Government / Politics

Cutting Airport Infrastructure to Cut Flyers' Emissions

British officials are looking to help their efforts to curb carbon emissions by capping growth on airport runways that they say encourage "binge flying".

July 4, 2010 - The New York Times

Auto Dependence Is Central To Asthma Epidemic

Arlington, TX Mayor Robert Chuck is also a physician, acutely aware of the effects of ozone air pollution in his city. In this Q & A with Grist's Jonathan Hiskes, he describes ozone's causes and effects and his role as mayor.

July 4, 2010 - Daily Grist

The Food Element of Sustainability in Baltimore

The City of Baltimore has appointed a new "food czar" to look at food health and access issues in the city. In the broader senses, though, officials in the city look at this new position as a part of their sustainability planning.

July 3, 2010 - Good

Stumbling Toward a Smart Grid

The Infrastructurist reports on a recent panel about smart grid technology -- and its awkward timing right after a major smart grid plan was shot down by the Maryland Public Service Commission.

July 1, 2010 - The Infrastructurist

The Transformation Of DOT Under LaHood

Few expected this Republican in the Obama cabinet to cause such a stir. Yet, from his high speed rail advocacy to campaigning for road safety ("just say no to texting") to pushing livable communities, 64-year-old Ray LaHood has changed D.O.T.

July 1, 2010 - The Washington Post: Breaking News Blog

Qatar's Boom Looks Beyond World Cup

As Qatar plans to spend billions on infrastructure and stadia ahead of its hosting of the 2022 World Cup, locals are hopeful that plans will focus on longer-term impacts.

July 1, 2010 - Reuters

L.A. Planning Director Resigns

Los Angeles Planning Director Gail Goldberg has announced her resignation.

July 1, 2010 - The Architect's Newspaper

Detroit to Close 77 City Parks

The City of Detroit has announced plans to close 77 city parks this summer in an effort to cut costs.

July 1, 2010 - The Detroit Free Press

California's Troubles Not the Fault of Prop 13

This article from City Journal suggests that California's much-reviled Proposition 13 limits on increases in property tax is not at fault for the state's crippling fiscal situation.

June 30, 2010 - City Journal

Walking and Biking on the Rise

This infographic from GOOD shows how walking and cycling have grown in America -- and how federal funding for bike and pedestrian projects have steadily increased.

June 30, 2010 - Good

London's Eyes on Citywide Wi-Fi

London Mayor Boris Johnson wants his entire city wired with wi-fi networks -- even the tube.

June 30, 2010 - Tech Watch

Bright Times Ahead for Amtrak

Amtrak Chief Joseph Boardman says now is a good time for the much-troubled national rail system. Support from the federal government is helping the system grow and improve, according to this interview.

June 30, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Lifting Parking Requirements

As part of its series looking at improving transportation in the U.S., Slate delves into the intricacies of parking requirements and how they impact transportation and traffic in cities.

June 29, 2010 - Slate

Jan Gehl's Ten Principals For Liveability

Kaid Benfield introduces Jan Gehl and Walter Hook's principals to promote "environmentally sustainable and socially equitable transportation worldwide."

June 28, 2010 - Sustainable Cities Colletive

Baltimore Points The Way Forward For Urban Renewal

Neal Peirce describes how Baltimore's first mixed income neighborhood since WWII is taking shape on the east side just north of the Johns Hopkins campus.

June 28, 2010 - Citiwire

Illegal NYC Commuter Vans Could Become Legitimate

Private transit in the form of livery vans are now sanctioned as part of a year long pilot pushed by Mayor Bloomberg that will compete with public bus and taxi for areas not well-served by the city's extensive, but hard-hit transit network.

June 28, 2010 - The New York Times - N.Y. / Region

Battle Over Closure of Paris Expressways

A political battle is brewing in Paris, where the city's mayor wants to close off sections of roadway along the River Seine, a move that President Nicholas Sarkozy is against.

June 28, 2010 - The New York Times

Wal-Mart Gains Foothold In Lucrative Urban Market

Wal-Mart is succeeding in convincing Chicago politicians that it will create sustainable "employment and revenue for the city." The predominantly suburban-based supercenter chain is trying to move into denser urban areas.

June 28, 2010 - New York Times

CalTrans Shells Out $17 Million to Rename Pasadena Freeway

The first freeway in California is being renamed back to its original designation, the 'Arroyo Seco Parkway.' Known more recently as simply 'the 110,' it was considered a "marvel of engineering," when construction began in 1938.

June 27, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

Reshuffle at L.A. Planning Department

With fewer staff members to cover the workload, L.A. is redefining planners' roles, including a change that will make planners more community-focused and less centralized.

June 27, 2010 - The Planning Report

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

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.