Government / Politics
8 New Jobs City Hall Needs Now
City Hall isn't what it once was. Here are eight new positions that your local government should be hiring for this year.
Bridge Redesign a Victory for Pedestrian, Cycling Advocates
In Los Angeles, months of agitation by pedestrian and bicycling advocates have finally paid off.
Tax and Borrow Plan Advanced by Delaware Gov. Markell to Fund Transportation
The 10-cent gas tax hike the governor proposed would only meet Delaware's transportation needs half-way. Gov. Markell also endorsed borrowing $50 million a year, matching the additional gas tax revenues. Combined, DelDot's debt load would be reduced.
Behind the Scenes of Philly's New Land Bank Law
In Philadelphia, an alliance of unusual suspects worked together to convince the city to create the land bank. The law isn't perfect but the new land bank will significantly improve the city’s vacant property process.
Bringing Caltrans Into The 21st Century
Can the nation's largest state department of transportation, long oriented to building highways and fighting congestion, be brought into the modern, multi-modal era? The State Smart Transportation Initiative's report for Caltrans may do just that.
The Mythical Search for 'Congruity' in the City
In the eighth installment of the Urban Juxtapositions series profiled in Planetizen on January 16, Chuck Wolfe asks if we are using the right language when it comes to densifying urban spaces.
"What Did He Know, and When Did He Know It?" Bridge-Gate Plot Thickens
David Wildstein, the former Port Authority official who resigned over the George Washington Bridge-Gate lane closures and has refused to answer investigators' questions, indicated in his lawyer's letter that N.J. Gov. Christie knew of the closures.
Energy Policy in State of the Union Upsets Some Environmentalists
In his State of the Union address, President Obama touted his "all of the above" energy policy which was bemoaned by some environmental groups who are upset with his embrace of natural gas as a "bridge fuel" to a clean energy future.
Congress Still Exploring Fix for Flood Insurance Expenses
With the National Flood Insurance Program deeply in debt, homeowners are struggling to afford new insurance rates resulting from legislation passed in 2012. The House could still block the Senate bill that would delay more rate increases.
State of the Union Notable for What Wasn't Addressed
In prior State of the Unions, President Obama has put forth bold plans for building high-speed rail, tackling climate change and transitioning to alternative energy sources. Facing an obstinate Congress, he outlined a more modest agenda last night.
End the Transit Commuter Benefit, And Replace It With This
If we really want more people to use transit, and we think it's a worthwhile goal to subsidize people's commutes, why go through all the trouble of tax deductions and employer control? Why not just subsidize transit passes directly?
Bi-Partisan Farm Bill Called a ‘Money-Saving Jobs Bill’
Two years overdue, Congress has released a draft of the new five-year Farm Bill, which the House quickly passed. Traditionally a signal of Congress’ willingness to preserve the status quo, this version includes a few changes in spending priorities.
Gov. Jerry Brown Looks to Calif. Supreme Court for High Speed Rail Relief
Hoping to bypass the Sacramento Superior Court's twin rulings in November that crippled the Calif. High Speed Rail Authority's ability to tap $10 billion in state bond funds, Gov. Brown has petitioned the state Supreme Court to overturn the rulings.
NTSB Makes Urgent Recommendations to Address Crude-by-Rail Explosions
The National Transportation Safety Board called on federal regulators on Jan. 23 to approve several measures in light of a rash of oil train derailments and crude oil explosions as did their Canadian counterparts, the Transportation Safety Board.
Participatory Budgeting Produces Meaningful Change in Brazil
Since 1990, around half of Brazil's largest cities have adopted participatory budgeting. A new study finds the experiment has had positive impacts on health and quality of life. With more countries adopting the practice, the results are encouraging.
Virginia Senate Votes to Rescind Prius Tax
The much maligned "Prius tax", an annual registration fee for hybrid and electric vehicles to ensure they pay their share of road costs that was part of former Va. Governor Bob McDonell's landmark transportation bill last year, may soon be history.
Dallas Bans Protests Near Freeways
Supporters call a new Dallas ordinance banning protests near freeways a “pro-safety” measure rather than an “anti-protest” measure.
Casino Revenue Key to Detroit’s Revival
A federal bankruptcy judge’s rejection of a deal between Detroit and its creditors will stall the City’s access to casino funds it needs to restore services and speedily exit bankruptcy. In the big picture, however, the decision may benefit Detroit.
U.K. Could Soon Control Activities in Public Spaces
Although it’s already been dealt one parliamentary setback, the “Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill” is still under consideration in the U.K. Critics are concerned that, if the law passes, there will be no true public space left.
The Shared Dynamics of Obamacare and Public Transit
Seems like an absurd pairing, right? Perhaps so but please hear me out.
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.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
