Government / Politics

Woman in Bike Lane, Toronto, Canada

Pittsburgh Asks Cyclists, Drivers and Pedestrians to Play Nice Together

Looking at public commentary following a spate of recent bicyclist accidents and incidents, Annie Siebert considers some of issues that Pittsburghers face as drivers, cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road.

November 23, 2012 - The Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Carbon Emissions Now Have a Price - in California

It's official - for large industrial sources in California, the cost for emitting a ton of carbon dioxide or equivalent is $10.09 - nine cents above the minimum price set by the Air Board. That was the price paid at the first auction on Nov. 14.

November 21, 2012 - San Jose Mercury News

Bring Your Own Bag in Delhi

Every year, Delhi produces 250,000 tons of plastic waste. Starting on November 23, the city government "will begin enforcing a ban on the manufacture, import, sale, storage and use of plastic bags, sheets, films or tubs," reports Raksha Kumar.

November 21, 2012 - The New York Times

President Obama, Vice President Biden, & Ray LaHood

Leave Transit Projects to Transit Experts, Not Politicians

Stephen Smith sheds light on the problems of leadership holding back Obama's dream of high-speed rail.

November 21, 2012 - Bloomberg

How Can Architects Help in Disaster Relief?

Using post-Sandy New York as a case study, C.J. Hughes looks at the extent to which architects can be helpful in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster.

November 21, 2012 - Architizer

Selling the Importance of Street Vending

In the latest entry in a series on informal urban livelihoods, Sally Roever of WIEGO provides insight into how planners can better understand, acknowledge and manage street vending through the development of appropriate policies and best practices.

November 20, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

With a Little Help From Their Dutch Friends, Could New York Become New Amsterdam?

“In recent days, the Netherlands’ peerless expertise and centuries of experience in battling water have been widely hailed in the United States as offering lessons" for New York and for other cities alike, writes Andrew Higgins.

November 20, 2012 - The New York Times

'Climate Dividend' Proposed for California Utility Customers

California residential utility customers will receive a 'climate dividend', about $30 twice a year as part of the nation's first comprehensive 'cap & trade' program if the CA Public Utility Commission accepts a staff proposal at its Dec. 20 meeting,

November 20, 2012 - San Francisco Chronicle

Challenging the Rush to Rebuild

Justin Gillis outlines some harsh criticisms of disaster response efforts that rebuild without rethinking – and how much it's costing taxpayers across the country.

November 20, 2012 - The New York Times

L.A. Moves to Curb Parking's 'Wild West'

Ever wonder what happens to your car after you hand it to a valet? You probably don't want to know the answer. A new ordinance to be considered by L.A.'s City Council may finally rein in "the wild, wild West at our curbs."

November 19, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Dollar Bills

Fiscal Cliff Could Cripple American Cities

The nation's mayors are warning that looming budget cuts and tax hikes mandated by the federal sequestration process represent “perhaps the biggest threat to our metro economies.” More than 100,000 families may be forced out of their homes.

November 19, 2012 - Time

Could Federal Guidance Make Public-Private Partnerships Easier?

Matt Bevilacqua takes a look at a new policy proposal that could pool expertise to help municipalities better coordinate public-private partnerships, "supporting bottom-up infrastructure investment" from the top down.

November 19, 2012 - Next American City

Disgruntled Developers and Residents Have Vancouver Planning Chief Talking Transparency

Just two months into his job as Vancouver's Chief Planner, Brian Jackson is responding to a growing backlash from developers and residents unhappy about an opaque system for determining and implementing community benefits.

November 19, 2012 - The Globe and Mail

Handicapping the Hunt for the Next Transportation Secretary

Ryan Holeywell looks at the contenders to replace Ray LaHood as Obama's Secretary of Transportation. Although his departure has not been officially announced, LaHood has previously signaled that he would leave after the president's first term.

November 17, 2012 - Governing

CA HSR Passes Crucial Court Test In Central Valley

Writing from Madera in the Central Valley, the Mercury News transportation reporter explores the local opposition to the largest public works project in the nation. Farmers wanted an injunction placed on the CA High Speed Rail Authority to halt work.

November 17, 2012 - San Jose Mercury News

Spiral Shops

Are Planners the Victims of a Dastardly Mind-Control Plot?

If you've ever led a public planning process you may be complicit in perpetuating a diabolical conspiracy to coerce Americans into accepting "a United Nations-run communist dictatorship in which suburbanites will be forcibly relocated to cities."

November 16, 2012 - Mother Jones

Chinese Government Responds to Growing NIMBYism

For the last 30 years, China has led the world in economic growth at a hefty environmental price. Widespread protests have prompted the cabinet of China to mandate a "social risk assessment" for industrial projects, reports Keith Bradsher.

November 16, 2012 - The New York Times

California Auctions First Carbon Credits; Chamber of Commerce Sues

California's climate law reached a milestone on Nov. 14 when the state auctioned its first carbon credits in the 'Cap & Trade' provision of the bill. But that didn't stop the CA Chamber of Commerce from filing suit against this provision of the law.

November 15, 2012 - The Sacramento Bee - Business

Small Cities Get Smart

A new web-based software, described as a "Google Analytics for local governments," allows smaller cities to get involved in the Gov 2.0 revolution, reports Ariel Schwartz.

November 15, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

The Shaky Foundation Underlying CA's New Long-Range Regional Plans

Wendell Cox rebuts the work of Arthur C. Nelson, who has projected CA as over-supplied with detached housing and in demand of small lot and multi-unit housing. Nelson's work has been the basis of long-range regional planning throughout the state.

November 14, 2012 - New Geography

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.