Government / Politics
Push-Pull Commuter Trains OK'd For Now
A bill to ban push-pull commuter trains in California was amended to include an independent study after commuter rail operators and their advocates objected to the costs the ban would impose.
One Of The Last Company Towns In America Is For Sale
Residents of Scotia, CA, hope that their community can retain its unique after the sale.
Flexcar Exec Discusses The End Of Portland Subsidy
Bill Scott, director of the Flexcar car-sharing program in Portland, discusses the city's decision to end its subsidies to the company and to charge Flexcar for all the parking revenue the program denies the city.
Miami's Preeminent Suburb Turns Ten
Meticulously planned down to the last cul-de-sac, Weston, Florida continues to be Miami's most sought after suburb.
Do Community Benefits Agreements Corrupt The Planning Process?
Critics in New York City cite that community groups and city officials are often swayed to approve projects by unrelated freebies provided by the developer.
'Boot Camp' Teaches City Officials About Ethics
Ethics specialists wearing "moral compasses" as necklaces spent two days taking elected officials from Florida, Texas, and Arizona through various exercises in ethical governance.
When Farm Subsidies Go Bad
The Washington Post finds that the government has paid over $1.3 billion in agricultural subsidies to non-farmers, under a decades-old policy intended to eliminate subsidies. The policies are changing land use patterns in the Farm Belt.
Kelo Home To Be Relocated In Eminent Domain Settlement
The house of Susette Kelo, the plaintiff in the landmark eminent domain lawsuit will be relocated as part of an undisclosed settlement.
Germany Loosens Its Carbon Emission Restrictions
Germany is straying from the European Union's stated goals of compliance with the Kyoto Protocol by postponing emission reduction requirements for some of the country's largest and most polluting industries.
Californians To Vote On Property Rights Initiative In November
"Kelo" comes to California on Nov. 7 when voters will consider the "Protect Our Homes" initiative. Having qualified for the ballot, the initiative may sharply restrict local government's ability to regulate land use, similar to Oregon's Measure 37.
Eminent Domain Backlashes 'Aren't Strong Enough'
"Community rights" do not exist, and since legislators and much of the public have "gone squishy" over individual property rights, more action is needed to restrict eminent domain powers, according to this op-ed.
First New U.S. Nuclear Facility In 30 Years Could Open In 2009
The $1.5 billion National Enrichment Facility in New Mexico just received its license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The facility will produce the enriched uranium that powers nuclear energy plants. Construction may begin in August.
U.S. Transportation Chief Resigns
Longest serving member of the Bush cabinet, Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta has resigned.
Environmental Law Halts Bike Plan In San Francisco
A 1970 environmental law, the California Environmental Quality Act, was used to temporarily halt San Francisco's bike plan from being implemented. The law ensures environmental review of projects that plaintiff's felt was inadequate for the plan.
Georgia County Battles Breakaway City Over Parkland
The Fulton County commission's decision to sell park land in one of the Southeast's wealthiest counties could set a precedent that would have far-reaching consequences for other government entities looking for solutions to a financial crisis.
Poor State of U.S. Cities' Disaster Planning of 'Significant National Concern'
A new report from the Department of Homeland Security shows that, despite 9/11 and recent natural disasters, most U.S. city and state governments have not implemented adequate disaster plans.
City Council Approves Dallas Comprehensive Plan
The plan seeks to expand the city's mixed use development and improve transit options. An alternative version of the plan, recommended by the City Plan Commission, was voted down as the city council opted for the original, slightly amended plan.
Is Sprawl Good For Montreal?
Wendell Cox argues for the "upside of sprawl", or "suburbanization" as he prefers to call it, in Montreal.
Louisiana Island Has That Sinking Feeling
A small Louisiana island community faces the inevitability of losing their homes to the ocean, while the federal government plans a levee system that will exclude them.
Miami's Metro Rail Expansion May Be Foiled By Local University
Even with projections that call for a large increase in students, faculty, and therefore congestion, officials at Florida International University are rejecting the Miami-Dade Transit Authority's best laid plans for alleviating traffic.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
