Government / Politics

Election 2012: The Demographic Time Bomb Explodes

Underlying President Obama's swamping the electoral college on election night were the demographic changes throughout the U.S. For the first time, Latinos voted in double-digits (10%). Republicans appear to have taken notice, but is it too late?

November 12, 2012 - First Read on NBC News

Less Plans on Paper, More Practical Thinking Needed for Mumbai

Every 20 years, the Municipal Corporation of Great Mumbai (MCGM) publishes a Development Plan. Kristen Teutonico argues that past and current plans have been too grand for implementation and that the City should focus more on smaller-scale projects.

November 11, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

Nightime view of San Diego skyline

Is Your City an Innovator or a Follower?

Howard Blackson walks through the planning layers of San Diego for a history lesson as well as a look to the Next Urbanism.

November 11, 2012 - PlaceShakers

Satellite PIcture of Hurricane Sandy

Will the Economics of Climate Change Alter the Politics?

After years of climate change denial by conservatives and muzzling by liberals, Superstorm Sandy made abundantly clear the economic costs of inaction. Will that be enough to spur political action?

November 10, 2012 - The New York Times

Democratic Donkey & Republican Elephant Logos

The Politics of Sidewalks

In the aftermath of the presidential election, an observation by the star statistician Nate Silver about the connection between sidewalks and voting patterns has been getting a lot of play. Robert Steuteville tries to depoliticize walkability.

November 10, 2012 - Better! Cities & Towns

Should New York Build Sea Barriers?

As NYC struggles to cope with the damage from Superstorm Sandy, officials and experts are revisiting the possibility of building, at great cost, a protective barrier around its coast.

November 10, 2012 - The New York Times

Can Obama Cure America's Housing Headache?

A series of seemingly intractable obstacles stand in the way of transforming the housing and mortgage markets to reduce government involvement. Peter Eavis asks if a second term president is exactly the force needed to overcome such obstacles.

November 9, 2012 - The New York Times

After Setback, L.A. Mayor Still Intent on Speeding Transit Projects

In the aftermath of the seemingly narrow defeat of his pet measure to speed up the expansion of L.A.'s transit infrastructure, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa remains unbowed in his attempts to accelerate his key initiative, writes Ari Bloomekatz.

November 9, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

Legalizing Green Design

Across America, arcane zoning regulations and building codes prevent some of the most promising sustainable techniques and technologies from being built. A project based in Oregon aims to make land use regulations friendlier for greener building.

November 9, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Election 2012: Energy Fallout

Pres. Obama was accused of 'waging a war on coal' - rightly or wrongly, and the fossil fuel industry pumped funds heavily into his opponent's campaign, while environmentalists backed the president. How will this affect federal energy policy?

November 9, 2012 - The Washington Post - Health & Science

How Traffic Data At Your Fingertips Can Create Smarter Cities

What do recent national politics have to do with transportation planning? For Sarah Goodyear, the connection is clear: it's about having access to good data for solving real-world problems.

November 9, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

NCPC to Study Relaxing D.C. Building Height Limits

In response to a formal request from Congress, the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has agreed to study potential changes to D.C.'s Height of Buildings Act of 1910, a step that could result in the eventual change of the controversial law.

November 8, 2012 - The Washington Post

Philadelphia Reconsiders Its Brand New Zoning Code

That didn't take long. A few short months after Philadelphia enacted the long-overdue replacement to its antiquated 1962 zoning code, the City Council is already considering changes to the document, including increasing parking requirements.

November 8, 2012 - philly.com

What Was Behind L.A.'s Rejection of its Transportation Ballot Measure?

Was not enough transit spending the culprit for the narrow rejection of Los Angeles County's Measure J initiative, which aimed to speed up construction of a host of the region's transit projects from 30 to 10 years? Damien Newton thinks so.

November 8, 2012 - LA.Streetsblog

Oberstar's Revenge

Former Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and chair of the House Transportation Committee was ousted by Chip Cravaack (R) in 2010, who took his seat on the committee and proceeded to gut Oberstar's goals. Cravaack was ousted by Rick Nolan (D), on Nov. 6.

November 8, 2012 - Streetsblog Capitol Hill

The iShack: Quick, But Sustainable, Fix for South Africa's Housing Crisis

In a project initiated by the Sustainability Institute, and backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, development experts are taking innovative steps to address South Africa’s housing shortage.

November 8, 2012 - The New York Times

Were Sandy's Winds Strong Enough to Propel Green Ballot Measures?

With the aftermath of Sandy fresh on voters' minds, and the debate about the causes and effects of climate change seemingly reinvigorated, Grist examines whether those forces translated into support for green initiatives across the country.

November 7, 2012 - Grist

President Obama

Proposals for Obama's Second Term

No sooner had the ink dried on the Times' "Obama's Night" headline, than planning advocates began offering suggestions for what the President should focus on in his second term. With an enduring split in Congress it's unclear what is achievable.

November 7, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

What Happens When You Build It, But They Never Come?

Forty-five miles southwest of the Twin Cities sits the exurb of New Prague, a town with state-of-the-art infrastructure but crushing debt. It’s an example of what happens when the “Ponzi scheme” underlying sprawl development comes crumbling down.

November 7, 2012 - Star Tribune

Boot Camp for Mayors: 20 Ideas to Fix America's Cities

As America's cities grow and expand, there's great opportunities--but there are also significant challenges. Twenty innovative metros are vying for $9 in grant money to address their city's greatest needs.

November 7, 2012 - ICIC

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.