Government / Politics

Low-Income Tenants In D.C. Agree To Relocate

Plans to redevelop several ailing housing projects near the U.S. Capitol into mixed-income communities are moving forward after most tenants agree to relocate voluntarily.

June 10, 2007 - The Washington Post

Smart Growth Leaders Still Living Low Density American Dream

While encouraging the city's residents to embrace higher densities and public transit, many of Los Angeles's smart growth advocates live in single family homes and commute long distances in cars.

June 10, 2007 - LA Weekly

New York Congestion Pricing Plan Gains State And Federal Support

The federal and the state government have announced their support for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan for Manhattan, indicating that the city would most likely receive federal grants to fund the system.

June 8, 2007 - The New York Times

Land Use Policy Paralysis On California Coast

Voters in Monterey County, California, have rejected environmentalists' general plan initiative, and appear to have tossed aside a county-written plan as well. The June 5 election was the latest conflict in the seven-year general plan process.

June 7, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

California Needs To Follow Sacramento's Regional Planning Model

A recent editorial argues that the successful model of regional planning in the Sacramento region known as the "Blueprint" provides an alternative to sprawl that needs to be applied statewide, and identifies current state legislation to do just that.

June 7, 2007 - The Sacramento Bee

Pennsylvania Struggles With Turnpike Plans

As of late, how to best operate and maintain Pennsylvania's Turnpike has become a hot issue among the state's politicians. Will they ever agree on a solution?

June 5, 2007 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Poor Planning, National Guard Commitments, Leave New Orleans Vulnerable

Poor federal emergency planning; still-shattered public infrastructure; an over-commitment of National Guard equipment in Iraq; and an inadequately repaired levee system are all leaving New Orleans dangerously vulnerable to new storms.

June 5, 2007 - Center for American Progress

Miami's Affordable Housing Crisis

Despite enjoying an unprecedented boom in residential construction, The City of Miami is failing to provide adequate affordable housing units to its most needy citizens.

June 5, 2007 - The Miami Herald

All Disaster Planning Now Under Control of the White House?

In the case of a national emergency such as a Katrina-type storm or an act of terrorism, the White House will assume control over the other branches of government, according to a new Presidential Directive.

June 4, 2007 - The Progressive

Why The Coal-To-Liquid Fuel Alternative Is 'Unacceptable'

Not all energy alternatives are created equal. In fact, some are twice as bad as gasoline from a global warming perspective. This editorial points the finger at coal-to-liquid as the worst of them and cautions Congress not to subsidize the technology

June 2, 2007 - The New York Times

The World's Largest Embassy

Tom Engelhardt explores the architectural and political significance of the mammoth US embassy construction project in Baghdad.

June 2, 2007 - TomDispatch

Stricter Recycling Guidelines Upset Some In Portland

Portland, Oregon, is pushing stricter regulations on the city's waste, mandating that residents and businesses recycle 75% of their waste by 2015. Many businesspeople are upset about the costs that would be associated with compliance.

June 1, 2007 - Portland Business Journal

Questioning Road Expansion In Kansas City Metro Area

On the Kansas side of Metro area, officials still include thinks it needs more roads to ease sprawl created congestion.

June 1, 2007 - The Kansas City Star

Venezuela's Community Councils

In Venezuela, small community councils funded by oil money are popping up all over the country, taking control over local decisions such as public education, infrastructure, and building plans.

June 1, 2007 - NPR

City And School At Odds Over Massive North San Jose Redevelopment Plan

North San Jose's redevelopment plan calls for 32,000 apartments and 7 million sq.ft of industry along the light rail line, but demand for the latter has dropped. Now the school district wants 4 new schools while the city insists only 1 is necessary.

May 30, 2007 - San Jose Mercury News

Running A Better Public Meeting

If public participation is a goal, local government should work harder to make public hearings more user-friendly.

May 30, 2007 - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Vancouver To Atlanta: 'Congestion Is Our Friend'

In their annual trip to cities that work better than theirs does, Atlanta leaders visit Vancouver to see first-hand the benefits of density, transit and regional planning.

May 30, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Climate Protection & Land Use: California Begins To Address The Connection

Land use is finally being addressed in California as an intrinsic part of the state's global warming reduction strategy, thanks to passage of the Global Warming Solutions Act and a recent lawsuit by the attorney general against a sprawling county.

May 30, 2007 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Sending Toronto's Mayor To The Chicago School

Toronto, Canada's largest city, could learn a lot by looking at Chicago, writes Margaret Wente.

May 30, 2007 - The Globe and Mail

Carbon Tax Vs. Carbon Trading

L.A. Times editorial compares carbon taxes and carbon trading schemes and argues that carbon taxes are the best way to combat global warming.

May 29, 2007 - The Los Angeles Times

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Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

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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.