Government / Politics
The Political Evolution of San Francisco's Bicycling Community
From monthly 'Critical Mass' bike rides to growing influence on city policy, SF cyclists recount their numerous victories and recent setbacks.
Will Miami Become The Next Great Walkable City?
Through the use of a city-wide form-based code, the City of Miami and Duany Plater-Zyberk and Company are teaming up to create a more walkable, transit-oriented city.
No More Mandatory Retirement For British Columbia
With Baby Boomers moving into their 60s and a significantly smaller population of younger workers, officials in British Columbia have passed a bill that will do away with the province's mandatory retirement age of 65.
Plan To Increase Prison Capacity Meets Criticism
Under pressure from federal judges, California has approved plans to build 53,000 new prison and jail beds as part of a $7.3 billion construction effort. Critics say increasing capacity does not address the reasons why prisons are overcrowded.
New York City Considers Congestion Charges
New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg unveils ambitious sustainability plans.
Mayors Want Regional Cooperation In Suburban Cleveland
A group of suburban mayors in the Cleveland area have proposed combining many of their cities' services to create a regional government structure they say will improve the area's economy and community planning.
Lawmakers Won't Let Go Of Commuter Rail Option
Legislators in Texas are proposing the creation of a commuter rail line running throughout the fast-growing border region near the Rio Grande River. Though the proposal was voted out of the state senate in early April, proponents are pushing forward.
Subsidizing Corporate Chains May Cause Sprawl
Many have criticized city subsidies to lure corporate employers as a wasteful use of taxpayer money, but new evidence has also correlated the subsidies to urban sprawl. Neal Peirce discusses the evidence.
Republicans Warm Up To Fighting Climate Change
Conservative lawmakers are using climate change as a political issue. Environmentalists are not happy.
$900 Billion Insurance Risk From Global Warming
Congressional investigators calculate the insurance risk of crop damage and flooding due to climate change.
County Sued Because General Plan Doesn't Consider Global Warming
In the first suit of its kind in the state, if not the country, a Southern California county was sued by environmental groups because their general plan doesn't consider the effects of global warming. The state attorney general has joined the suit.
Compromised Inclusionary Housing Bill Faces Approval In Baltimore
A controversial inclusionary housing bill is up for approval in Baltimore, Maryland, that would eventually require all new residential projects with 30 or more units to have a certain percentage of affordable housing.
Eyes In The Sky
The Venezuelan government has plans to operate three remote-controlled zeppelins equipped with video cameras to monitor the streets of Caracas, the country's capital, where crime is high. Many are wary of the government's "big brother" tactics.
Uproar Over Land Grabs In Spain
The Spanish housing market is under threat from a growing number of accusations that local town councils are abusing their power to claim land for public developments -- and dedicating land to resort communities and golf courses.
Developers Say Impact Fees Create Uneven Burden
The city of Tucson, Arizona, is considering charging impact fees on new developments to pay for public services, but many developers and business owners say the burden is too heavy.
Have Cities Abandoned The Poor And Middle Class?
A new book argues that most American cities have fully embraced neoliberal policies that encourage gentrification, privatization, and corporate invasion -- at the expense of lower- and middle-class residents.
Colorado Toll Road Goes Private
The Northwest Parkway Public Highway Authority, owner of Colorado's newest toll road (opened 2003), has finalized the bid for leasing the 11-mile road after revenue did not match expectations.
Florida's Growing Tax Chasm
Despite stunning similarities in property values, tax burdens vary greatly in southern Florida, causing fed-up residents to seek relief.
The Link Between Impact Fees And Growth
The city of Tuscon, Arizona is considering adding new impact fees to cover the cost of municipal services, but the new fees might stymie growth and encourage sprawl.
Environmental Lawsuits Fuel Roadbuilding In California
California's Department of Transportation has resorted recently to forcing developers to pay impact fees to fund freeway projects, to the chagrin of developers, local governments, and taxpayer groups.
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
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
