Government / Politics

Bus-Only Lane Proposal Meets Opposition in L.A.

Officials in Los Angeles are considering a plan to install a bus-only lane on the region's most used commuter route. But neighbors along a small segment of the road are fighting the proposal.

November 30, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Madison May Be Left Out of Midwest High Speed Rail Plans

The fate of a proposed high speed rail corridor between Chicago and Milwaukee remains uncertain, but if plans do go ahead, Madison may be left out.

November 30, 2010 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Los Angeles' Transit Rebirth

Los Angeles is engaged in one of the most massive rail building schemes of any American city since NYC extended its subways last century, however, LA's is a mixture of light and heavy rail, and may just be Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa's legacy.

November 26, 2010 - The New York Times - U.S.

The Anti-Robert Moses

Esquire profiles New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, highlighting her impact on the city's public spaces.

November 26, 2010 - Esquire

A Bike Sharing System, But For Whom?

WNYC talks with New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan about the city's planned bicycle sharing system about how it will work and who it's intended to serve.

November 26, 2010 - Transportation Nation

Changing Federal Politics, But Potential at State and Metro Levels

In this episode of Next American City's podcast, the Brookings Institution's Bruce Katz discusses the future of federal policy as the country's political makeup changes after the mid-term elections.

November 25, 2010 - Next American City

Mayors Call 'Dangerous Cities' List a Turkey

The annual list of America's "Most Dangerous Cities" has prompted complaints from the U.S. Conference of Mayors -- a group typically dissatisfied with the list.

November 25, 2010 - SF Appeal

New York Sets Sights on Bike Sharing in 2012

New York City is hoping to install a citywide bike sharing program with at least 10,000 bikes. The system could open by Spring 2012.

November 25, 2010 - The New York Times

GOP Moves to Rescind Stimulus Funding for High-Speed Rail

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Rescission Act was introduced by House Republicans to return $12 billion in unspent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, aka stimulus funds, targeting the nation's largest public works project, CA HSR.

November 24, 2010 - San Mateo County Times via Mercury News

TIGER Funding Spurs Transit Plaza and Park in Philadelphia

Flush with federal grants, a new transit plaza and park is set to pop up in Philadelphia.

November 24, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Effort to Streamline Development Process Underway in L.A.

Officials in Los Angeles are trying to streamline the process of getting projects permitted and approved -- an effort that could rapidly increase the amount of time it takes to develop in the city.

November 23, 2010 - LA Downtown News

Looking at Urban Design Through a Public Health Lens

New York City's Health Commissioner has urban design in his sights as he seeks to improve public health in the city.

November 23, 2010 - Transportation Nation

Counting the Costs of California's Prop. 26

In California, passage of Proposition 26 has raised the question of whether fees used for public services will be jeopardized at the local level. Some argue most fees will be unaffected, but others could take a hit.

November 23, 2010 - The Sacramento Bee

Local Governments Struggle Even As Private Sector Recovers

Though private sector employment shows signs of recovery, the National League of American Cities predicts 500,000 municipal workers will lose their jobs over the current and coming fiscal years. The Economist considers solutions.

November 23, 2010 - The Economist

Tea Partiers Target Smart Growth "Conspiracy"

Mother Jones magazine reports on how tea party hostility towards "big government" is now being levelled at Agenda 21 and other smart growth initiatives, in the belief that they are part of an international conspiracy.

November 22, 2010 - Mother Jones

Top 10 Books - 2011

Planetizen is pleased to release its ninth annual list of the ten best books in urban planning, design and development published in 2010. This year's selection includes some big names, some big ideas -- and a book called "Toilet."

November 22, 2010 - Abhijeet Chavan

Mayor Seeks Funds for City From Unlikely Source

The mayor of Mt. Clemens, Michigan is turning to an unlikely source to help pay for stretched city services -- local non-profits. With 42% of city property tax exempt, Mayor Dempsey is asking non-profits to pay as if they were taxed.

November 22, 2010 - Detroit Free Press

NYC ARC Alternative Proposed: Extend The Subway!

Details are now just emerging about a proposal from NYC Mayor Bloomberg to further extend the IRT #7 line from the West Side station by a planned, massive new development, Hudson Yards. Cheaper than a commuter rail tunnel, it would serve NJ Transit.

November 22, 2010 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Watershed States

This post from GOOD points to an old map of the Western U.S. in which state lines are redrawn based on the locations of watersheds.

November 21, 2010 - Good

High Speed Rail Versus Historic Tree

A historic tree near the campus of Stanford University is the centerpiece of a fight to redirect California's planned high speed rail project.

November 21, 2010 - Peninsula Press

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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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.