Government / Politics

View looking down on construction of multiple buildings in San Francisco's Transbay Transit Center District

Housing Initiative Inches Closer to San Francisco Voters

Housing advocates hope a charter amendment that would streamline the development approval process will make it to the November ballot.

April 7, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Montgomery County

'Neighborhood Defenders' and the Suburban Status Quo

A tour de force of reporting documents the efforts of suburban Maryland residents to oppose new developments in their neighborhoods.

April 6, 2022 - DCist

Gas Pumps

Waging War on High Gas Prices

America is not at war, but that didn't stop President Joe Biden from calling the largest release of oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve that he authorized on March 31 to lower oil prices, a 'wartime bridge.'

April 6, 2022 - Washington Examiner

Wichita, Kansas, USA downtown skyline at dusk.

An Uncommon Success for Housing Vouchers in Wichita

While less than a fifth of housing vouchers are utilized nationwide, Wichita has distributed around 70 percent of the vouchers allocated to the city.

April 6, 2022 - Next City

Hillside home construction in the Porter Ranch neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

Study: How California Can Shift Away From Car-Oriented Development

While the state continues to rely on driving as a primary means of transportation, fighting climate change and the worsening housing crisis means implementing policies that encourage infill development, higher density, and public transit.

April 5, 2022 - OC Register

Columbus

Columbus Weighs Revisions to Outdated, Inequitable Zoning Code

The city is seeking ways to boost affordable housing development and encourage mixed-use, transit-oriented development.

April 5, 2022 - WOSU

Manhattan, New York City, New York

Opinion: Revise Zoning and Tax Codes To Support Adaptive Reuse of NYC Office Space

With office buildings facing an uncertain future in their current form, cities can tweak regulations to encourage innovative new uses.

April 5, 2022 - New York Daily News

Google Maps street view of intersection of Romaine and Serrano in Los Angeles, California

DIY Crosswalks Appear in Hollywood

A group claiming the city of Los Angeles fails to protect pedestrians is taking action on their own, painting a set of crosswalks at a busy residential intersection.

April 4, 2022 - NPR

Master-Planned Cittes

Why California Should Not, Cannot Solve Its Housing Crisis By Building New Cities

A recent essay advocates for the development of a new city in California to alleviate the state's housing crisis. The argument needs a few tweaks.

April 4, 2022 - Josh Stephens

Pacific Ocean

More SB 9 Drama: L.A. County Cities Sue California

Four Southern California cities are calling SB9 unconstitutional in the fight to retain local control over zoning codes and housing density.

April 4, 2022 - Times of San Diego

Energy Use

U.S. to Help European Union Achieve Energy Security

President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Brussels the formation of a joint task force to help the European Union reduce dependence on Russian energy in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

April 3, 2022 - Euractiv

Texas Wind

Renewable Energy as a Political Issue

Texas leads the country in wind energy production, but it, and other conservative states, continue to resist efforts to promote the switch to renewables.

April 3, 2022 - The Atlantic

Detroit Public Transit

Michigan Bill To Inject Nearly $5 Billion in Infrastructure, Housing

A bill signed by the state's governor, Gretchen Whitmer, allocates billions in federal and state funding to water quality, roads and dams, broadband, and other infrastructure projects.

April 1, 2022 - Detroit Free Press

Street view in downtown Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville Weighs Zoning Reform Proposal

The northern Florida city could follow others in removing barriers to building accessory dwelling units and multifamily buildings in neighborhoods currently zoned for single-family homes. Some local residents oppose the plan.

April 1, 2022 - The Gainesville Sun

Silicon Valley

How Rent Control Helped Create East Palo Alto

The story of East Palo Alto’s incorporation is one marked by great contention among local stakeholders, but also provides valuable lessons for organizers in forging and mobilizing local coalitions.

March 31, 2022 - Shelterforce Magazine

Apartment renter

California's Extended Tenant Protections a Mixed Bag

While state lawmakers rush to pass extended eviction protection for struggling Californians, tenant advocates say the new law could nullify local rent relief initiatives and exclude tenants who miss the application deadline.

March 30, 2022 - CALmatters

 The Young Apartments — 1621 South Grand Avenue, at the southern end of Downtown Los Angeles.

California Not Creating Affordable Housing Quickly Enough, Audit Finds

The audit points to inefficiencies in the state's process for identifying and using surplus properties to create affordable housing.

March 30, 2022 - San Francisco Chronicle

Australia Hotel

Assessing California's Homekey Program

The innovative housing program launched during the pandemic has made a significant difference for unhoused individuals, but long-term support remains underfunded.

March 25, 2022 - Terner Center for Housing Innovation

Housing Development

The Political Compass of Housing and Urbanism

The "political compass" idea can easily be applied to explain differing philosophies about urban development.

March 25, 2022 - Michael Lewyn

View from the summit of Hazard Peak in Montana de Oro State Park, San Luis Obispo County, California

Chumash Tribe Opposes Offshore Wind in Proposed Marine Sanctuary

Environmentalists decry the proposed wind farm as harmful to the fragile ecosystem of the Central California coast.

March 24, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Top Books

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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.