Government / Politics
NYC Mayor's Congestion Pricing Plan Back On Track
Thanks to unbeknownst peace-making by NYC Mayor Bloomberg between the Democratic governor and the Republican Senate Majority leader, his congestion pricing plan has been salvaged with a new deadline for legislative approval set for March 31, 2008.
Privatization Of Parking Feeds City Coffers
By leasing some of its publicly-owned parking facilities to private developers, the city of Minneapolis is taking a large chunk out of its debt and creating a new stream of tax revenue.
Toronto Looks To Casino To Fill Budget Deficit
Politicians in Toronto are looking to large-scale developments centered around casinos to help boost the city's economy. But the provincial legislation in Ontario may prevent the approval of any new casinos.
Building Green? Move To The Front Of The Permit Line
A San Mateo County supervisor is proposing that the county reward developers of environmentally-friendly projects with faster permit approvals.
Friday Funny: Could This Be The End Of Naked Time?
In the wake of a recent wave of people roaming naked in its streets, the Vermont town of Brattleboro is considering imposing a ban on public nudity. Vermont has no state laws against the act.
Bloomberg's Congestion Pricing Plan: What Went Wrong
A detailed look at Mayor Bloomberg's ill-fated congestion pricing plan reveals a series of serious missteps by the normally adept mayor in dealing with the state legislature.
Portland's Smart Growth Pays Dividends, Literally
A new study lays out the annual savings residents of Portland, Oregon enjoy because of the green choices they and their elected leaders have made over the past 50 years.
New British PM Takes On Housing Crisis
In his new role as British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has moved quickly to address the country's housing shortage.
America's Green Technology Is Basis For Stockholm's Congestion Pricing
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman expounds on the use of IBM’s green technology that enables the congestion pricing system to work in Stockholm, the environmental benefits of road pricing to cities, and the ‘green-collar’ jobs they create.
Manhattan Congestion Pricing Plan Stumbles, Falls
State legislators in New York did not schedule a vote on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan, missing a crucial deadline to apply for federal funding -- a move that all but erases the possibility of the plan's approval.
Vancouver Thinks About Building Higher -- And So Do Suburbs
Scarcity of land has prompted officials in Vancouver to consider updating building height restrictions to allow buildings to rise higher. Even neighboring suburbs are thinking about raising their own allowed building heights.
Overturning Kelo?
Two years after the Kelo decision, a new House Bill, the Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2007, seeks to overturn the controversial law permitting the seizure of private property for the benefit of private corporations.
Pittsburgh's Livability: It's The Small Things
The credit for Pittsburgh's recent honor of 'most livable city' goes not to big marketing or development initiatives, but the sum of a lot of small things that make the city and region a good place to live.
Can Planners Fix Scotland's Housing Shortage?
Scotland's shortage of affordable housing is causing many to rethink planning and policy regulations.
India To Draft National Climate Change Plan
Government will draft a policy to address deforestation, melting glaciers, and energy-efficient economic growth but officials did not mention cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Congress To Fund More Affordable Housing
A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to build or rehabilitate 1.5 million affordable homes in the next 10 years. Housing advocates say this is the first step towards solving a growing problem.
The Arts and Austin's Second Street District
Austin's artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses contribute to the vibrancy, help define the identity, and sustain and grow the city's diverse cultures, especially in the burgeoning Second Street District.
Who Is A 'Stakeholder'?
After eight years of existence, neighborhood councils in Los Angeles are still struggling to define who should be involved in their process of advising the city.
Building Incentive's Appeal Is Unlucky Break For Las Vegas
A highly favorable tax incentive for green building in Las Vegas could cost the city up to $50 million per year -- an unintentionally high price tag for a program few were expected to take advantage of.
Manhattan Parking Spot Going For $225,000
Parking spaces in New York cost as much as $225,000 and could soon be going higher still, putting the cost for the prime spots above the price tag of the typical U.S. home price.
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
