Government / Politics

Idaho Says "No" To Coal-Fired Power Plants

Idaho Rep. Gov. Risch reversed his predecessor's position on allowing new coal plants to be built in Idaho by opting out of a federal mercury emissions trading program. By doing so, the state has shown bi-partisan opposition to coal power plants.

August 12, 2006 - The Idaho Statesman

Idaho Proposition Threatens Land Use Law

Planners are spooked by a Measure 37 look-a-like bill that spills over into Idaho.

August 12, 2006 - The Boise Weekly

A Battle For Open Space In Maryland

50 acres of woodland are up for sale in Maryland, and while a developer has scoped the land as a good site for 25 homes, local residents are pressuring local and state officials to employ a little-used open space funding program to buy up the land.

August 12, 2006 - The Baltimore Sun

Measuring Quality Of Life In The Treasure Valley Region

A report by Institute for Urban & Regional Planning at Boise State University looks at competitiveness and quality of life of the Treasure Valley.

August 11, 2006 - Boise State University Public Policy Center

Philadelphia's Skyscraper Boom

The recent building spree of high rises in Philadelphia requires more oversight from planners if it is to truly benefit the city, argues one critic.

August 11, 2006 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Reason's Annual Privatization Report, 2006

Reason's Annual Privatization Report chronicles and analyzes the most important developments in privatization, outsourcing, and government reform.

August 11, 2006 - Reason Foundation

Small Urban Farms Show Success In Cuba

Small organic farms are scattered throughout Cuba that have been providing food for the country ever since the fall of the Soviet empire 20 years ago. The collaboration between the government and local farmers has benefited the whole country.

August 11, 2006 - The Independent

FEMA Awards Housing Contracts For Katrina Work

Based on quality of plans and competitiveness of bidding, billions of dollars in housing contracts were awarded to six companies, some with immediate political ties to the current administration.

August 11, 2006 - Yahoo! News

Property Tax Increases Outstrip Personal Income Growth

Nationwide, the rise of personal property tax bills has nearly doubled as compared to the level of personal income in the years 2000-2004.

August 11, 2006 - The New York Times

The City of Brotherly Love...And Gambling

Philadelphia is set to become the largest city in the nation with casinos, but boosters worry that the gaming venues won't fit with the city's recent revitalization.

August 10, 2006 - The Next American City

Giving Teens A Say In Community Plans

Teenagers in Providence, Rhode Island, are getting a taste of classic planning issues.

August 8, 2006 - Rhode Island News

Inclusionary Housing Doesn't Work

An economist with the National Association of Home Builders argues that government mandated inclusionary housing has good goals but negative consequences.

August 8, 2006 - The Orlando Sentinel

Why High Gas Prices Haven't Affected Driving Behavior

As gasoline prices settle at $3/gallon, oil consumption continues to climb.

August 8, 2006 - The Denver Post

California Fuel Tax Proposal Called Into Question

The proposed measure, which would raise taxes on petrol to fund conservation and alternative energy efforts, is under fire due to benefits it would provide one of its major backers.

August 7, 2006 - The Sacramento Bee

Small Town Leading Efforts To Be More Inclusive

Bluffton, Indiana, is one of many small cities across the country making renewed efforts towards creating racial harmony in hopes of spurring economic development.

August 7, 2006 - USA Today

Global Warming Bill Represents A Quandary For Shwarzenegger

Having just signed an historic environmental accord with PM Blair, CA Gov. Schwarzenegger will soon face a bill that ties him to his rhetoric - the first bill in the nation to cap greenhouse gas emissions, that has been targeted by Big Business.

August 7, 2006 - The Associated Press via The Desert Sun

Americans Disapprove Of Bush's Environmental Policies

Poll finds majority of Americans are unhappy with the Bush administration's environmental policies.

August 7, 2006 - Abhijeet Chavan

Urban Fables: The Role Of Storytelling And Imagery In Successful Planning Movements

New Urbanists and pro-property rights advocates have made good use of both allegory and myth to capture the attention of planners and the public.

August 7, 2006 - Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP

Property Rights Votes Face Six States

Libertarians are pushing ballot initiatives in six Western states to vastly reduce the government's power to regulate land uses. The initiatives seek to limit regulatory takings of land by requiring the government to compensate owners for any losses.

August 7, 2006 - High Country News

Markets Attack, Or, Why Plan?

UCLA planning professor and blogger Randall Crane revisits the markets vs planning debate, but this time from a position of moral and intellectual superiority.

August 7, 2006 - Randall Crane's Urban Planning Research

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.