 Freeway San Francisco

Federal Infrastructure Grants: The Historical Trends

On the cusp of a new infrastructure proposal from the White House, how has federal spending changed over the last 70 years? What will it take to reach historical averages?

May 21, 2017 - Eno Transportation Weekly

Oregon Voters Support LNG Export Facility

A proposed $7.5 billion facility to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Oregon's south coast received a resounding vote of support on Tuesday from Coos County voters who rejected a ballot measure that would have banned its construction.

May 18, 2017 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

President Obama

Op-Ed: Obama's Weak Climate Change Legacy

David Bookbinder argues that the Obama Administration dragged its feet on climate change, only implementing last-minute actions that will be easy to reverse.

May 18, 2017 - Vox

Houston

Is Houston a City of the (Demographic) Future?

Bucking Texas political stereotypes, Houston is standing by its immigrant community. One reason: the city is one of country's most racially diverse.

May 18, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Donald Trump

Trump Looks to Saudis to Help Finance Infrastructure Plan

President Trump will take his first trip abroad on Friday to Saudi Arabia, where he hopes to secure a $40 billion investment for his $1 trillion infrastructure plan. At home, Trump's plan was rebuffed by Texas legislators.

May 16, 2017 - Bloomberg Politics

California Cap-and-Trade Overhaul and Extension Emphasizes Dividend and Equity

While California cap-and-trade survived a legal challenge last month, a haze still surrounds the program. Carbon permit sales are low, and the program's longevity is threatened after 2020. A new bill was introduced to transform the program.

May 15, 2017 - Vox

Wind

Maryland Positions Itself as Nation's Leader in Offshore Wind Power

In a few years, Maryland is expected to be the nation's leader in offshore renewable wind power made possible by the Public Service Commission's approval on May 11 of credits to two projects by U.S. Wind and Skipjack Offshore Energy.

May 15, 2017 - Planetizen

Downtown Flint Michigan along Saginaw Street

25 Best Examples of Innovative Government Programs

The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University will award $100,000 to a grand price winner for the Innovations in American Government Awards.

May 15, 2017 - Harvard Kennedy School

Methane

Congress Fails to Roll Back Obama-Era Methane Emissions Rule

Current events that have nothing to do with the environment but everything to do with politics might have caused the defeat of a bill to overturn an Obama-era rule designed to reduce methane emissions on federal lands.

May 12, 2017 - The Washington Post

Milwaukee Looking for Ways to Finally Force Landlords to Pay Property Taxes

Landlords in Milwaukee have several methods for avoiding paying fines and property taxes—it's all a part of gaming the system. After the local paper investigated the "landlord games," the city is taking action.

May 12, 2017 - Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel

Repeal of Gas Tax Increase Possible in California

After several years, Sen. Jim Beall's persistent efforts to address the state's $130 billion road and bridge shortfall finally passed the legislature, but Assemblyman Travis Allen hopes to repeal the 12-cent tax hike through the initiative process.

May 11, 2017 - The Sacramento Bee - Capitol Alert

Durham, North Carolina

Durham, NC, Reorganizes to Streamline Development Review

Durham, North Carolina, joins the ranks of local government agencies who have shifted to an integrated development services model focused on customer service.

May 11, 2017 - North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association

Gas Pumps

States Increasing Gas Taxes, Again

After a slow 2016, four states this year have already passed state gas tax increases. South Carolina may be next if they override the governor's veto. A new analysis should help legislators do just that.

May 10, 2017 - Governing

U.S. Census

Turmoil at the U.S. Census Bureau as Director Resigns

John H. Thompson resigned on Tuesday from his position as director of the U.S. Census Bureau. Thompson served as director of the Census Bureau since 2013.

May 10, 2017 - The Washington Post

California

Op-Ed: Sacramento Drags Feet on Housing

Dan Walters has some harsh words for California state leaders. He says their approach to the housing shortage has been "tepid" and "lackadaisical."

May 10, 2017 - The Sacramento Bee

Tolling May Finance Repair of Bay Area Highway Threatened by Sea Level Rise

Officials have begun tackling the problem of adapting low-lying State Route 37 in the North Bay, closed several times this year due to flooding, to climate change. With no identified funding, a working group is leaning toward road tolling.

May 9, 2017 - The Press Democrat

Housing Construction

Making the Case for Wooden Buildings

Is mass timber the new frontier in low-carbon building? The National Building Museum's newest exhibition, Timber City, pays homage to the potential of tall timber structures which have strength comparable to steel.

May 9, 2017 - Doggerel

California Aqueduct

What Will Los Angeles Will Do Next On Housing & Water? Look To Their Neighbors

The cities of Santa Monica, Culver CIty, West Hollywood, and Malibu are championing stormwater infrastructure, new public transit, affordable housing, and action on homelessness prevention.

May 9, 2017 - The Planning Report

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.