Government / Politics
Is Your City Watching You?
New York City has plans to install a permanent closed-circuit camera system throughout the city. It is based on a similar system in London, which some credit with preventing terrorist acts. But the system's constitutionality is a major concern.
Britain's New Prime Minister Targets Affordable Housing
2 weeks into office, Gordon Brown has announced plans for a number of reforms to streamline planning, expand social housing programs, and develop 3 million new homes by 2020.
The Battle Over San Francisco's Parking Policy
Developers and businesses opposed to the city's smart growth-friendly parking limits are fighting back with a proposed ballot measure to reinstate minimum parking requirements.
Politics And Assembly Report Appear To Doom NYC Congestion Plan
In a bizarre unfolding of political events in Albany, it appears that the London-style congestion pricing plan proposed by Mayor Bloomberg will be replaced by a simplified TDM approach including telecommuting incentives and funding for express buses.
Embracing Congestion May Save County Money
Facing a transportation funding shortage, a county supervisor in Washington has proposed letting some roadways get more crowded and congested to save the money that would have been spent to improve them -- money the county doesn't have.
Power To The People
The British government is working on the details of a pilot program that will create small neighborhood councils that would control public money and make decisions on various infrastructure and civic projects.
Ex-Official Says Seattle Stopped Listening
Seattle's public participation process has served as an example for cities across the globe, but the former city official who was instrumental in creating that reputation says the city's current leadership has moved away from that model.
From Parking To Parks
The city of Chicago has leased four parking garages to generate more than $122 million for improvements to the city's parks.
Friday Funny: Babysteps To Global Domination
New mapping has revealed that part of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border is actually intruding on Mexican land, usurping between 1 and 6 feet of Mexican soil for more than a mile. The U.S. insists it was a mistake, but Mexico wants its land back.
An Endangered Act
The bald eagle has made a heartening recovery from the brink of extinction. But hundreds of other species are now in grave danger due to slashed budgets, Bush administration policies, and political interference in science.
The New Orleans Conspiracy
NOLA human rights lawyer Bill Quigley outlines what he believes were thirty-three deliberate actions on the part of the federal government to undermine recovery in New Orleans.
New Noise Code For The City That Never Sleeps
New York City has approved tighter regulations on noise in the city, an effort officials hope will improve the quality of life for residents in the notoriously noisy city.
Bogotá vs Curitiba
UCLA Professor Randall Crane blogs about his observations on the differences between Curitiba, Brazil and Bogotá, Colombia.
Five Questions With Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk
Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk discusses Miami 21, the City of Miami's effort to rezone the entire city using the principles of the new urbanism.
How Cheney Undercut Environmental Rules To Benefit Businesses
How the vice president intervened on behalf of businesses in cases such as the Klamath River dispute, the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, Clinton-era land protection measures, and the resignation of former EPA chief Christine Todd Whitman.
Closing The 'Hummer Tax Loophole'
Members of Congress seek to close a loophole that enabled those buy gas-guzzling SUVs to claim a tax deduction of up to $25,000. Auto makers and dealers oppose the idea calling it a "tax increase".
Mayors' Influence Going Beyond City Limits
Mayors are becoming more active -- and more visible -- beyond their jurisdictions. This article looks at how the role of the mayor is changing.
Minneapolis Neighborhoods Wrestle With Mansionization
Several neighborhoods in the southwestern corner of the city are hoping that the city will clamp down on monster homes, but builders and Realtors aren't going down without a fight.
State Will Use Traffic Fines To Fuel Road Projects
As of July 1, Virginia drivers have lots to fear if they break traffic laws –- huge traffic fines, so as to help pay for the roads they drive on.
Man Recieves First 'Mississippi Cottage'
David Biggs, a lifelong resident of Moss Point, Mississippi, is overjoyed with his new modular cottage, a marked improvement over FEMA trailers.
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
