Government / Politics
'General Welfare' for the Next Generation
The "health, safety, and general welfare" of our communities are poorly served by the outcomes of the status quo.
Nebraska Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto to Hike Gas Tax
Thirty votes were needed on May 14 to overturn Gov. Pete Ricketts veto of the six cents per gallon gas tax hike approved by the state legislature, and that's just how many Sen. Jim Smith received. South Carolina may be next.
Stiff Opposition to San Diego Mixed-Use Mega-Project
In February, the city council approved One Paseo, a 1.4 million-square-foot mix of offices, residences, retail, and entertainment. The project's detractors have forced a referendum, putting a kink in San Diego's urbanist planning ambitions.
Mayoral Op-Ed: U.S. Needs to Play Catch-Up on Transportation
Mayors Bill de Blasio of New York and Mick Cornett of Oklahoma City say federal dollars are the only way to restore crumbling infrastructure. China and Europe are investing heavily, while U.S. rates are at a 20-year low.
Op-Ed: Charge Drivers by the Gallon, Not by the Mile
Ben Adler of Grist makes a convincing case of why we should stick with gas taxes and not switch to a road usage charge, as Oregon will do July 1 in a limited program. Tax what you burn, not by how much you drive, he argues, to get the best results.
Montreal Debates Tolls or Mileage Charges to Finance Bridge Construction
A powerful realty group fears tolls will 'marginalize' downtown Montreal, so they propose a regional kilometer-traveled-fee to finance the new Champlain Bridge.
Controversial Wyoming Law Prohibits Data Collection on Open Lands
It might take a law degree to separate fact and fiction about the law, but Wyoming has gone to new lengths to limit the access of researchers, including Jane and John Q Public, to data found in open spaces.
California Transportation Spending Gets Boost from Budget Revision
A short term increase in spending hides California's annual structural deficit of almost $6 billion—money needed to maintain the state's roads and bridges.
Adding the Environment to the 'Progressive Agenda'
The 13-point 'Progressive Agenda' announced by high profile liberal political leadership earlier this week neglected environmental policies. Can progressives get two birds with one stone?
Boston Launching First Comprehensive Plan Since 1965
Better architecture has been a consistent theme of the tenure of Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. The city's first comprehensive plan since 1965 could be the key tool in producing the desired results.
House Republicans Slash Amtrak's Budget Hours After Seven Die in Derailment
The timeliness of the debate on Amtrak's budget could not have been worse for House Republicans who appeared insensitive at best in approving almost a 20 percent cut in funding after the fatal Philadelphia derailment that sent 200 to hospitals.
Metros Seek Balance Between Fragmentation and Amalgamation
As the world's cities grow ever larger, local governments constantly ask themselves which is better: amalgamating into one metro-wide government, or maintaining autonomy among fragmented jurisdictions? The answer remains unclear.
The Real Story Behind the Death of Streetcars in the United States
Yes, there was a conspiracy led by General Motors to replace streetcars with their buses in the 1930s. But streetcars were dying well before then, due to competition with the automobile and other reasons apart from nefarious corporate collusions.
Controversial Housing Moratorium Proposed for San Francisco's Mission District
San Francisco Supervisor David Campos, who represents the popular Mission District, has proposed a 45-day moratorium on market-rate, multifamily residential development. A ballot measure is possible.
Household Solar Popularity Builds, As Does Utility Industry Discomfort
Utilities and regulators should be looking forward, not backward, to find ways to invest in progress, rather than trying desperately to cling to yesterday's business model, which is based on encouraging consumption of polluting sources of energy.
Concerns Raised Over Property Tax for Minneapolis' Nicollet Mall Renovation
A debate over a special property tax assessment to fund a James Corner-designed redo of Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis raises questions about public benefit and value capture.
Regulation Not Keeping Pace with the Popularity of Drones
The use drones for planning and its related fields has obvious and immediate potential. So far, however, the use of drones lacks a coherent regulatory framework.
Seattle Densification Strategy: Build Apartments Without Parking
Not just any apartments, only those served by frequent transit. Developers will still have a "mobility" requirement: In lieu of a parking space, they'll need to provide tenants with transit passes and memberships in car and bikeshare services.
When States Should Blow the Whistle
States regulate local governments too much in some areas, but not enough in others.
Gas Tax Hike Showdown Headed to Nebraska
Strong leadership from the governor may be the most important factor in passing state gas tax increases. But what happens when the governor opposes increasing the gas tax and the legislature supports it? Nebraska is about to find out.
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.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
