Government / Politics
Developer's Sway Reroutes Rail, Upsets Residents
Salt Lake City residents are upset over a developer using his powerful clout to reroute a planned light rail line so it would not interfere with access points to his shopping mall.
Can Britain Go Carbon-Neutral?
This article from the Guardian looks at the feasibility of putting in place a recently-announced proposal to make Britain carbon-neutral by 2050.
City Opposed As Struggling Neighbor Seeks Merger
Facing the possibility of not being able to afford service by county sheriffs, the city of West Park, Florida, is hoping to forfeit its cityhood and join up with neighboring Pembroke Park. But Pembroke Park is less than enthusiastic about a merger.
Bill Seeks To Limit Tax Deductions For McMansions
Climate change legislation that is expected to be introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives next month includes a provision that eliminates a tax deduction for any home over 3,000 square feet.
Transportation Is Biggest Loser In New California Budget
California's 52-day delayed budget was just signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger and the biggest loser is transportation -- to the tune of $1.3 billion. Public transit agencies will be taking the biggest hit of all.
Lawsuit Over General Plan Ignoring Global Warming Settled
A widely watched lawsuit by California's attorney general against the state's fastest growing county over the issue of inventorying and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the update of a county general plan has been settled.
Disneyland Takes Rezoning To Ballot
The housing saga continues in Anaheim, California, as the Disney Corporation has pushed a referendum into next June's city ballot that will let voters decide if housing should be allowed in the Disneyland-adjacent "Resort District".
After Brief Pause, Naked Time Will Resume
Despite thousands of signatures in its support, a proposed law that would have banned public nudity in the city of Brattleboro, Vermont, was voted down recently. A temporary ban will end next month.
The Manhattanization Of L.A.
In this piece from the Los Angeles Times, Joel Kotkin writes about how L.A. politicians are blindly following the lead of developers in densifying the city without adequately debating the consequences.
Wal-Mart Town Center Project Is Missing The Town Center
In North Lauderdale, Florida, a Wal-Mart-anchored town center is struggling to live up to its promises.
Good Management The Secret To Successful Communities
Cerritos, California, has become one of the more successful suburbs of Los Angeles by applying superb management techniques.
California Publishes New Hazard Mitigation Draft Plan
The California Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) is the state's plan for reshaping and strengthening the built environment to significantly reduce disaster losses created by natural and human-caused hazards.
Is Transportation Infrastructure The Basis Of A North American Union?
Plans to construct a trans-Texas highway corridor have theorists speculating that this transportation infrastructure is the first step in a secret plan to create a North American union between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Outsourcing City Hall
Four unincorporated communities in Atlanta have become new cities...and outsourced neary all government services to private corporations.
Push For Light Rail, BRT On Bridge Replacement Meets Resistance
The city of Minneapolis wants plans for the collapsed Interstate 35W to include the possible future implementation of space for light rail and bus rapid transit. The state department of transportation, however, has a differing vision.
Flood Victims Call On Government To Limit Flood Plain Development
Residents of a British town that was recently flooded gathered to demonstrate against governmental housing plans that do not advise against building in flood plains.
Honolulu Traffic Best Dealt With Incrementally
This editorial from the Honolulu Star-Tribune looks at Oahu's traffic issues and how the baby steps proposed by the Honolulu City Council may be more effective than grand-scale transit plans.
Federal Government Encourages Car Use While Fighting Congestion
Despite the federal government's recently-awarded grants to support toll roads and other measures to reduce traffic congestion, many subsidies still exist that encourage car use.
Measure 37 Causes Billboard Blight In Oregon
An unintended effect of Measure 37 -- Oregon's controversial 2004 land use law -- is that homeowners are allowed to build giant billboards on their property. Some have, and local officials are hoping a new ballot measure will address the issue.
Mike Davis Discusses Dubai
In this interview, urbanist Mike Davis talks about the rapidly growing emirate of Dubai.
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
