Government / Politics
A Scathing Rebuke For LA's Building Department?
The Los Angeles City Controller issues a 235-page audit of the city's Department of Building and Safety. While the report appears to be highly critical, a close reading indicates most problems result from chronic understaffing.
Can Connecticut Avoid Making "Sprawl" Mistakes?
Two leaders of the smart growth movement, former Maryland Gov. Perris Glendening and former New Jersey Gov. and EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, highlight some of the lessons learned from other states.
Court Sides With Neighbor Taking Land Without Payment
A case in New York has reasserted a centuries-old law allowing a user of someone else's land to acquire title without paying for it.
Ridership Plan May Be Thwarting TOD Plans
Caltrain's ridership has increased since it began its express service, but several cities looking to encourage TOD development are calling for restored local service to all stations.
Florida Skips Affordable Housing Requirements
Developers in Palm Beach County didn't even have to twist any arms to get the county zoning commission to drop its affordable housing requirements.
Cleveland Properties Could Face Eminent Domain
As a developer sets his sights on redeveloping some of Cleveland's Cuyahoga Riverfront, the state of Ohio is considering the use of eminent domain to secure the land and ensure the economic development it promises.
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.
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
