Government / Politics
Minneapolis Looks To Crack Down On McMansions
The Minneapolis City Council has proposed measures that would limit the size of new houses in the city -- a move targeting oversized 'McMansion' homes that already account for about 1% of the housing stock.
Not Your Typical Town Hall Meeting
Once a month, a Minnesota drug store transforms itself into a neighborhood town hall meeting place where Democratic candidates vying for nearly any Minnesota office come to discuss and debate issues with the people they look to represent.
Bill To Protect Cyclists From Careless Drivers Passes
The Oregon Legislature has passed a bill that will increase penalties to drivers who carelessly injure or kill pedestrians, cyclists, and other "vulnerable" road users. Convicted offenders could face a one-year license suspension.
Second Home Owners Engaging In Activism
Vacation home owners are getting involved in local issues in their second communities.
U.S. Cities Follow Californian Opposition To Wal-Mart
Many cities are following the lead of various municipalities up and down California that are using any and all possible powers to prevent Wal-Marts from moving in. But despite the growing opposition, business is booming.
Michael Bloomberg: Chairman Of The Big Apple
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg views citizens as customers and city workers as assets. How does this translate into a new city hall transparency and vastly improved city services?
Documentary Follows Suburban Development Fight In Austin
"The Unforeseen," a new documentary, takes a thoughtful look at the various interests at stake in the development of sprawling real estate in Austin.
Seattle Grapples With Tree Losses
A rash of illegal tree cutting in Seattle has prompted local officials to act on the city's decreasing amount of trees and canopy cover. Tree-planting efforts hope to build the canopy back from less than its current city coverage of less than 20%.
New US Embassy In Baghdad Looks Like Suburban Sprawl
LA Times architectural critic Christopher Hawthorne examines the depressing-looking new and massive 104-acre U.S. embassy compound being constructed in Iraq within the 'Green Zone'.
Chicago's Green Plans Falling Short
Despite big plans to make the city a national example for environmental friendliness, some say Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's measures have failed to produce the intended results.
Outsourcing Local Government?
Sandy Springs, Georgia, with 80,000 residents, has apparently successfully outsourced all government functions, except for police and fire services.
What Toronto Could Learn From Chicago
Margaret Wente lists Chicago's strengths and criticizes Toronto's mayor for the city's problems.
'Flawed' Proposal May Be Last Chance
A long-planned transit tunnel connecting the greater Washington D.C. region to Dulles International Airport is coming up for a vote, but officials say the only way to keep the plan alive is to approve what is a seriously flawed proposal.
Panhandling Becomes A Crime In Minneapolis
The Minneapolis City Council has approved a measure to crack down on panhandling.
Multiple-Choice Property Tax
In what may be a first for the U.S., the state of Florida is proposing a plan to offer property owners a choice between two ways of calculating property taxes.
Presidential Candidate Stumps For Light Rail
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson promised to redirect funding from roads to mass transit if he's elected President.
A Closer Look At Muni's Meltdown
San Francisco's largest transit agency is reviled by many residents because of its service delays and poor management.
Why Bush's New Direction On Global Warming Won't Work
The Kyoto Protocol is a "mess" but a free market approach could help fix its weaknesses.
Brazil's Controversial Amazon Dam Project
Critics warn $11 billion hydroelectric dam project could cause environmental damage while supporters point to economic and infrastructure benefits.
Court Grants Local Power Over Big Box Locations
A California State Supreme Court ruling has given cities and counties broad authority of what type of retail developments can move into their municipalities, and where they can be located. Under the ruling, cities will be able to ban big box stores.
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
