Government / Politics
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Political Compass of Housing and Urbanism
The "political compass" idea can easily be applied to explain differing philosophies about urban development.
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.
Sanctioning Russian Energy Exports
European leaders chose not to join the U.S. in an embargo of Russian energy products largely because of dependence on natural gas. Similarly, the world needs the 11% of crude oil that Russia exports. What can the U.S. do to lessen this dependence?
Repeat Reckless Drivers Could Lose Their Vehicles in Milwaukee
An ordinance declaring repeat reckless driving a public nuisance has been delayed by the City Attorney's Office. The novel ordinance has support from the city's police and the Milwaukee Common Council.
Another Silicon Valley Town Tries To Sidestep State Density Law
Palo Alto could designate more than one hundred properties as historic in an attempt to prevent lot splitting permitted under a new state law designed to lightly increase residential density.
The Rise of the Megaregion
A new book outlines the benefits of public investment at the regional scale.
Making Homeownership Work Better
Programs that help households of color buy homes haven't made much of a dent in the racial wealth gap. But some strategies could generate better outcomes for buyers.
Lawmakers Question ARPA Spending
Cities and states say the American Rescue Plan Act has been crucial to keeping the lights on during the pandemic, but some Republican lawmakers denounce spending on projects unrelated to COVID relief.
Increased Homeownership Won’t Close the Racial Wealth Gap
Despite the hopes pinned on it, homeownership is still too affected by institutionalized racism at every turn to be an equalizer.
Easing the Burden of High Gas and Housing Costs for Low-Income Households
Low-income families suffer most from dramatic spikes in housing and transportation costs, but governments can soften the impact through a series of actions.
Federal Rules Let States Count More Road Deaths as 'Progress'
The majority of federal infrastructure funding is not tied to federal requirements, letting states set their own targets for road safety and improvements.
Cincinnati To Electrify Municipal Fleet by 2035
The city of Cincinnati will beef up its efforts to shift to renewable energy starting next week with electric police cars, fire trucks, and other city vehicles.
Opinion: California's Article 34 Drives Segregation and Cripples Affordable Housing. It's Time To Repeal It.
A little-known provision in California's state constitution enables exclusionary policies under the guise of local control.
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.
planning NEXT
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
