Government / Politics

Don't Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor?

New studies rank cities based on the extent to which they "criminalize homelessness."

July 20, 2009 - NPR

Middle East Choking as Euphrates Shrinks

Water policies in Syria and Turkey are draining the Euphrates River dry, and neighboring Iraq is feeling all the hurt from it.

July 20, 2009 - The New York Times

Inching Towards Graywater Reuse in Oregon

Legislators in Oregon are making moves to allow residents to reuse graywater.

July 20, 2009 - The Statesman Journal

Prince Charles vs. the Architects

A dust-up between architects and the Prince of Wales over a speech and a £1b development is bringing the age-old battle between traditional and modern architecture to a head. Managing editor Tim Halbur summarizes the news.

July 20, 2009 - Tim Halbur

China's Urban Policy Leaps While U.S. Lags

China's fast-paced development is making it into a major economic power. Its emphasis on urban policy is leaving the U.S. in the dust, writes Eugenie Birch.

July 18, 2009 - Citiwire

Dealing With Vacant Mansions in London

In a posh borough of London, empty homes are causing problems for officials, who are tasked with finding the owners of these vacant or abandoned mansions.

July 17, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

Congressmen Propose Water Trust Fund

A group of U.S. representatives has proposed the creation of a national trust fund for water infrastructure in the U.S.

July 17, 2009 - Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Prayer at City Council

The ACLU and local clergy are fighting over the prayers recited at City Council meetings in San Marcos, Texas, near Austin.

July 17, 2009 - San Marcos Daily Record

Make No Big Plans

Salon's Michael Lind argues that attempts to create "comprehensive reform" of anything is a recipe for disaster.

July 16, 2009 - Salon.com

London Transit Guru Moves to New York's MTA

An American-born transit planner who help usher in congestion pricing and smart transit card technology in London has been nominated to chair New York's transit system.

July 16, 2009 - The New York Times

LaHood on the Stimulus Package

Speaking today at the Center for National Policy in D.C., Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood touted the success of the ARRA stimulus package and answered questions on transportation bill reauthorization and other topics.

July 15, 2009 - TheCityFix

Illinois Approves $31 Billion Construction Plan

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill that will bring about $31 billion worth of road, transit and school construction projects.

July 15, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Wetland-Clearing Highway Project on List for Texas Stimulus

A 14-mile road segment that would connect two highways in Texas is a contender for stimulus funding in the state. But it would also cause the removal of at least 23 acres of wetlands. Environmentalists are upset the proposal is being considered.

July 15, 2009 - The Houston Chronicle

Chattanooga Turns To Bicycles To Help Homeless

Bicycles are being collected and distributed to Chattanooga's homeless in an attempt to improve their quality of life.

July 15, 2009 - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Regions of Water's Future Uncertainty

This interactive map from Good's Water issue highlight seven regions in the world that are likely to experience conflict over water shortages.

July 14, 2009 - Good

Vancouver Requires Electric Car Inclusionary Zoning

The city of Vancouver is going to begin requiring that a certain amount of electric car charging stations be included in all new residential developments.

July 14, 2009 - CBC

New York Begins Converting Stalled Projects to Affordable Housing

The City of New York has unveiled its Housing Asset Renewal Program, a plan to revive stalled projects as affordable housing.

July 14, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

Lighting Fighting Crime

Fighting gang crime in Los Angeles is as easy as leaving the lights on at neighborhood parks.

July 13, 2009 - The New York Times

White House Begins Urban Policy Creation

The White House is setting forth on its long-planned mission to craft a federal urban policy program. The effort kicks off with a daylong conference today.

July 13, 2009 - The Washington Post

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.