Government / Politics
A Closer Look At Muni's Meltdown
San Francisco's largest transit agency is reviled by many residents because of its service delays and poor management.
Why Bush's New Direction On Global Warming Won't Work
The Kyoto Protocol is a "mess" but a free market approach could help fix its weaknesses.
Brazil's Controversial Amazon Dam Project
Critics warn $11 billion hydroelectric dam project could cause environmental damage while supporters point to economic and infrastructure benefits.
Court Grants Local Power Over Big Box Locations
A California State Supreme Court ruling has given cities and counties broad authority of what type of retail developments can move into their municipalities, and where they can be located. Under the ruling, cities will be able to ban big box stores.
Low-Income Tenants In D.C. Agree To Relocate
Plans to redevelop several ailing housing projects near the U.S. Capitol into mixed-income communities are moving forward after most tenants agree to relocate voluntarily.
Smart Growth Leaders Still Living Low Density American Dream
While encouraging the city's residents to embrace higher densities and public transit, many of Los Angeles's smart growth advocates live in single family homes and commute long distances in cars.
New York Congestion Pricing Plan Gains State And Federal Support
The federal and the state government have announced their support for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan for Manhattan, indicating that the city would most likely receive federal grants to fund the system.
Land Use Policy Paralysis On California Coast
Voters in Monterey County, California, have rejected environmentalists' general plan initiative, and appear to have tossed aside a county-written plan as well. The June 5 election was the latest conflict in the seven-year general plan process.
California Needs To Follow Sacramento's Regional Planning Model
A recent editorial argues that the successful model of regional planning in the Sacramento region known as the "Blueprint" provides an alternative to sprawl that needs to be applied statewide, and identifies current state legislation to do just that.
Pennsylvania Struggles With Turnpike Plans
As of late, how to best operate and maintain Pennsylvania's Turnpike has become a hot issue among the state's politicians. Will they ever agree on a solution?
Poor Planning, National Guard Commitments, Leave New Orleans Vulnerable
Poor federal emergency planning; still-shattered public infrastructure; an over-commitment of National Guard equipment in Iraq; and an inadequately repaired levee system are all leaving New Orleans dangerously vulnerable to new storms.
Miami's Affordable Housing Crisis
Despite enjoying an unprecedented boom in residential construction, The City of Miami is failing to provide adequate affordable housing units to its most needy citizens.
All Disaster Planning Now Under Control of the White House?
In the case of a national emergency such as a Katrina-type storm or an act of terrorism, the White House will assume control over the other branches of government, according to a new Presidential Directive.
Why The Coal-To-Liquid Fuel Alternative Is 'Unacceptable'
Not all energy alternatives are created equal. In fact, some are twice as bad as gasoline from a global warming perspective. This editorial points the finger at coal-to-liquid as the worst of them and cautions Congress not to subsidize the technology
The World's Largest Embassy
Tom Engelhardt explores the architectural and political significance of the mammoth US embassy construction project in Baghdad.
Stricter Recycling Guidelines Upset Some In Portland
Portland, Oregon, is pushing stricter regulations on the city's waste, mandating that residents and businesses recycle 75% of their waste by 2015. Many businesspeople are upset about the costs that would be associated with compliance.
Questioning Road Expansion In Kansas City Metro Area
On the Kansas side of Metro area, officials still include thinks it needs more roads to ease sprawl created congestion.
Venezuela's Community Councils
In Venezuela, small community councils funded by oil money are popping up all over the country, taking control over local decisions such as public education, infrastructure, and building plans.
City And School At Odds Over Massive North San Jose Redevelopment Plan
North San Jose's redevelopment plan calls for 32,000 apartments and 7 million sq.ft of industry along the light rail line, but demand for the latter has dropped. Now the school district wants 4 new schools while the city insists only 1 is necessary.
Running A Better Public Meeting
If public participation is a goal, local government should work harder to make public hearings more user-friendly.
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
