Government / Politics
Property Tax Revenue Downturn Hurting Cities
The economic recession is lightening up in some areas, but cities and municipalities will continue to struggle with the downturn in the economy for years, mainly because of falling property tax revenues.
Seattle Upgrading its Stormwater System to Prevent Sewage Overflows
The city of Seattle is taking on a $500 million project to update its storm drains to reduce the amount of untreated sewage that overflows into waterways during storm events.
From Bus Yard to Housing
A decades-old plan to convert a bus yard into a housing project has gained new momentum in San Francisco.
Turning Car Parking into Bike Parking
This post from Spacing Toronto gives a personal look at the conversion of a car parking space into a bicycle parking area -- and how quickly the facility filled up.
Charlotte Bags Federal Streetcar Funds
Charlotte recently won a $25 million federal grant to begin construction on a streetcar system. The Charlotte Observer goes over some of the system's basics.
Vancouver Tests Out Street Vending
Vancouver's streets are buzzing with a new wave of street food vendors, part of a pilot program to expand formalized informal commerce downtown.
New Jersey Caps Property Tax Increases
Lawmakers in New Jersey have approved a bill that will limit annual property tax increases to 2%.
A Sinking Ship? Heading Chicago's Transit Agency
Like many transit agencies across the country, the economic recession has limited the capacity of Chicago's CTA to maintain itself. Governing talks with the man tasked with saving -- and recreating -- the troubled system.
Bronx Freeway Fight Takes National Stage
The local environmental justice movement to remove a short, recently renovated Bronx expressway has taken on national prominence. On July 13, NY DOT is expected to release three options that may decide its future, including one to remove it.
Editorial: Time to Increase the Gas Tax - Gradually
The Gulf spill, renewed attention to federal deficit, and summer driving prompts the Washington Post to advocate for a gradual increase in the all-time low federal gas tax, while acknowledging 'fierce' opposition by the electorate and politicians.
Driving Business with High Speed Rail
A recent report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors shows that high speed rail can be a driver of business opportunities. National Journal asks its panel of transportation experts if they think those findings are correct.
Investing in Brazil's Urban Mobility Ahead of the World Cup and Olympics
As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, its cities are trying to improve their public transit systems.
BRT Money Heads to Chicago and New York
Chicago and New York City have secured funds form the Federal Transportation Administration to build bus rapid transit systems.
Joseph Stalin Out, Michael Jackson In?
Michael Jackson fans in Prague want to build a statue commemorating the musician in the same park that once housed the world's biggest bust of Joseph Stalin. Some locals aren't happy about the plan.
Used MetroCards Make Big Litter - MTA Proposes a Solution
They litter almost every subway entrance - the ubiquitous, value-exhausted plastic MetroCards. Yet, MetroCards are refillable. Now MTA has devised a simple, revenue-producing measure that would reduce the litter by adding a $1 fee to new cards.
Lowest Gas Taxes In History
USA Today does some interesting analysis of the 18.4 cent federal gas tax and comes to some startling conclusions about how historically low it is when considered with vehicle miles driven and per capita income.
Electric Highway On its Way to Pacific Northwest
The nation's first electric highway could be coming to the Pacific Northwest.
Can an Operating System be Developed to Run a City?
Melissa Lafsky asks if citizen initiative facilities like '311' and 'fixmystreet' should be expanded into an "operating system" for cities.
NYC Asking Public to Comment on Planning Process
New York City is updating their Uniform Land Use Review Process. Tom Agnotti says there is a lot that is broken and needs fixing.
"Not Only Hi-Tech, It's Also Lederhosen"
Munich returns to the top of Monocle's most liveable cities for 2010. According to Monocle, Munich is a place where "wealth and prosperity are reinvested in transport, infrastructure and environmental initiatives."
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.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association
