Government / Politics
Study Documents Dramatic Voter Support For Transit Ballot Measures
This report looks at a new trend in transportation financing, as communities in 33 different states have approved more than $70 billion in new transportation investment between 2000 and 2005.
TDR Not As Easy As It Sounds
A new report finds that the transfer of development rights from one area to another is simple in concept, but difficult in implementation.
Affluent Community Torn By Housing Allocation Numbers
In Palo Alto, California, -- one of the country's most affluent and least affordable cities -- the City Council and residents are now wrestling with a regional housing allocation assigned by the Association of Bay Area Governments.
UK To Ditch Road-Pricing Plans
Plans to roll out a nationwide road-pricing system in the UK may be dropped.
Congress To Look At Chicago's Olympic Bid And Transit Needs
At a time when funding is a major concern, a congressional hearing later this month will look at the transportation needs of Chicago as it tries to win hosting duties for the 2016 Olympics.
Desperate Times As Drought Diminishes Supplies
The most severe drought in the last 100 years has states and municipalities scrambling to conserve what little water they have left.
Bigger Homes May Lose Out On Mortgage Interest Deduction
A proposed graduated scale based on the size of homes would chop away at the federal tax deductions for mortgage interest that property owners are allowed to claim. The cutback would affect all homes larger than 3,000 square feet.
European Cities Move On Climate Change
Cities in Europe are not letting the lack of an international compact on climate change stop them from taking efforts to reduce their impact on the planet.
Miami's Botched Foreign Trade Zone Development
What could have been an economic development homerun for Miami's Wynwood neighborhood has turned out to be a miserable failure. Nonetheless, hope remains that new ownership can restore the site's promising potential.
Garbage Strike Creating 'Smugglers' In Vancouver
A strike in the city of Vancouver that has left residents without garbage collection for nearly three months has caused people to get creative -- and a little sneaky -- in how they get rid of their trash.
Bike-Friendly Portland Seeks Citywide Rental System
Portland, Oregon, looks to follow the lead of Paris in instituting a bike rental system throughout the city. Bids are requested for a pilot fleet of 500 bikes.
To Military Planners, 'Cities are the Problem'
Nick Turse reports on the recent "Joint Urban Operations" conference, where participants discussed the highly advanced military technologies being contemplated for use in the slums of the global south.
Thirsty For A 'Green' Lifestyle? Drink Tap Water
A recent survey show that tap water outperforms bottled water, which bodes well for cities and citizens concerned about the environmental impacts of the billion dollar bottled water industry.
Local Measures Downsize McMansions
Cities across the country are passing measures to limit the size of new homes -- an attack on the much-derided "McMansionization" of America. Restrictions range from outright bans to innovative cap-and-trade schemes.
L.A. OKs Sidewalk Sleeping
City officials in Los Angeles have come to a settlement with homeless advocates that will allow anyone to sleep on the sidewalk until the city builds 1,250 affordable housing units, which could take up to five years.
Affordable Housing Bill May Face Veto
A Bill advocating the formation of an affordable housing trust fund will likely be vetoed by the Bush White House, which believes the program is unnecessary.
Toll Roads Struggle To Gain Political Consensus
Pressure is building to come to a decision about whether or not to toll roads in Massachusetts. But many politicians are opposed.
Will New York Force Homeowners To Plant A Tree?
To help reach its goal of planting 1 million new trees by 2030, the city is contemplating a new rule that would force homeowners and developers to plant new street trees when buildings are remodeled.
Measuring The Impact Of Maryland's Smart Growth Plans
Though former governor Parris Glendening is often seen as the father of smart growth, studies indicate that even with the state's efforts, little progress has been towards reigning in sprawl.
Planning Skakeup In Salt Lake City
Responding to pressure from neighborhood residents and a poor grade from a government audit, the city's planning department will be reorganized to ensure proper procedures are followed.
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
