Government / Politics
New York Fails to Document Parks Inequality
A law passed unanimously by New York's City Council just four years ago requiring the Department of Parks and Recreation to document "how much money was flowing into different parks across the city" is being neglected, reveals Jacob Hodes.
Mileage Tax the Newest Attempt at Addressing Traffic Concerns
Eric Jaffe reports that taxing vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) is getting a closer look in cities across America. But will concerns over privacy and government competence scuttle a promising path to reducing congestion and increasing revenue?
Successor to CRA Takes Shape in L.A.
Carren Jao provides an update on efforts by the City of Los Angeles to replace its Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), which was dissolved by state mandate earlier this year.
Complete Streets Gaining Speed
A new report details the growing adoption of Complete Streets policies in locales across the United States, despite the removal of a Complete Streets provision from the recent federal transportation bill.
Why Does Transit Cost So Much to Build in the U.S.?
With Manhattan's new Second Avenue subway expected to cost five times as much as comparable projects in Europe and Asia, Stephen Smith looks to transit-construction practices from abroad for lessons on how to contain costs in America.
New Initiative Seeks to Address L.A. Parks Disparity
Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa launched the city's "50 Parks Initiative," a public-private partnership that plans to add over 170 acres of new park space throughout the city's "park-poor population-dense" neighborhoods.
Does Frank Lloyd Wright Set the Wrong Tone for the GOP Convention?
With their stage design influenced by the architectural icon, Christopher Hawthorne looks at the baggage the GOP inherits by riding Frank Lloyd Wright's caped coattails.
Gov 2.0 Gets Boost from 'Peace Corps for Geeks'
The nonprofit Code for America (CfA) gets a laudatory write-up by Holly Finn in The Wall Street Journal for bringing transparency and innovation to local governments with stealth teams of "computer-savvy SEALs."
In Atlanta, Using Social Media for Code Compliance
Suffering from widespread blight from foreclosures and absentee owners, a new "unofficial" Facebook page lets Atlanta residents play code compliance officer.
Finding Mayor Bloomberg's Fingerprints on a Transformed New York
As the end of the Bloomberg Era in New York draws to a close, The Architect's Newspaper goes agency by agency exploring how the Mayor has steered the forces of NYC real estate to meet goals for a cleaner, greener, and more equitable city.
Chinese City Gets Serious About Traffic Enforcement . . . Maybe a Little Too Serious
A program that allows undercover inspectors to keep 80 percent of any fines proves (un)remarkably effective.
Court of Appeals Deals Second Blow to EPA on Clean Air Regs
For the second time, a court has thrown out EPA efforts to address pollution from power plants in 'clean-air' states that cause pollution downwind. This time, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule was the victim.
What is the World's Most Vulnerable City to Flooding?
Based on a range of data, including 19 different components, a new study examining cities located on river deltas has determined that Shanghai is the most vulnerable to major flooding.
Majority of New Yorkers Oppose City's Proposed Soda Ban
A new New York Times poll finds that a majority of New York City residents oppose Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s proposed ban on sugary drinks, adding fuel to the debate.
Downtown Pittsburgh Sees Value in Going Green
Sixty-one of downtown Pittsburgh's largest property owners commit to cutting energy, water and transportation consumption by 50% over the next 18 years.
Could Court Ruling Cause Extreme Service Cuts to NYC Transit?
This week, a New York Supreme Court Justice declared unconstitutional a tax covering a 12-county area including the city of New York and its surrounding suburbs, creating a $1.26 billion hole in this year's MTA budget.
Open Data Brings Power to the People
As the ways in which cities across the U.S. are utilizing the web continues to increase, open data is changing the way citizens interact with their government. Philadelphia is one city using information to level the power playing field.
America's Best Small Cities
Money Magazine lists the top 20 best 'small cities' (pop. 50,000 to 300,000). Located in all corners of the U.S., these cities offer small town charm with big city amenities.
Will 2012 be the Year of CEQA Reform in California?
If two major business and labor groups have their way, the 1970 CA Environmental Quality Act will be 'modernized', to quote the CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. The CA Alliance for Jobs has joined SVLG, as has a top aide of the governor.
Suburban Canada Dreams of Density
As one of North America's largest suburbs, Mississauga is joining some of its neighbors in the Greater Toronto Area in planning an unprecedented effort to replace its suburban roots with something more urban.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
