Government / Politics
Shut It and Gut It: Anchorage Takes Hard Look at Transit Center
After 500 hours of analyzing its downtown transit center, Anchorage officials have come to one conclusion: The only way to fix this building is to shut it and gut it. The transit center, over three decades, has become a blight on Downtown.
A Conservationist Turns to the City
Journalist Alex Ulam speaks with Sarene Marshall, director of the Urban Land Institute's Center for Sustainability, about the role conservation is playing in fighting climate change and her role at the agency.
Philadelphia's Triumphs, Challenges, and Opportunities
Philadelphia's recent growth is noteworthy. A series of public choices and commitments have helped to restore confidence in the city's government, re-position the city's employment base, and improve quality of life for citizens.
The Most Popular Planetizen Posts of 2015
The results of a year's worth of writing, reading, sharing, and commenting are in. These are the most popular Planetizen posts from the year 2015.
Planning Programs to Watch in the Federal Omnibus Spending Bill
Congress is on pace to wrap up a major piece of federal legislation before leaving for recess.
Cities Should Stop Electronic Warrantless Surveillance
From ALPR cameras mounted on garbage trucks to IMSI catchers such as Dirtboxes and Stingrays, local authorities have increased exponentially the amount of electronic surveillance, with little regard for the basic principles of privacy.
Oil Export Ban Lifted—After 42 Years
Thanks to a 'must-pass' omnibus spending bill that President Obama indicated he would sign, the ban on crude oil exports, a relic of the 1973 Arab oil embargo, will be lifted. In exchange, energy credits will be extended for wind and solar products.
Big Changes in the New Year for the Seattle Department of Planning and Development
The traditional functions of planning are going to look a lot different in Seattle when the calendar changes to 2016.
Huge Southern California Methane Leak Won't Be Plugged for Months
The mother of all natural gas leaks can be found near Porter Ranch in Los Angeles County. The methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is leaking from an underground storage facility known as the Aliso Canyon Gas Storage Field owned by SoCalGas Company.
Congress to Even Tax Breaks for Car and Transit Commuters
Tax benefits have long provided more incentives for car commuters than transit users. Congress is expected to even the score with a new tax bill.
First There Were Electric Vehicles—Will Electric Roads Be Next?
Two Texas universities received a federal grant to embed sensors in road asphalt to create renewable electricity from the wind created by passing vehicles to power roadside lights and traffic signals.
Power to the City
As the presidential election season gears up, Mortimer B. Zuckerman's op-ed offers a cynical and weary electorate hope by invoking a transformative political vision of the role of the city.
Seattle Residents Angling For New Cap Park Over I-5
As Seattle’s Convention Center expansion moves forward, community members want the public benefit discussion to focus on a new downtown park over I-5.
San Francisco's Diesel Bus and Truck Fleet Just Got Much Greener
San Francisco's diesel vehicles have been using a biodiesel blend for years, but in a move that illustrates the differences among biofuels, Mayor Ed Lee announced that the fleet will now use 100 percent renewable diesel fuel.
Milwaukee's Push to Move the Homeless From the Streets Into Permanent Housing
Milwaukee County, Wisconsin is following a growing trend in cities across the country of working to end chronic homelessness by providing permanent housing to the homeless.
Car-Free Movement Gaining Steam in Europe and Elsewhere
Athlyn Cathcart-Keays of The Guardian-Cities chronicles the advancement of the international urban car-free movement as well as auto regulations that focus on air pollution. The most recent city to join the growing list is Oslo, Norway
Good News on Bad Air Day in Beijing
Calling Monday's air pollution a 'bad air day' is a gross understatement. The "soupy metallic haze" was comparable to walking through a coal mine. People were told not to go outside. But the good news is how the government is addressing pollution.
Debating the Idaho Stop in the Nation's Capital
Rhetoric from both sides of the issue is on display as Washington, D.C. considers a new law allowing bike riders to treat stop signs as yield signs.
Development Debate Draws Political Lines in Massachusetts
A Boston Globe columnist comes down strongly in favor of a mixed-use project in a Boston suburb, and laments the obstacles facing smart growth in this and other, similar, communities.
City Liable For Cyclist's Death Due to Poor Road Design
Road diets, whereby the number of traffic lanes are reduced to better accommodate cyclists, can be controversial. But what of the opposite—adding lanes to better accommodate motorists? A cyclist died after such an "improvement." A lawsuit followed.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
