Government / Politics
Historic Energy Reforms Come to Mexico, Maybe Venezuela Too
Mexico is poised to allow foreign investment in its state-owned oil company, Pemex, for the first time in 75 years. In Venezuela, home to the world's cheapest gasoline, prices are due to skyrocket if President Maduro ends subsidies as he's indicated.
Too Fast or Too Slow? Environmental Review of NY/NJ Bridge Project Criticized
Though it's been expedited, the cumbersome environmental review process for a plan to raise the deck of the Bayonne Bridge has New York area leaders fuming over impediments to economic development. Others contend the review is being rushed.
A Call to Give New York's Planning Power to the People
Michael Sorkin bemoans the trickle-down planning ethos of the Bloomberg era and sees the need to increase the city's resiliency as an opportunity to "return to the task of physical planning attuned to local desires".
How Thomas Menino Wove Boston's Neighborhoods into a "Whole City"
Over twenty years in office, Mayor Thomas Menino had a considerable impact on Boston's built environment. For Robert Campbell, the Mayor's most substantial accomplishment was in recapturing "the places in between".
Global Warming Becomes Hot Spot for U.S. State Department
While secretary of state John Kerry has been jetting around the world pushing for peace in the world's hot spots, the State Department has been undergoing a top-down pivot to address a topic no less daunting: global warming.
New York Department Becomes Model for Integrating and Empowering Immigrants
As cities across the Unites States look to lure immigrants to grow their populations and economies, many are turning to a program in New York for advice. Kirk Semple looks at the city's pioneering Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Chicago Doesn't Have to Look Far to Find New DOT Chief
When Mayor Rahm Emanuel sought out his first transportation chief, he lured Gabe Klein from Washington D.C. This week it was announced that Klein's successor had been found much closer to home: the city's transit authority.
Will 2014 Bring a New Transit Tax Push in L.A.?
Los Angeles area officials are discussing options for placing a new transportation funding measure before voters. A similar effort in 2012 failed to pass the necessary 67 percent threshold by less than 16,000 votes (out of nearly 2 million cast).
Successor to Sadik-Khan Announced
Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has announced that Polly Trottenberg, the third-ranking official at the US Department of Transportation, will become the next Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation. She's got big shoes to fill.
2013: A Train Wreck Year for Toronto
Christopher Hume reflects on Toronto’s year of natural, political and transit catastrophes.
Top 10 City Scandals of 2013
As we bid farewell to 2013, here are the Top 10 scandals that cast a negative light on some global cities this past year.
Planetizen's Most Popular Pieces of 2013
We're looking forward to another stimulating year of news, commentary, and professional development. But before the calendar turns to 2014, we wanted to take a look back at our most popular blog posts, exclusive articles, and news items from 2013.
Washington Post Endorses Blumenauer's Gas Tax Hike and Mileage Fee Study Bills
The Washington Post editorial pulled no punches. The Highway Trust Fund must be fully funded, meaning that gas taxes must increase in the short term. Furthermore, a transition to a road usage fee is needed, and Rep. Earl Blumenauer's 2 bills do both.
Petroleum's Coke Problem Plagues Chicago
Petroleum coke or petcoke, similar to coal, is a nasty though salable byproduct of the oil refining process. Produced from refining tar sands crude in Indiana refineries, it is stored in huge piles in Chicago, blowing dust in the Southeast Side.
Replace the Gas Tax with a "Ton-Mile Fee"
As we inexorably approach the day the Highway Trust Fund goes broke, more policy experts offer creative alternatives to the per gallon gasoline tax. Michael Webber of the Energy Institute at UT Austin describes his option in a New York Times op-ed.
Popular Federal Tool for Investing in Distressed Areas Again Under Threat
A year after it was rescued from elimination, the federal New Market Tax Credit program is again facing extinction. Congress must act before the end of the year to save the popular tool for subsidizing investment in underserved communities.
Is Suburban Exploitation to Blame for Camden's Decline?
Are failing cities like Camden, New Jersey, to blame for their own downfall? Or are they the victims of a regional exploitation in which the suburbs foist their problems onto the nearest urban center?
"Catastrophic" Ice Storm Freezes Toronto, Mayor
A severe ice storm struck southern Ontario and the northern U.S. over the weekend, delivering prolonged power outages and disrupting holiday travel. Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was allegedly unreachable after the storm.
Reaching the Limits of Passionate Defense: Time to Turn Back
Ben Brown confronts the politics of NO and finds -- spoiler alert(!) -- "to score, you need to shoot, and to shoot, you need the puck." Welcome to the waning days of Passionate D.
The Politics of Lane Closures: GW Bridge-Gate
The unannounced lane closures on the George Washington Bridge in early September have brought down two Port Authority directors and now hold serious implications for popular N.J. Gov. Chris Christie (R), thought to be a 2016 presidential candidate.
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
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
