Government / Politics
Green Building Requirement Weighed in San Francisco
The city of San Francisco is considering a proposal to require most new commercial and residential buildings to comply with the green building standard LEED.
Bush Denies Infrastructure Funding
The pleas of governors from across the country for more infrastructure funding have been shot down by President George W. Bush.
Bending the Rules on Smoking Bans
Bars in Minneapolis have found a workaround to evade the state's ban on smoking in bars: stage "theater nights" and let all patrons be "actors" in a show that allows smoking.
Municipal Bankruptcy Woes
The cities of Vallejo, California, and McCall, Idaho, are considering filing for bankruptcy.
Variable Toll May Replace Flat Golden Gate Bridge Toll
The Bay Area's $158 million Urban Partnership Grant is in trouble. It appears politically unlikely that a roadway toll will pass the legislature, so officials hope to change the flat Golden Gate Bridge toll to a variable toll to receive the grant.
Bearing the Costs of Disaster Area Development
Should everyone pay for a few people to live in fire- and disaster-prone areas?
Sex Scandal in the Planning Department
An Australian planner has confessed to having a series of affairs with prominent developers and subsequently approving their plans for major developments.
Baltimore Urban Renewal District Nixed
Plans to create an urban renewal district in South Baltimore have been denied by the city's Planning Commission, arguing that forcibly removing residents and businesses is not a reasonable method for saving the neigborhood.
Atlanta's Beltline Project Soldiers On -- But Without a Lot of Cash
After the Georgia Supreme Court ruled the Beltline project could not use school funds from a tax-increment financing funding source, what next?
Bonds, Lame Bonds
Unprecedented failure in municipal bond auctions is causing municipal borrowers to flee the auction market and driving up rates at which cities can borrow money.
Land Unused
Residents and city officials in L.A. battle over what to do with unused land surrounding the Silver Lake Reservoir.
City Overhaul Proposed in Toronto
Experts are calling for a major revision to the city operations of Toronto, suggesting the creation of region-wide toll roads, increased taxes and
User-Funded Infrastructure Repair Proposed in L.A.
City officials in Los Angeles are considering a plan to repair the city's crumbling sidewalks by forcing homeowners to pay for their repair when the property is sold.
Toll Road Idea Floating in Arizona
Legislators in Arizona are considering plans to convert some of the state's highways to toll roads in an effort to boost the state's transportation budget.
Environmentalists Split On Cap & Trade Approach To Climate Protection
In what may be viewed as a striking fracture to a unified approach to climate change, 18 environmental justice groups have announced their opposition to any type of carbon trading or even carbon offset approach, preferring use of carbon fees instead.
Carbon Tax System Unveiled in British Columbia
The government of British Columbia has announced a carbon tax system for the province -- the first in North America.
Measure 49 Stifling Subdivisions in Oregon
Subdivisions that were approved under Oregon's Measure 37 in 2004 and then overturned by the passage of Measure 49 last November are moving forward, but only a few houses at a time -- a result Measure 49's proponents say is a victory.
Study Says Traffic Growth Slowing In Metro St. Louis
A regional government report shows a slowdown in traffic growth in Metropolitan St. Louis, but state highway officials still plan to expand highways.
Getting a Grip on 'EcoDensity'
Vancouver's plans for "EcoDensity" should be better understood by the public before moving forward, according to this opinion piece.
The Missing Urban Discussion
This editorial from The New York Times bemoans the absence of discussion about urban policy in the presidential campaigns.
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 Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
