Government / Politics
City of Vernon Escapes Disincorporation
A bill to forcibly disband the tiny city of Vernon, California and incorporate it into Los Angeles County failed to pass earlier this week on concerns that it would economically weaken the county.
China Cracking Down on Rural Migrants
As millions of rural poor move into Chinese cities, the country's legal residency system is making life difficult for the illegal rural migrants.
Inside Philadelphia's New Water Management System
This infographic explains the new green techniques that will revise the way Philadelphia catches and processes stormwater.
Renovation Coming to Long-Troubled Harlem Tenements
Neglected for decades, a group of tenement buildings in New York City are set to be renovated to provide a new source of affordable housing.
New Gas Tax Legislation Proposed For CA MPOs
Unlike a state gas tax, SB 791 calls for regional planning agencies to prepare a measure to go before voters in their jurisdiction that would place a new fee on fuel to improve mobility, called a "regional congestion reduction charge".
Trying to Tackle Mobility Issues in South Africa
New government efforts in South Africa are trying to improve mobility for those who rely on public transportation, walking and biking.
Seattle's South Lake Union a Jobs Bonanza
When city leaders proposed redeveloping the South Lake Union area of Seattle, they made big promises for job growth. Just a few years in, their expectations have already been exceeded.
Cleveland's Land Bank Fights Blight of Foreclosures
With a high rate of foreclosure, Cleveland instituted a land bank to rein in rampant vacancies. After two years, the program has made some headway.
California Cities Hoping Projects Lure Teams and Development
Cities across California are proposing new stadium projects in hopes of luring football teams and economic growth as a result of their new megadevelopments.
Tea Party Creates Headaches For Planners
Tea Party activists have spoken out at regional planning meetings in California to protest what some consider conspiratorial plans to crush civil liberties under the guise of smart growth.
Extreme Makeover: Housing Policies Edition
As consumer real estate debt surpasses $9 trillion, TIME magazine examines four radical proposals that top policymakers and economists think will help turn things around.
Is "Nuisance Abatement Team" a Legitimate Use of Police Power?
In Antelope Valley, Calif., questionable code enforcement practices encroach the Fifth Amendment taking clause while the obfuscation of facts by public officials mars the transparent aspect of the planning process.
CA Air Board Sticks With Cap & Trade
The CA Air Board reaffirmed their decision to stick with the cap and trade approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions rather than an alternative mechanism such as a carbon fee - a decision that did not please the environmental justice litigants.
Lending Program Could Replace National Infrastructure Bank
Obama supports Boxer's 2-year transportation reauthorization bill over Mica's 6-year bill. However, both bills greatly increase funding for the Transportation Infrastructure and Innovative Finance Act.
Airport Redesign Brings New Park to Berlin
Plans are moving ahead to convert Berlin's Tempelhof airfield into the city's newest park.
Drugs and Economic Success in El Paso
El Paso is seen as one of the more successful mid-sized cities in the U.S. But as this op-ed from Domus explores, the fuel behind that success is the drug trafficking that has plagued Mexico and its border with the U.S.
Yacht Parking for Boat Race Takes Too Much from San Francisco
As San Francisco prepares to host the 2013 America's Cup regatta, plans to use parts of the city's scenic waterfront for spectators' yacht parking edge too far into the public realm, according to this piece from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Seattle Land Use Code Book Review: Do It Over
Roger Valdez set out to read and review the entire land use code of the city of Seattle. Now that he's done, he says it's time to rewrite the whole thing.
The Boon in British Cycling
A new report from the London School of Economics looks at the “cycling economy” that is taking the United Kingdom by storm and the economic benefits generated by individual cyclists.
Creating A Silicon Valley in Russia
Officials in Russia are hoping to create their own version of Silicon Valley by luring tech companies to the Skolkovo innovation hub.
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