Government / Politics

Ways to Fail at Form-Based Codes 01: Don’t Articulate a Vision

Like any tool, form-based codes must be wielded skillfully for beautiful results. Hazel Borys kicks off a series on ways we go awry.

February 22, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Seattle and Chicago Mayors Bicker Over Bikers

Back in December, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his aim of attracting Seattle's bikers and tech jobs while opening a new protected bike lane downtown. Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn isn't taking Emanuel's entreaties lightly.

February 21, 2013 - Seattle Bike Blog

Local Planning Expands in the UK

Twenty English cities are joining an existing eight in the government's "city deal" program, which gives local governments expanded planning and financial powers.

February 21, 2013 - BBC News

Will 'Fracking Proponent' Be Obama's Next Energy Secretary?

Sources said that Ernest Moniz, former Energy Department undersecretary for President Clinton may replace Steven Chu as Energy Secretary. He now directs MIT's Energy Initiative and serves on Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

February 20, 2013 - Reuters

Can D.C. Become America's 'Healthiest, Greenest and Most Livable' City?

With the release of his new "Sustainable D.C." plan, Mayor Vincent Gray has outlined dozens of initiatives "that he hopes will vastly change how residents and visitors experience and travel across the city," reports Tim Craig.

February 20, 2013 - The Washington Post

Obama Outlines Infrastructure Strategy

Today, President Obama is expected to flesh out the details of his plan to repair the nation’s ailing infrastructure. John Schwartz details the initiatives, which aim to circumvent Congress and capitalize on private investment.

February 20, 2013 - The New York Times

Belligerent Map Campaigns

Old and new maps take center stage in China's effort to lay claims to disputed territories.

February 20, 2013 - The Washington Post

A Community of Brick Suburban Homes on a cloudy summer day

The Tyranny of America's Homeowners Associations

In the last three decades HOAs have grown six-fold in the U.S. They now cover 20 percent of American homes, and stifle sustainability and expression through “one of the most significant privatizations of local government functions in history.”

February 20, 2013 - NRDC Switchboard

NYC's Growing Inequality Reflected in its Parks

While parks adjacent to affluent areas of New York City, such as Central Park or the High Line, are benefiting from record levels of private contributions, open spaces in poorer communities are struggling to fund routine maintenance.

February 19, 2013 - The New York Times

Infrastructure: By-Passing Tomorrow for Easy Implementation Today

We solve problems with over-engineered, anti-urban infrastructure schemes even though we have no plan for funding their future maintenance obligations. Howard Blackson uses San Diego as an example, and offers up some pedestrian-oriented solutions.

February 19, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Could a Federal Carbon Tax Put Money in Your Pocket?

A carbon tax based on Alaska's Permanent Fund, where tax revenues are returned to residents, is the model for legislation proposed by Senators Boxer (D-CA) and Sanders (I-VT) in response to Pres. Obama's call for Congress to act on climate change.

February 19, 2013 - San Francisco Chronicle

Is Shanghai the World's Most Futuristic City?

In his new book "A History of Future Cities", journalist Daniel Brook visits four cities on the edge of the future: St. Petersburg, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Dubai.

February 19, 2013 - Places Journal

Making Placemaking Fun

Looking for new ways to explain best placemaking practices? Today's guest Shaker, Amanda Thompson, has a novel take: dance. Complete with video!

February 17, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Will Other States Follow Wyoming's Lead In Raising Gas Tax?

Wyoming has gone where few states have gone recently - defied conventional wisdom that the 'gas tax is dead' and shown that it is very much alive with the Senate increasing the state excise tax by 71% (10-cents). Gov. Matt Mead is expected to sign.

February 17, 2013 - Casper Star-Tribune

With 'Promise Zone' Program, Obama Looks to Aid Distressed Neighborhoods

Many have commented that for a President with a strong urban background and constituency, Barack Obama has given scant attention to urban issues. Will a new program announced today change that narrative?

February 15, 2013 - The New York Times

With Major Bills Expiring, Can the House Find a Path Forward for Infrastructure Improvements?

Updating the U.S.'s aging infrastructure requires legislative common sense, says Rep. Bill Shuster.

February 15, 2013 - The Washington Post

Planning for People

Instead of planning cities around shiny, tomorrowland dreams of our own invention, how about planning them around something we can count on: the needs of people! Complete with a groovy, vintage planning video mash-up.

February 15, 2013 - PlaceShakers

Is Obama Set to Break Environmentalists' Hearts?

Environmentalists likely found much to cheer in President Obama's support for bold action on climate change during the State of the Union address. Was their optimism premature?

February 14, 2013 - Grist

Madison Square Garden and Penn Station In Need of a Divorce

The owners of Madison Square Garden are asking NYC "to renew — in perpetuity — the special permit that allows them to operate an arena atop Penn Station, the country’s busiest transit hub." Michael Kimmelman urges the city to deny their request.

February 14, 2013 - The New York Times

Economic Development and Planning: It's a Match!

Mitchell Silver, Raleigh City Planner and President of the APA, is on a mission to get planners to realize the importance of return on investment (ROI) in their projects. Raleigh is providing the testing ground for his arguments.

February 14, 2013 - Raleigh Public Record

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.

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.