Government / Politics

NOLA Medical Campus to Replace Historic Buildings

A proposed New Orleans hospital will have to be built on top of an historic neighborhood that some residents feel that they have just regained. Those in favor of the project insist that the selection of that site was necessary.

December 1, 2008 - International Herald Tribune

Transportation Secretary Will Have to Hit Ground Running

Outdated funding mechanisms and systemwide maintenance issues ensure that the next transportation secretary will have a full plate during the Obama administration.

December 1, 2008 - The Washington Post

Can L.A. Go Solar?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has an ambitious plan to get L.A. to go solar. Still, without a proper financial analysis, skeptics find it too lofty to be true.

November 30, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

London Mayor Cuts Cycling Funds

London mayor Boris Johnson is facing backlash for withdrawing money from bike route funds to rephase traffic lights, among other things. The move is less than effective for making London a "true cycling city," say critics.

November 29, 2008 - Guardian (UK)

How to Empower the World's Poor

The key to solving global poverty is possessing secure land and property tenure, according to this opinion piece. Having such security enables poor communities, even those here at home, to make demands from their governments.

November 29, 2008 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Continuing Battle Over Native American Lands

Enterprising Native American communities are using their sovereignty to approve large projects that would be difficult to clear on neighboring lands, like landfills and casinos. Industry is happy to oblige, and directly targets the Native market.

November 27, 2008 - Center for Public Integrity

London Blitz, Redux

A combination of economic crises and a tax code based on square footage rather than rentals is encouraging a raft of demolitions that is leaving parts of London looking like it's been bombed again.

November 26, 2008 - The Globe and Mail

Transit Hero Featured In Seattle Column

This column deals with two Seattle issues: one political - the victory of a transit measure on Nov. 4 that will direct $18 billion to light rail; the other human - a Sierra Club activist who made the campaign for Prop 1 a full time job.

November 26, 2008 - The Seattle Times

Santa Monica Bans Exercising on Traffic Medians

After noise complaints by residents nearby, any exercise that takes place on a grassy traffic median in Santa Monica that can qualify as "congregating" has been banned.

November 26, 2008 - International Herald Tribune

The Cautionary Tale of Vallejo

Vallejo, CA declared bankruptcy last spring, felled by fiscal mismanagement and falling property taxes. Cities around the country are looking to Vallejo's example as they teeter near the edge.

November 26, 2008 - Governing Magazine

Greening New York From the Street Up

This article from The American Prospect profiles New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and examines her influence on the city's green agenda.

November 26, 2008 - The American Prospect

San Francisco Weighs Congestion Pricing Options

Officials in San Francisco will be presented with reports today on possible ways to integrate congestion pricing and toll zones into the city. If approved, San Francisco would be the first city in the nation to implement congestion pricing.

November 25, 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle

Save Detroit - Raise The Gas Tax

Fortune Magazine's Martin Sloan is interviewed on Marketplace on why he thinks it would be good for Detroit, and America, to have a higher gas tax. At the same time, he has advice to Congress as to what they should do with fuel-efficiency standards.

November 25, 2008 - Marketplace Morning Report

Best Cities To Live In When The Peak Oil Crisis Hits

Common Current recently released a report ranking U.S. cities on their ability to deal with a peak oil crisis. San Francisco comes out on top and Oklahoma City ranks last.

November 21, 2008 - Common Current

Would $3 Gas Balance California's Budget?

Energy expert Severin Borenstein suggests a novel strategy to ensure California drivers don't lose their gas-saving habits and vehicle preferences learned when gas cost $4.50/gallon - a 'variable gas surcharge' to stabilize gas prices at $3/gallon.

November 21, 2008 - The Sacramento Bee

Change Comes to Committee on Energy and Commerce

Representative Henry A. Waxman of California replaces the current chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, who has served in the post since 1981. Waxman's nomination was applauded by environmental groups.

November 21, 2008 - The New York Times

'Right to Rent' as Way out of Foreclosure Crisis

The way out of the foreclosure crisis may not be as difficult or as complex as it has been made out to be, argues Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

November 20, 2008 - AlterNet

Can Infrastructure Spending Unite America?

Bill Scher believes that public investments in infrastructure will be a hallmark of the incoming administration, and suggests that it should be a point of political unity.

November 19, 2008 - Campaign for America's Future

Land Use and Religion Collide in CO

After a church in Denver was denied permission to expand its facilities, they filed a lawsuit against Boulder County on charges of discrimination. This month, the case reached a federal courtroom.

November 19, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Infrastructure Funding Boosts Likely in 2009

Repairing the nation's infrastructure is a good move on to-be President Obama's part, as it also creates jobs "that lead to the creation of still more jobs."

November 18, 2008 - The Baltimore Sun

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.