Government / Politics
Government Plans Vertical Garden on Portland Skyscraper
As part of a $133 million renovation of a federal building in Portland, the Government Services Administration plans to add 200-foot high "vegetated fins" that will carpet the building with plants and - hopefully - energy savings.
Ventura, CA Transitions To Paid Parking, Under Mayor Bill Fulton
Like anything 'free', it's difficult to make the transition to charging, especially when you are City Hall, but pay stations are on their way that will apply charges on the busier streets to 10pm or midnight while the parking garage will be 'free'.
A State-by-State Look at Biking and Walking
A new report from the Alliance for Biking & Walking takes a state-by-state look at the cycling and walking community, safety statistics, and investment figures.
Outside Vancouver, Smaller Towns Skeptical About Olympic Benefits
Locals in some of the smaller towns of British Columbia are skeptical that they will see the economic benefits of the this year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Las Vegas Water Plan Hits Wall
Plans by Las Vegas officials to siphon water from northern Nevada down to the growing city may have hit a wall, as a recent ruling from the state Supreme Court found fault with the region's water rights application process.
Improving Safety Through Architecture and Public Works in Colombia
This piece from Utne Reader looks at the role of architecture in the public works projects of Medellin, Colombia, a city that has struggled with severe crime.
California Considers Full-Cost Parking Bill
Having stalled in the state Senate last June, a bill that aims to "reduc(e) governmental or government-required subsidies for parking" passed out of the senate on Jan. 28. Parking strategies would be eligible for cap & trade credits under the bill.
Reducing Congestion and Saving Money
Traffic is expensive. This infographic from GOOD looks at how much congestion costs cities and what they are trying to do to cut down the traffic.
Gov 2.0 On the Rise
Twitter, iPhones, and new sites like SeeClickFix make it increasingly easy for citizens and governments to communicate. Along with newly available data sets, these "Gov 2.0" apps may signal a new era of active citizens and responsive governments.
County Land Management System Ditches Paper for Web
In one North Carolina county, the land development process -- from permitting to building plan submission to inspection -- is now organized under one electronic, online system.
Projects Picked for U.S. High Speed Rail Funding
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden are in Florida today to announce a funding package for a variety of high speed rail projects. In total, $7.9 billion in funding is being announced.
Big Changes Could Come to Atlanta Transit in 2010
2010 may turn out to be a landmark year for public transportation in the Atlanta metropolitan area, with legislation that could let municipalities levy sales tax increases to help fund transit projects.
Planning for the Rising American Interest in Soccer
Increasing amounts of Americans are soccer players, and the parks and park planners in American cities are beginning to reflect the sport's growing popularity, according to this piece from the Regional Plan Association.
California HSR Gets $2.25 Billion Boost
A huge boost for the CA High Speed Rail project will result from an injection of $2.25 billion from President Obama's $8 billion HSR stimulus funds, twice as much as any other project.
Notes on Structural Change: Redefining the Problem of Weak Markets
The foreclosure crisis spreading across America has burdened cities and neighborhoods with value-draining vacancies and abandoned properties. To counteract the economic havoc they've caused, planners and policymakers must focus on restoring confidence in the market, according to neighborhood planning consultants Charles Buki and Elizabeth Humphrey Schilling.
Tent Handouts Hope to Provide Shelter and Spotlight in Vancouver
A human rights group in Vancouver is hoping to distribute free tents to the city's homeless in an attempt to temporarily shelter the homeless and bring attention to the city's homelessness when it plays host to the Winter Olympics.
Public Gets Rare Charrette in Abu Dhabi
In a region where public participation is often excluded from the planning process, urban planners are hosting a charrette in Abu Dhabi.
$70 Million in Transit Stimulus Funds at Risk
BART's people-mover connection to the Oakland Airport is jeopardized by an FTA ruling that the agency failed to reach out to minorities, potentially denying the agency of $70 million in stimulus funds. Might the funds go to other transit needs?
Double-Fine Zones: Do They Work?
In this op-ed, CA state Senator Leland Yee (D-SF/San Mateo) discusses the result of his legislation to apply double traffic fines, as well as city street improvements, on two of the most dangerous roads in SF, 19th and Van Ness Aves.
U.S. Military Base Plans Threatened by New Mayor of Japanese Town
The recent election of a new mayor in a small town on the Japanese island of Okinawa has severely threatened plans to build a new U.S. military base in the town.
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)
