Government / Politics
Giving Regionalism A Chance
A non-profit group is trying to convince Nashville-area cities and counties to engage in regional planning and cooperation to halt the region's fast-expanding sprawl.
Take Another 'Big Look' In Oregon
Planners and politicians are calling for a revival of Oregon's "Big Look" -- a broad effort to refresh the state's urban growth and land use planning policies.
Adressing Congestion Now More Politically Feasible
Congestion issues are high on many lists of urgent urban issues. Politicians and governments are now easing up to the formerly-avoided expense of improving highways and roads.
Eminent Domain Evoked As Landowner Demands Market Rate
A landowner who insisted on selling his property to a local municipality at the market rate had his land seized through eminent domain. Many are calling for a condemnation of the city's action.
Border Walls Fight Immigration, Hurt Environment
Border walls along the U.S.-Mexico are being called out by environmentalists for creating negative impacts on the area's environment and local ecology.
Raising Turnpike Tolls Will Be Key To Reducing NJ State Deficit
Governor Jon Corzine finally explained that a key strategy to reduce New Jersey's staggering $32 billion debt will be to substantially increase tolls on the 3 major state toll roads, using the revenue to form a public corporation to issue bonds.
From The Toilet To The Fields
Detroit city officials have approved a plan to recycle the city's waste sludge into fertilizer.
Zoning Laws May Give Locals Control Over Slot Plan
In 2008, Maryland voters will consider a plan to allow slot gambling machines in the state. But local zoning regulations could trump the state law, giving communities control over whether the machines are allowed or not.
Highway Tolling Bill Up For Consideration In Washington
Seeking a way to fund the state's many transit and transportation projects, officials in Washington are considering a plan that would put a highway tolling bill in front of the state legislature early next year -- a bill many believe would pass.
First Leg Of Second Ave Subway Receives $1.3 Billion In Federal Funds
The first (of four) phases of the infamous Second Ave. subway is ready to begin construction thanks to the approval of $1.3 billion in federal financing, enabling the long-delayed line to be built from 92nd to 63rd streets in Manhattan.
Cities Consider Forming Own Agencies After Metro Transit Funding Measure Fails
A measure that would have increased funding for Milwaukee-area commuter transit was recently voted down, fueling a push for neighboring cities to break away and form their own transit agencies.
Transit Riders Challenge Edmonton City Councillors To Take The Bus
The Transit Riders' Union of Edmonton has challenged city councilors in Edmonton, Alberta to give up their private vehicles. Four councilors will rely exclusively on public transit for the next week.
Land Use Planning And Climate Change May Be Linked In Lawsuits
While Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has received fame for making global warming a priority, he has studiously avoided the land use connection. Not so for California's attorney general, who is tackling the issue head on, even warning of litigation.
San Jose: 'Not For Sale By Owner'
Economist Peter Gordon reflects on a recent tour of San Jose, California -- where the so-called "revitalized" downtown is dead and nearly one-third of the city is blighted.
Measure 49 Only A Small Step Back From Measure 37
This editorial from The Oregonian argues that even though Measure 49 passed, it is only a slight step backward on an irreversible path towards more property rights in Oregon.
Seeking Solutions To New York's Pigeon Problem
A city councilman in New York City is looking to counteract the city's pigeon problem by charging a $1,000 fine to anyone caught feeding the birds.
Congress Members May Oppose Funding For California High Speed Rail
A dispute over two possible routes for California's high-speed rail line has elevated to members of Congress formally opposing federal funding for a route that does not include their districts.
Is Michael Bloomberg America's Ken Livingstone?
Sounding eerily similar to his London counterpart, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called on the federal government to adopt a national carbon tax. Bloomberg is currently pushing congestion pricing similar to London's program implemented in 2003.
Measure 37 Projects Up In Air After Passage Of Measure 49
With the passage of Oregon's Measure 49, some development projects already approved under the now-overturned Measure 37 may be in limbo as the courts determine whether they can be completed.
The Music Of Failed Planning
Some urban planning projects are so frustratingly bad you just have to sing about them ... or at least find some songs to help vent that frustration. This blog post from Stuck Between Stations finds those songs.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
