Government / Politics
San Francisco's New PD Talks About City's Challenges
Architect Magazine talks with San Francisco's new planning director, John Rahaim, about the urban planning challenges and issues in the city.
A Rerun In The Campaign For Mayor Of L.A.
Twenty years ago, Los Angeles voters chose Tom Bradley's "world city" vision over a slow-growth councilman's carping about overdevelopment. Voters may face the same choice - and one of the same candidates - in 2009.
Wi-Fi Plans Dropped Over Health Concerns
Officials in the California city of Sebastopol have gone back on an agreement with an Internet provider that was planning to create a municipal Wi-Fi network for the city. They cited health concerns in their decision.
Big Brother is Buzzing You
Miami may be the first American city to have its police force adopt Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to aid police in fighting crime, a development civil liberties groups are finding disconcerting.
Georgia Considers Regional Taxes for Transportation
Lawmakers in Georgia are considering a plan to ask voters in rural areas to decide whether they want to pay a regional sales tax to fund transportation projects -- a response to the state's few funding sources for transit projects.
'Tent City' for Residents Only
A "tent city" established in the Southern California city of Ontario for occupation by homeless people has been temporarily shut down as city officials and police attempt to evict people without clear ties to the city.
Creating the 'Live Music Capital'
A 15-member "live music task force" will begin work to try to encourage the growth of a musical economy in Austin, Texas.
Salt Lake Transit Authority Accused of Misusing Funds
In Salt Lake City, advocates for bus riders have asked the state attorney general to investigate whether the Utah Transit Authority has skewed its ridership figures to gain public support for major investments, which they say is a misuse of funding.
Oregon's Property Rights Debate Offers Lessons to Nation
Oregon's property rights issues should serve as a cautionary tale for the rest of the country, according to this article from Metropolis.
Affordable Housing Bill May Hurt Affordable Housing In Vermont
A bill intended to expand the stock of affordable housing in Middlebury, Vermont, is coming under criticism for actually making it harder for developers to build affordable housing.
New York's Congestion Pricing Plan Enters Final Stretch
Officials in New York are pleading their case for a congestion pricing plan before city councilors as the April 7 deadline for approval approaches.
Planning in Venezuela's Communal Councils
This article from Progressive Planning looks at the communal councils being set up in Venezuela and the progress they have made in local planning efforts.
Review Halted for Major L.A. Housing Project
Review of a project that would have added more than 5,500 homes to the fringes of Los Angeles has been halted after a recent City Council vote. Many expect this to be the death knell for the project.
San Francisco's Little-Known Public Spaces
A policy requiring new commercial developments to include public spaces has created more than a dozen new public places in downtown San Francisco since the 1980s. Some say more effort is needed to make these public places known by the public.
Who's Ready for Peak Oil?
Report ranks largest 50 US cities by their readiness for $4+ a gallon gas and $100+ a barrel oil prices
Locals Apprehensively Excited About Sydney's Big Transit Plans
A recently announced $12.5 billion metropolitan rail system plan for Sydney has many in the region excited about finally getting a good mass transit system. But they are also wary, as many other proposals promising similar services were never kept.
Ballot Measure to Weigh Eminent Domain in California
Two ballot measures on the June ballot in California will challenge the state's eminent domain and rent control rules.
Viewing L.A.'s Density Debate From the Passenger's Seat
A Los Angeles Times columnist hears about the Los Angeles density controversy and sees its implications during a recent drive around town with County Commissioner Zev Yaroslavsky.
Army Corps of Dysfunction
Dysfunctional and wasteful practices have defined the army Corps of Engineers for years. Despite being caught in the act many times, the Corps continues to propose and push forward unnecessary projects, according to this article.
Long Beach Cruisers
The city of Long Beach, California, has initiated a bike sharing program for city officials. The program consists of 16 shared bikes, usable by city employees for short trips and errands around the city.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Portland
City of Laramie
