Government / Politics
Stopping Sprawl, Slowing Emissions, Improving the Economy
A new report suggests that making policies in Canada to avoid urban sprawl development will reduce pollution and boost the economy.
Finding Safe Places For Homeless To Park
Venice Beach (City of LA) is the latest community to restrict overnight parking of vehicle-dwelling homeless residents, including those living in RVs. It's a growing problem, especially in areas with inviting climates and tolerant political attitude
Walled Communities in Beijing Fight Crime, Spark Controversy
Small enclaves of low-wage workers in Beijing have been walled off from their surroundings in an effort to reduce crime. The separating walls have become a local controversy.
HUD's Donovan on Transportation and Housing Costs
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan talks with PBS about the department's new approach of integrating transportation and housing policy.
Reducing Crime With Public Spaces in London
Officials in London are relying on the creation of 86 new public spaces throughout the city to cut down on criminal behavior.
New York City Given Power to Clean Up Brownfields
New York City has garnered new powers to institute cleanups on moderately contaminated sites, which could help revive hundreds of spots in the city that have sat empty or unused for years.
India Tries to Hide its Poor As Games Begin
As the Commonwealth Games get underway in New Delhi, India, locals are upset that officials have made efforts to hide slum areas from the view of visitors.
Millions in Affordable Housing Funds Misspent
Continuing its exposé of California redevelopment agencies, The L.A. Times uncovers that $700 million meant for affordable housing across the state was spent without a single unit being built.
Smart Growth Brain Trust
A new law in New York State requires state agencies to form smart growth advisory panels to determine whether proposed infrastructure projects meet smart-growth principles.
American Imperialism, Islands and Bird Droppings
A Columbia professor finds an obscure 1856 document that created the legal precedents that allowed the United States to seize and hold islands, and it all ties back to bird poop.
Secret Prisons in Suburbia
Earlier this year, The Nation uncovered that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holds people in 186 under-the-radar "subfield offices," which the less generous might call "secret immigration detention centers."
Toronto Institutes Green Roofs With City Hall Example
Last year Toronto became the first North American city to mandate green roofs on all new residential, commercial and institutional buildings larger than 21,500 square feet. Now it has created a 118,000 square foot example on top of the City Hall.
USA Today Takes Survey On Whether To Invest in HSR
USA Today's traveler reporter asks, "Should the U.S. invest in High-Speed Rail?" (readers check their answer and results are available). He cites the usual critics but also notes the challenges it must face in order to build a successful line.
Operational Issues Keeping Residents Out of Olympic Housing in Vancouver
Housing created for the Olympic Village in Vancouver was intended to be reused after the 2010 event as affordable housing. But the province hasn't been able to find an operator. Now the city wants to move ahead without the province's help.
Small But Important Steps in Amtrak's High Speed Rail Plan
Amtrak has unveiled a $117 billion plan to build and increase high speed rail in the U.S.
Dubai Calms Down
After nearly collapsing under the pressure of a free-wheeling building boom, Dubai is on the rebound. A new internal accounting effort is trying to explore what went wrong and how to avoid those mistakes in the future.
Looking for Livability in Congress
Grist talks with Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon about congressional efforts to integrate ideas of livability into communities and policy.
New Urbanism = Bars Closing Early?
Coverage of a Jefferson Parish Council meeting about zoning changes to the Fat City neighborhood to make it a mixed-use community equate New Urbanism with earlier closing times for local bars.
The Fractiousness of Bay Area Transit
From outside, it can appear that the San Francisco Bay Area is very good at transit. But when you look deeper, you'll see that the system of regional governance makes change and improvements for commuters nearly impossible, says Yonah Freemark.
Best Videos About Urban Planning
Democrablog offers this list of 50 videos on YouTube that focus on urban planning and related issues.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
