Government / Politics

Cities Creating Land Banks to Deal with Vacant Properties

Abandoned and foreclosed properties are plaguing many cities. Now some are trying to turn the blight into prosperity by creating land banks to hold, remodel or demolish the properties -- and pull in some revenue while they're at it.

July 13, 2009 - USA Today

Don't Fear the 'Dozer

Opinions are flying in the debate over whether or not ailing cities like Detroit should bulldoze their empty neighborhoods. John Kromer of the Fels Institute of Government adds a rational note with this op-ed, explaining what The Flint Model for shrinking cities actually entails.

July 13, 2009 - John Kromer

Eating Healthy Now Required in San Francisco

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has issued a directive that seeks to mandate healthy eating and food production in the city.

July 12, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

United States of Bankruptcy

Budget issues are causing major issues for a handful of states. Neal Peirce argues these budget woes are a sign that states are making the wrong investments and that they idea of a state may be out of date.

July 12, 2009 - Citiwire

Keeping an Eye on License Plates

The posh San Francisco Bay Area town of Tiburon is planning to install cameras that record the license plate numbers of all cars coming into town. Police will use the system to apprehend criminals or investigate crimes.

July 11, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Communities Sue Florida Over Growth Management Law

Several communities in South Florida are suing the state government over the recent passage of a law that allows exurban development to occur even if there is no adequate transportation infrastructure in place.

July 10, 2009 - The Miami Herald

Private Ads in Public Spaces

The new public plazas in New York City have gained much popularity among locals -- and earned much money for the city. Officials have been renting out the spaces to advertisers, blurring the lines between public and private.

July 10, 2009 - The New York Times

Thousands of Crimes Not Displaying on LAPD Crime Map

The Los Angeles Police Department's crime-tracking website has been omitting thousands of violent crimes. 40% of crimes reported so far in 2009 are not included in the public website.

July 10, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

Why Broadband and Telecommuting Are Transportation Issues

Telecommuting should be considered an aspect of transportation, according to this piece from New Geography.

July 10, 2009 - New Geography

Cities Miffed As Transportation Funds Filter to Rural Areas

Less than half of the money set aside in the federal stimulus plan for transportation projects is going to cities, according to an analysis by The New York Times.

July 9, 2009 - The New York Times

Transit Shortchanged by Climate Bill

The recently passed House climate bill only dedicates 1 percent of funding to public transportation projects. Some are arguing that needs to be increased when the bill heads to the Senate.

July 9, 2009 - The Washington Independent

The Blow-By-Blow at the Senate Banking Committee

The committee convened a hearing on Monday on green investments in public transportation, and Streetsblog got the scoop. It was 4 against 1 as witnesses sided against Randal O'Toole and his anti-transit arguments.

July 8, 2009 - Streetsblog

India Rejects Limits On Greenhouse Gas Emissions

An announcement by India that it won't reduce its carbon emissions is sure to capture the attention of climate treaty and energy legislation opponents in the Congress.

July 8, 2009 - Bloomberg News

Nuisance Reporting Via iPhone

A new application for iPhones seeks to make it easier for Boston residents to report minor nuisances like potholes and busted street lights.

July 8, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Bike Sharing Plans Edge Forward in Portland

Officials in Portland are hoping to move forward on plans to bring a bike sharing system to the city. But with little money in the budget, implementing the system may take longer than expected.

July 7, 2009 - The Oregonian

Las Vegas Included in California's Rail Plans

Las Vegas will now be included in plans for California's high speed rail network, according to the Department of Transportation.

July 7, 2009 - Progressive Railroading

Transportation Reauthorization Depends On Funding Sources

The Economist looks at the looming battle between Congress and the Administration over whether to proceed now on transportation reauthorization or delay it 18 months, and concludes that the bottom line will be the funding mechanism.

July 6, 2009 - The Economist

Jerry Brown Sues Suburb Over Housing Element

The CA Attorney General wants cities to take their housing obligations seriously - so much so that he has joined a 2006 lawsuit against the Alameda County suburb of Pleasanton over a 'housing cap' of 29,000 units approved by its voters in 1996.

July 6, 2009 - CBS Broadcasting

DOT Seeks to Borrow $20 Billion

The Federal Department of Transportation has sent a request to borrow $20 billion from the Treasury to compensate for shortfalls in the Highway Trust Fund.

July 6, 2009 - CQ Politics

Think You Can Balance California's Budget?

The Los Angeles Times has created an interactive game where you can make the hard choices in where to cut the State's expenditures.

July 5, 2009 - The Los Angeles Times

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

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Top Schools

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100 Most Influential Urbanists

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.