Government / Politics

Slowing The Development Process In New York

Daniel Doctoroff, deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding in New York, discusses the changing (and more deliberate) way the city now goes about pursuing development projects.

December 16, 2007 - The New York Observer

Inclusionary Housing Bill Gets Approval In Philadelphia

The Philadelphia city council has approved an inclusionary housing bill requiring developers to include a certain percentage of affordable housing in all projects of 20 units or more.

December 16, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Transportation Budget Is Billions Short In Oregon

Oregon's state transportation budget is falling short of the projected demand by billions of dollars. A committee of local politicians is laying blame at the state and federal levels.

December 15, 2007 - The Oregonian

New Car 'Carbon Fee/Rebate' Takes Effect In France

Come January 1, new car buyers in France may be charged a hefty carbon fee, or conversely, receive a carbon rebate, depending upon the emissions of the vehicle they purchase. The fee/rebate is strikingly similar to a twice-failed California bill.

December 15, 2007 - Yahoo News

Friday Funny: Payback For The Parking Czar

The head of traffic and parking enforcement in Rome, Italy was fired after parking illegally using a fraudulent handicapped permit.

December 14, 2007 - Reuters

Urban Issues? No Comment

With all the presidential debates going on this election season, not once have urban issues come up.

December 14, 2007 - The New York Times

Business Carbon Tax Proposed In San Francisco

A ballot measure aimed for November 2008 will ask San Francisco voters to raise the commercial utilities tax and lower the city's payroll tax in an effort to reduce energy usage, increase use of public transit, and increase recycling.

December 14, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Housing Demolitions Spark Protests In New Orleans

Plans to demolish about 4,500 units of public housing in New Orleans have angered many in the city and inspired a string of protests.

December 13, 2007 - Associated Press via The Times Picayune

Chicken Ban Considered in Chicago

Chicago city officials have proposed a ban that would forbid residents from keeping chickens.

December 13, 2007 - Associated Press

The Most Important Year In New Orleans History

According to Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Louisiana's recovery has reached the tipping point, setting 2008 up as the year New Orleans will truly come back.

December 13, 2007 - WWL AM 870

Houston Makes Agreement With Advertiser To Cut 800 Billboards

The City of Houston has come to an agreement with Clear Channel Advertising for the company to remove about 800 billboards from the city -- the result of a citywide plan to clean up the city's "visual clutter" that started more than 20 years ago.

December 12, 2007 - The Houston Chronicle

Main Street Preservation Aims Harm Economy

This article from Reason looks at a regulatory system in Alexandria, Virginia, that seeks to maintain the city's historic Old Town neighborhood. But is the regulation burdening local businesses owners to the point of hurting the economy?

December 12, 2007 - Reason

Canada's Capital Errors

Thanks to a series of "lousy" public policy decisions, Ottawa - Canada's national capital - is growing increasingly dysfunctional, writes Jeffrey Simpson.

December 11, 2007 - The Globe & Mail

Small Towns Look To Keep Young Professionals By Increasing Affordable Housing

County officials in New York are looking to award more than $87 million to small towns to increase their stock of affordable housing -- an effort aimed at luring and keeping young professionals. But opposition to this development type is a hurdle.

December 11, 2007 - The New York Times

States Dependent On Colorado River Water Agree On Plan

The seven western states dependent on the Colorado River for their water are on the verge of coming to an agreement on a management plan to ensure a steady supply of water from the increasingly stressed source. But some say the plan won't do enough.

December 10, 2007 - The Arizona Republic

National Heritage Areas In Center of Property Rights Debate

With more and more land receiving federal protection as National Heritage Areas, property rights activists are butting heads with the preservationists they say are taking rights away from landowners.

December 10, 2007 - The Washington Post

Is A Subway System Possible In Kansas City?

The city may consider a heavy rail subway system after overturning a light rail ballot initiative.

December 10, 2007 - The Kansas City Star

New Orleans To Slash Low Income Housing

Plans to demolish low income housing and remove FEMA trailers are putting the poor of New Orleans in a tight spot.

December 10, 2007 - Bloomberg

Lessons From America's Most Ambitious Infrastructure Project

The City Journal examines lessons from Boston's 35-year, $14.8 billion Big Dig project and asks how can American invest in infrastructure -- and do it intelligently?

December 10, 2007 - City Journal

Munich: A Marvel Of Smart Growth and Urban Planning

Urban planners and developers in the Western United States could learn a lot from Munich, Germany, argues one online commentator.

December 9, 2007 - UtahStories.com

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.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

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Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

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.