Government / Politics

Towns Take More Control Over Affordable Housing Development

Instead of waiting for developers to come into town with plans for affordable housing, some Connecticut towns are taking advantage of a statewide grant program that helps establish zones for high density and affordable housing.

September 2, 2009 - The New York Times

High Line Assessment District Dropped

Plans to create an assessment district near New York City's new High Line linear park have been dropped.

September 1, 2009 - The Architect's Newspaper

Development Comes to a Halt, as Obscure Agency Loses Funding

Two jobs in the Howard County Soil Conservation District were cut on Friday, leaving developers with plans in for review in the lurch. Officials are scrambling to find funding to get development rolling again.

August 31, 2009 - The Washington Post

Broadband Stimulus Grant Requests Flood In

The application period has opened for federal stimulus grants to fund broadband Internet access projects in underserved areas. The response has been overwhelming.

August 31, 2009 - USA Today

Dwindling Resources in a World of 9 Billion

The population is expected to climb to 9 billion within the next 50 years. As a result, crucial natural resources will dwindle. This article looks at four that will be much harder to come by in the future.

August 31, 2009 - Gizmag

Moving Beyond "Town Brawls"

The health care reform town halls are just the latest evidence that traditional forms of public engagement are no longer effective and in fact can be counterproductive, writes Sandy Heierbacher.

August 30, 2009 - Yes! Magazine

Fight Congestion, Boost the Economy

Reducing traffic congestion can have big economic benefits for communities, according to a new study from the Reason Foundation.

August 30, 2009 - Reason

'Fuel Management' Fueling Wildfires

As wildfires rage in Southern California, some experts are calling for a revision of policies that encourage controlled burns to reduce fire risks.

August 29, 2009 - Miller-McCune

When Going Green Is Less Important Than Saving Green

A new HVAC system for a building in Minnesota that was expected to meet high environmental standards was going to come in at almost three times its originally estimated costs. So city officials are delaying.

August 29, 2009 - Minneapolis-St.Paul Star Tribune

Inside Havana's Urban Farms

This video from the BBC looks inside some of the 200 urban farms that provide vegetables for Havana and the rest of Cuba.

August 29, 2009 - BBC

How Do We Pay For City Services?

Inspired by the revelation that Oakland, CA is stepping up their traffic and parking enforcement to make up a budget shortfall, Geoff Manaugh rethinks the entire process of how we fund our cities.

August 28, 2009 - BLDBLOG

Do Not Let There Be Light

As city budgets tighten, streetlights are getting the ax in an effort to save money.

August 28, 2009 - USA Today

Creating an Open City Can Be Cheap and Easy

The City of Nanaimo, British Columbia is a leader in the open data and open government movement, according to this post from the Creative Class Exchange. Getting there is easier and cheaper than many might think.

August 28, 2009 - Creative Class Exchange

Utopias in Miniature

As Germany's elections near, the makers of 'Miniature Wonderland' invite political parties to use their scale models to show the public what their utopia would look like.

August 27, 2009 - Speigel International

Start Your Own Utopia

Smithsonian explores micronations, tiny utopian city-states that strike out on their own - whether or not their current government recognizes their independence.

August 26, 2009 - Smithsonian

Protests and Anger As Country Readies for Driving Lane Switch

Samoa is readying itself for a countrywide transition that is shaking up the island country's roughly 200,000 people. Beginning September 7th, Samoans will be required to drive on the left side of the road.

August 26, 2009 - The Wall Street Journal

California's Debate Over What Constitutes Renewable Energy

The goal is to increase California's use of clean, renewable sources of electricity so as to meet the state's climate protection goal. Two bills are being debated that will require that 33% of electricity sources be composed of renewables by 2020.

August 25, 2009 - The Sacramento Bee

Leaving San Francisco

Think "Leaving Las Vegas" starring Nicholas Cage, except the 'actors' here are the real thing - 'chronic inebriates' costing the city about $13 million annually in ambulance costs alone. It's not necessarily a 'homelessness' problem.

August 24, 2009 - San Francisco Chronicle

Honolulu $500 Million Short for Rail Project

The city of Honolulu is $500 million short of what it will need to fund the $5.3 billion commuter rail system voters approved last fall.

August 24, 2009 - The Honolulu Advertiser

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.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

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