Government / Politics
Rare Show Of Unity on Growth Legislation in CA
An unusual coalition of environmentalists, builders,and city leaders announced their support for a controversial land use and transportation bill that aims to involve the CA Air Resources Board in setting reduction targets.
Did Enviros Misjudge The Effect Of High Gas Prices?
The public has relegated global warming well behind other issues, including high energy prices. This article examines the role of environmental groups in this backslide as the public warms to more drilling to reduce gas prices.
NYC Planning Director Walks the East Side with a Tape Measure
New York City planning chief Burden took the Daily News on one of her many walks. She showed how zoning can work to preserve the way of life on the storied Lower East Side and East Village, where she has worked diligently with the community on a plan to encourage affordable housing, ignite positive reinvestment, and prevent out-of-character high structures from impacting the neighborhood again.
Hurting Economy Could Expand Privatization of Infrastructure
As the economy continues to struggle, many expect governments to increasingly look at privatizing roads and other infrastructure.
Honolulu Rail Moves Closer to Ballot
Officials in Honolulu recently approved a measure that will allow voters to decide whether to build a long-planned $4 billion rail system.
A Struggle Between Security and Civil Rights at Beijing's Olympics
Security is a major concern during large public events like the Olympics. The Chinese government is making preparations for a safe event, but could they go too far?
NYC Congestion Pricing Isn't Dead Yet
The prospect of a looming MTA deficit and rising transit fares is prompting a second look at congestion pricing in Manhattan, a project defeated by the state Assembly in April, notwithstanding a federal grant for $360 million.
Infrastructure Bank Needs More Than a 'Drop in the Bucket'
This commentary from Reason looks at the prospect of a national infrastructure bank and argues that much more needs to be done.
Broad Green Building Law Passed in San Francisco
San Francisco has passed some of the strictest green building requirements in the nation, for new construction and renovations.
NIMBYism Strikes as Residents Fight Senior Housing
Citizens in Weston, Massachusetts, one of America's toniest suburbs, continue to block a local college's effort to build senior housing, raise its endowment and provide scholarships for low-income students.
China's Architecture of Control
For China, the Olympics represent a struggle between letting people in and controlling what they see and do. This is a problem, writes Andrew Yang, that implicates the Olympics-related architecture in a bad way.
Builder Says Inclusionary Zoning Doesn't Work
In this op-ed, a builders association representative argues that proposals for inclusionary zoning laws in Minnesota that require a certain percentage of affordable housing do not achieve the goals they aim for.
If They Don't Like It, Why Build It?
Architect Robert Adam likens modern architecture to modern democracy, where decisions made on high supposedly represent the will of the people.
Public Transit Benefits Mandate Proposed For San Francisco Employers
San Francisco's latest attempt to mandate employers to provide benefits to their workers is to provide economic incentives to use public transit or vanpools. However, unlike prior mandates, e.g. health care, the business sector appears OK with it.
Friday Funny: 'Al Gore Places Infant Son In Rocket To Escape Dying Planet'
This just in from The Onion.
'Tolls Not Gas Tax', Says Bush
Keep gas and diesel taxes stable and add new road tolls and private investment, and the road funding deficit will be solved, according to the new Bush transportation plan released July 30.
Daily Show Looks at 'The Big Sort'
Author Bill Bishop discusses the "big sort" that's resulting in increasingly homogeneous voting patterns in the segment on Comedy Central's Daily Show.
Pay No Attention to the Neighborhood Behind the Curtain
In a last-minute effort to beautify the city before the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics, officials in Beijing have put up walls and screens to hide unsightly neighborhoods from the eyes of visitors. Those behind the walls are not happy.
Bay Area Regional HOT Lane Plan Approved
The Bay Area's transportation agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, approved a comprehensive plan for regional High Occupancy Toll lanes, mostly from conversions of existing and already-planned carpool lanes, totaling almost 800 miles.
City Still Squabbling Over Dead Specific Plan
Last year, Sierra Madre voters passed Measure V, which placed strict limits on the size of downtown developments, effectively killing a specific plan that was in process. Now, the city council is fighting over releasing the plan's unfinished EIR.
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
