Government / Politics
Bill Seeks To Limit Tax Deductions For McMansions
Climate change legislation that is expected to be introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives next month includes a provision that eliminates a tax deduction for any home over 3,000 square feet.
Transportation Is Biggest Loser In New California Budget
California's 52-day delayed budget was just signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger and the biggest loser is transportation -- to the tune of $1.3 billion. Public transit agencies will be taking the biggest hit of all.
Lawsuit Over General Plan Ignoring Global Warming Settled
A widely watched lawsuit by California's attorney general against the state's fastest growing county over the issue of inventorying and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the update of a county general plan has been settled.
Disneyland Takes Rezoning To Ballot
The housing saga continues in Anaheim, California, as the Disney Corporation has pushed a referendum into next June's city ballot that will let voters decide if housing should be allowed in the Disneyland-adjacent "Resort District".
After Brief Pause, Naked Time Will Resume
Despite thousands of signatures in its support, a proposed law that would have banned public nudity in the city of Brattleboro, Vermont, was voted down recently. A temporary ban will end next month.
The Manhattanization Of L.A.
In this piece from the Los Angeles Times, Joel Kotkin writes about how L.A. politicians are blindly following the lead of developers in densifying the city without adequately debating the consequences.
Wal-Mart Town Center Project Is Missing The Town Center
In North Lauderdale, Florida, a Wal-Mart-anchored town center is struggling to live up to its promises.
Good Management The Secret To Successful Communities
Cerritos, California, has become one of the more successful suburbs of Los Angeles by applying superb management techniques.
California Publishes New Hazard Mitigation Draft Plan
The California Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) is the state's plan for reshaping and strengthening the built environment to significantly reduce disaster losses created by natural and human-caused hazards.
Is Transportation Infrastructure The Basis Of A North American Union?
Plans to construct a trans-Texas highway corridor have theorists speculating that this transportation infrastructure is the first step in a secret plan to create a North American union between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Outsourcing City Hall
Four unincorporated communities in Atlanta have become new cities...and outsourced neary all government services to private corporations.
Push For Light Rail, BRT On Bridge Replacement Meets Resistance
The city of Minneapolis wants plans for the collapsed Interstate 35W to include the possible future implementation of space for light rail and bus rapid transit. The state department of transportation, however, has a differing vision.
Flood Victims Call On Government To Limit Flood Plain Development
Residents of a British town that was recently flooded gathered to demonstrate against governmental housing plans that do not advise against building in flood plains.
Honolulu Traffic Best Dealt With Incrementally
This editorial from the Honolulu Star-Tribune looks at Oahu's traffic issues and how the baby steps proposed by the Honolulu City Council may be more effective than grand-scale transit plans.
Federal Government Encourages Car Use While Fighting Congestion
Despite the federal government's recently-awarded grants to support toll roads and other measures to reduce traffic congestion, many subsidies still exist that encourage car use.
Measure 37 Causes Billboard Blight In Oregon
An unintended effect of Measure 37 -- Oregon's controversial 2004 land use law -- is that homeowners are allowed to build giant billboards on their property. Some have, and local officials are hoping a new ballot measure will address the issue.
Mike Davis Discusses Dubai
In this interview, urbanist Mike Davis talks about the rapidly growing emirate of Dubai.
Bridge Collapse May Clear Budget Roadblocks
A history of speedbumps have hindered transit funding in Minnesota, but after the Interstate 35W bridge collapse, the state's roads may finally get the maintenance money they need.
Tax Breaks Fueling Luxury Condo Development In Gulf
Investors are taking advantage of tax breaks offered for developing and buying property in hurricane-affected areas of the Gulf region, such as the hot condo market that has sprung up next to a college football stadium in Alabama.
Officials Vote No On 'Flawed' Incentive, Propose New System
Two Roanoke City Councilmembers explain why they voted against an $880,000 city grant to a local developer and propose a more objective approach to offering development incentives.
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.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
