Government / Politics

LA County Supervisors Propose Pavement Parcel Tax

Facing federal regulatory action for violating Clean Water Act standards, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors will consider a parcel tax weighted towards a property's amount of impervious pavement to fund programs to reduce stormwater pollution.

January 16, 2013 - The California Report

Rich Seedlings for the Urban Revolution

Over the next few decades, half of global economic growth is predicted to come from the slums of developing world cities. Gaia Vince believes the key to the coming urban revolution is how these shantytowns evolve.

January 16, 2013 - BBC

Santa Barbara sidewalk

How Walkable Communities are Key to Modern Geopolitics

The "great global project" of this century, says Patrick Doherty, is how to "accommodate 3 billion additional middle-class aspirants in two short decades." In a bold essay, he outlines how the U.S. must lead the global transition to sustainability.

January 15, 2013 - Foreign Policy

A Plea to Finance the National Housing Trust Fund

"[A]ffordable housing remains one of America’s most vexing problems," states an editorial published last weekend in The Times. To help address this problem, the editors challenge the new Congress to finally finance the National Housing Trust Fund.

January 15, 2013 - The New York Times

Hold off on Zipcar’s Eulogy: Planners are Key to Carsharing’s Next Act

The recent purchase of Zipcar by Avis is just the latest sign that carsharing is in a period of flux. As shared-mobility evolves in the next few years, planners can play a crucial role in ensuring that the industry serves those in need of alternatives to car ownership, generates revenues for municipalities, integrates with public transportation, and delivers wider benefits.

January 14, 2013 - Scott Le Vine

Developer Dreams of Turning Detroit Park Into Free Market Utopia

A suburban Detroit developer is promoting an alternative vision for Detroit's Belle Isle: transforming the island park into a commonwealth free market utopia for the elite.

January 14, 2013 - The Detroit News

L.A. Mayoral Candidates Tackle City's Housing Troubles

At a forum held last week, candidates to become L.A.'s next mayor outlined their approaches to tackling the city's most daunting housing challenges - from homelessness to the need for more affordable housing.

January 14, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Paying by the Mile - Not a Question of "If" but "When and by How Much"

Justin Hyde is firmly in the camp that 'Vehicle-Miles-Traveled' (VMT) fees are coming - and the release of a GAO report last month may support that contention. Privacy concerns from GPS and collection costs are challenges that were considered.

January 14, 2013 - Motoramic (Yahoo! Autos blog)

VA Governor's 'Bold' Plan to Eliminate the Gas Tax

Why not increase the sales tax on all goods, eliminate the state gas tax, and then redirect general fund money from paying for public education, safety, parks, etc. to roads?

January 11, 2013 - The Washington Post

Fiscal Cliff Deal Levels Tax Playing Field for Transit Riders

While the fiscal cliff talks did not increase the gas tax as some transportation analysts had hoped, it did increase a benefit that many commuters who ride public transit will appreciate, particularly those whose monthly expenses total $240.

January 10, 2013 - Sierra Club Compass

Tax Parking to Fund Public Transit?

In Massachusetts, transportation funding is one of the key issues to be addressed by the state legislature this year. James Aloisi, former Transportation Secretary, offers an inventive way to fund Transit Improvement Districts.

January 10, 2013 - Governing

Feds Expand Criteria for Funding Transit Projects

Angie Schmitt delivers news that will bring some post-holiday cheer to transit and smart growth advocates. The Federal Transit Administration has revised the criteria by which it judges projects vying for funds from two popular programs.

January 9, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Swaying Jaywalkers with Humor

When it comes to enforcing laws like jaywalking, strictly imposed tickets and fines motivate people to change their behavior. John Cichowski discusses whether light-hearted, even humorous, suggestions can be as effective as heavy-handed prosecution.

January 9, 2013 - NorthJersey.com

Appraising the Federal Impact on the Shape of America's Communities

A new report released by Smart Growth America evaluates the federal government's influence on America's real estate sector. With $450 billion in subsidies per year, it's clear "the communities we’ve constructed weren’t built on market demand alone."

January 8, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

The Story Behind the Best Bike-Share Program in the U.S.

Tom Vanderbilt discusses the development of D.C.'s Capital Bikeshare program - the nation’s largest, most successful bike-share service - which "was essentially born late one night, two decades ago, in a library."

January 8, 2013 - Jonathan Nettler

Iran's Annual Pollution Peril

Cold air and windless days have trapped the fumes from millions of cars and hundreds of old factories in Tehran. The air pollution has reached such high levels that officials are advising residents to remain indoors and to avoid downtown areas.

January 8, 2013 - The New York Times

After 150 Years of Service, What's the Prognosis for London's Tube?

Dave Hill reflects on the history and outlook for the world's first underground train. He beckons Londoners to do the same, and to contemplate on how to best help the London Underground flourish in the future.

January 7, 2013 - The Guardian

Should L.A. Pursue Massive Street Repair Bond?

Two L.A. City Council members have floated an ambitious proposal to fund the city's backlog of needed road repairs. At a time when the city is expanding transit, and seeking other tax hikes, should $3 billion in street repairs be a top priority?

January 7, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Emerging Street Life of So Cal's San Fernando Valley Threatened

L.A. Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne reports on the changing nature of Lankershim Blvd., which appears to be at a crossroads between integrating transit into a multi-modal future or turning to outdated planning strategies.

January 6, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Onerous Regulations Keep Food Trucks from Feeding Chicagoans

The difficulties food truck operators have encountered in trying to set up shop in Chicago provides a parable for how well meaning, but slow moving and cumbersome, public agencies can get in the way of their city's best interests.

January 5, 2013 - Chicago Tribune

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