Government / Politics
"There's No Democrat or Republican Way to Pick Up Garbage"
Minneapolis knows it will never win any beauty contests, or become a tourist destination. But city leaders know what makes the city great: it works.
LA Street Slips Into The Pacific
Heavy rains Sunday afternoon exacerbated a subsiding roadway in the L.A. suburb of San Pedro, leaving gaping holes and exposing plumbing and other infrastructure housed beneath the street.
Mongolia Constructs Glacier To Cool Capital
The Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator will begin construction this winter of an artificial glacier to cool the city next summer and provide melt water for drinking and irrigation.
Can Electric Cars Help Automakers Reach 55 MPG?
Consumers still have "range anxiety", the fear that electric cars won't get them to and from their destinations on one charge. NPR looks at the attitudes that are still keeping people from investing in electric vehicles.
Top 10 Books - 2012
Planetizen’s tenth annual list of the best books in urban planning, design and development ranges from a crowdsourced compendium of ideas for upgrading New York City's built environment to a personal report from the streets of Karachi.
Does Living in a Poor Neighborhood Harm Your Health?
A study conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in the 1990s found that living in poor neighborhoods can actually hurt your health.
How Much Landmarking is Too Much?
Amanda Fung reports on NYC Landmarks chair Robert Tierney's legacy, who has preserved more districts than any other in his role. Was this the only way to preserve architecture and economic value of places, as he asserts?
As Congress Rejects Transportation Funding, Voters Embrace It
Ryan Holeywell reports that Congress and the Obama Administration are set against gas taxes, even as voters across the country are approving them to fund transportation and transit projects.
Zoning for Apartheid
Lisa Findley & Liz Ogbu explain how architecture and urban planning were critical to apartheid in South Africa and how Le Corbusier and Ebenezer Howard influenced the racial segregation practice.
Congressional High Speed Rail Funding To Cease
In an unusual showing of agreement by both houses, it would appear that Congress will terminate funding for HSR in a bill that authorizes funding for the transportation department next year. The House hears the bill Nov. 17; Senate the next day.
The 20 Dirtiest Cities in the U.S.
California has 7 of the 20 cities with the poorest air quality, according to a list complied by Forbes. Bakersfield, which has 60 days of unhealthy air a year, takes the top spot for its hot and dusty weather and proximity to oil fields.
'Burbs Don't "Support the Vision" for Tech Company
Lured by state and potentially city incentives, one high-tech headquarters is ditching its current suburban location for a spot in downtown Kansas City. Is a resurgence afoot? Kevin Collison reports.
Planning's Limits and Strengths Identified at NYC Zoning Conference
Though held in recognition of zoning's 50th anniversary, the conference details future social, economic, and environmental challenges. Raymond Li reports on both the positive and negative points of discussion brought up on Tuesday.
High Speed Rail Authority Hit With New Suit
Days after the CA HSR Authority was dealt a serious setback over its environmental analysis for the San Jose to SF segment, a new suit has been filed by Kings County. Construction must begin in the Central Valley next year to retain fed' funding.
Manhattan Bus Terminal Tower Plans Nixed...Again
For the third time, a deal between Vornado Realty Trust, its Chinese investment partner, and the Port Authority has fallen through to develop a 40-story office tower atop the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan.
Senate Approves Federal Funding for NJ Rail Tunnel
Despite cancelling the ARC Tunnel project last year, New Jersey may build an alternative tunnel using U.S. Senate funding.
Companies Use CEQA as a Weapon
When a student housing firm faced competition in the form of a proposed new building at USC, it filed a lawsuit against them using CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act). Then they sued the developer's other projects too.
Setback for HSR in San Jose to San Francisco Environmental Analysis
Three neighboring Peninsula cities scored a major victory in court by forcing the CA High Speed Rail Authority to reopen and revise the environmental document for the San Jose to San Francisco segment that they had hoped was finally completed.
Boston Area Cities Receive Smart Growth Funding
Each of the cities just north of Boston will use its federal funds however it sees fit to boost smart growth principles and local economic development.
Gov Reafirms Faith In Controversial CA High Speed Rail Project
The cost of CA's high speed rail system has doubled, but Gov. Brown has shown his faith in the authority in charge of the 800-mile system by asking the legislature, many of whom oppose HSR, to release bond funds the voters approved three years ago.
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
Tyler Technologies
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
