Government / Politics

Lawsuit Over Contract Planning Work Embroils Paterson, New Jersey

The city of Paterson, New Jersey, is suing the City-Council-appointed Board of Adjustment in a dispute over using in-house planners versus contract planners.

August 26, 2015 - Paterson Press

Public Opinion Split on I-710 Tunnel Plans in Southern California

The public comment period has ended on one of Southern California's most persistent planning controversies—a proposal to connect the I-710 Freeway between Pasadena and Alhambra. The current plan calls for a long underground tunnel.

August 25, 2015 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Unlikely Sector Supports Increased California Fuel Taxes

Anti-tax, business groups are backing plans to fill the road budget shortfall by increasing fuel taxes and registration fees, but they want general fund dollars diverted to the road budget as well.

August 25, 2015 - Sacramento Business Journal

Gray Wolves Return to the Golden State—After 91 Years

Two adults and five pups have been photographed in Northern California by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They are protected by the federal and state Endangered Species Act, which is credited for their return.

August 24, 2015 - San Mateo County Times

Julian Castro

An Interview with HUD Secretary Julian Castro

"We use housing as a platform to create greater opportunity in people's lives."

August 24, 2015 - The Diane Rehm Show

St. Louis NFL Stadium Plans Clear Initial Funding Hurdle

A proposal to build a new NFL stadium in St. Louis received its first clearance for tax credits—$15 million from the Missouri Development Finance Board. Additional requests for $17.5 million will follow in 2016 and 2017.

August 23, 2015 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Environmental Justice

The EPA's Lackluster Environmental Justice Record

The Center for Public Integrity has released a report criticizing the EPA's environmental justice competence. In only 12 cases has the agency taken official action on behalf of communities affected disproportionately by polluters.

August 20, 2015 - Next City

HUD Decides to Evict 'Over-Income' Public Housing Tenants

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has shifted its response to an audit finding tens of thousands "over-income" residents living in subsidized housing.

August 20, 2015 - The Washington Post

Wichita State of the City Address

Mayors Are Taking an Interest in Infrastructure

Mayoral races and State of the City speeches highlight the growing political importance of local infrastructure initiatives.

August 20, 2015 - Next City

EPA Proposes Rule to Reduce Methane Emissions from New Oil and Gas Wells

On the heels of President Obama's Clean Power Plan rule that reduces carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, the new rule focuses on the other major greenhouse gas, methane, and rather than coal, it is focused on oil and gas drilling.

August 20, 2015 - The Atlantic

Texas Drought

A State of Thirst

In the middle of a population boom, Texas is looking across state lines for more water. The U.S. Supreme Court said no the first time; does that mean it will say no again?

August 19, 2015 - Katharine Jose

Access to Jobs

A Central Hub for Open Data

Designed by researchers at the University of Chicago, the Plenario platform gathers all available open data for a specific area. Then it presents the data in an easy-to-use format.

August 18, 2015 - Government Technology

The Case For and Against Red Light Cameras

Eric Jaffe of CityLab looks at what went wrong with what should have been a clear way to employ technology to reduce crashes and save lives, and what can be done to stem the tide of cities removing red light cameras.

August 18, 2015 - CityLab

Op-Ed: Texas Should Lead, Not Litigate, on Clean Power

A Houston Chronicle business columnist argues in defense of the Obama Administration's new environmental rules.

August 18, 2015 - Houston Chronicle

Vintage Taxi

New Data Sheds Light on Uber's Impact in NYC

Stakeholders are hoping that the 93 million car-for-hire trip records will better inform a heated debate in NYC.

August 17, 2015 - FiveThirtyEight

Connecticut Democratic Leader Quick to Dismiss Road Usage Charge

The senate majority leader made clear that a mileage fee is not in the state's future. Diverting a half cent from the sales tax to the transportation budget took pressure off finding a sustainable solution to the state's transportation funding crisis

August 16, 2015 - CT Post

Small Starts Funding Cut Jeopardizes Critical SMART Train Extension

After a Senate committee slashed the Small Starts grant program, the new Marin-Sonoma "SMART" train may not be extended from San Rafael to the Larkspur ferry landing, a critical link enabling rail commuters to take the ferry to San Francisco.

August 14, 2015 - Marin Independent Journal

Florida County Commissioners to Vote on Increased Gas Tax

Florida counties have their own gas taxes and can raise them without going to a vote by the people. Due to a road budget shortfall, the Santa Rosa County Commission will vote on August 13 whether to raise the gas tax as much as six cents per gallon.

August 14, 2015 - Pensacola NewsJournal

Can California Cut Oil Use in Half by 2030?

A bill working its way through the California State Legislature would require the state to reduce petroleum its consumption by half in 15 years. CALmatters, a nonprofit journalism venture, seeks to find out if it is even possible.

August 13, 2015 - Daily Democrat

Vancouver Skyline

Controversy Precedes Departure of Vancouver Head of Planning

Brian Jackson will retire after stepping down from his position as chief planner for the city of Vancouver.

August 13, 2015 - The Globe and Mail

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.