Government / Politics

Botswanan Bush People Regain Rights To Ancestral Lands

Bushmen have won a long court case against the Botswanan government for illegally removing them from their ancestral lands. The ruling is expected to set a standard for other indigenous people in the protection of their ancestral lands.

December 18, 2006 - BBC

Measuring Detroit's Vital Signs

Model D uses the new CEO's For Cities report to analyze Detroit's strengths (more than you might think) and its weaknesses.

December 17, 2006 - Model D

The Battle Over Funding For Regional Rail In Texas

A regional rail system is being planned for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but lawmakers can't agree on how the project will be funded.

December 15, 2006 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Taking Homes For Parking? Think Again!

A back door plan to use eminent domain to provide additional parking for a main street shopping district creates outrage in a Chicago area community.

December 15, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

An Air Quality Version Of An Economic Enterprise Zone?

In a bold, creative attempt to bring more federal and state funds to solve the air pollution problem in California's Central Valley, local leaders hope to declare the region an "air quality empowerment zone".

December 14, 2006 - The Sacramento Bee

Avoiding The 'Local Trap'

With "localism" being trumpeted by all sides of the political spectrum, maybe it's time to ask if local needs are better served by nation states, writes Doug Saunders.

December 13, 2006 - The Globe & Mail

National Drought Policy Bill Heads To Bush For Approval

The U.S. Senate recently approved legislation seeking to create a national drought policy to improve drought preparedness, mitigation and response efforts. It is estimated that drought conditions have a $6 billion economic impact annually.

December 10, 2006 - New Mexico Business Weekly

Baltimore Officials Debate Inclusionary Zoning Proposals

The city's planning director, along with several other department heads, challenge a proposal from the city council to require developers to set aside affordable units.

December 10, 2006 - The Baltimore Sun

Inhofe: Global Warming is 'Mass Delusion'

Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-OK) blames the media for hyping coverage of climate change.

December 9, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

New York's Congestion Pricing Debate

Though a growing chorus of business and community groups is calling for congestion pricing in Manhattan to ease traffic, a comprehensive citywide plan may be the only way the idea can actually move forward.

December 8, 2006 - The Gotham Gazette

California Land Use Law Expert Passes Away

Daniel J. Curtin Jr., a former Walnut Creek city attorney who was known as the dean of California land use law, died this week at 73.

December 7, 2006 - East Bay Business Times

Blakely Chosen To Head New Orleans Recovery

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin has appointed as the city's new recovery czar Edward J. Blakely, the man who played an instrumental role in recovery planning after the 1989 San Francisco Bay Area earthquake and the 1991 Oakland fires.

December 6, 2006 - The Times Picayune

Supreme Court Considers Global Warming Rules Case

The long-awaited Supreme Court case, Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 05-1120, that will determine whether the EPA should regulate carbon dioxide as an air pollutant from motor vehicles was heard on Nov. 29.

December 1, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Voters, Ballots...Action!

In both Red and Blue states, voters cast their lot with getting things done during this year's midterm election. The Brookings Institution provides a rundown of all the ballot box results.

December 1, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Most Americans Oppose New Development

The latest results from an annual survey once again confirms that a large majority of citizens are unsupportive of more growth and development in their communities.

November 30, 2006 - Globe St.com

An Urban Agenda For An Urban Age

Bruce Katz, Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute, highlights the need for set of new policies for managing the complexity of 21st century cities.

November 28, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Will Leaders Heed Grassroots Election Message?

Voters in Michigan and elsewhere are increasingly supportive of public expenditures for transit and open space, but many public officials don't seem to be paying much attention to shifting taxpayer priorities.

November 28, 2006 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Using A Land Value Tax To Keep Speculation In Check

By taxing land more than buildings, cities can encourage valuable sites to be used productively, rather than banked by investors hoping for even higher prices.

November 27, 2006 - St. Paul Pioneer Press

Voters Elect Wind Energy Advocate To Congress

Soft-spoken mathematician and wind energy advocate Jerry McNerney defeated Rep. Richard W. Pombo, an opponent of the Endangered Species act.

November 23, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Memphis Weighs Annexation of 37,000

A final Memphis City Council approval this week may annex more than 37,000 residents into the city, as well as several million dollars a year in property taxes, and seven schools from the annexation areas.

November 23, 2006 - The Memphis Flyer

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.

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