Government / Politics
City Council Votes For Eviction In Kelo Case
The decision Monday further enforces a 2005 Supreme Court decision allowing a Connecticut city's use of eminent domain to increase commercial development, though necessary court approval could delay the eviction of the two final tenants for months.
California County Secession Attempt Fails - Time For Regional Governance?
Political columnist Dan Walters opines on the failure of northern Santa Barbara County to break away and form Mission County. Walters suggests that counties may no longer be relevant and suggests replacing them with regional entities.
An Indictment Of Tax Abatement Incentives
Tax incentives that attract specific corporations to a city, region or state make for bad economic policy, and don't cause real growth. Memphis' Payment-in-Lieu-of-Tax (Pilot) program is used in this article as a case-in-point.
Measure 37-like Initiative Defeated In Napa County, California
As with Oregon's Measure 37, a property-rights group sponsored a measure to compensate land owners for losses resulting from county land use decisions. Though defeated, a similar measure, "Protect our Homes", will appear on the November state ballot.
'Category 5 Foolishness'
An interview with environmentalist journalist and author David Helvarg about hurricanes, coastal development, New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and Bush administration policies.
Transportation Taxes, Property Rights Initiatives Lose In California
While many eyes were on the Democratic primary, CP&DR was focused on California's land use ballot measures. Voters said no to sales tax increases for transportation purposes in five central and northern California counties.
'Out of Proportion' Security Measures Damaging Nation's Capital
Plans for a massive new Pentagon-sized Homeland Security complex threaten to ruin one of the finest vistas in Washington, D.C.
Chinese Government Publishes Review Of Recent Environmental Policies
The State Council Information Office publishes a white paper entitled "Environmental Protection in China (1996-2005)", which "gives a systematic introduction to the unremitting efforts made...in environmental protection over the past ten years."
'Landmark' Bill To Allow Sale Of Public Land To Finance Development
Growth advocates applaud a bill to sell public land to finance local projects but conservationists are worried about what they consider a dangerous trend that benefits only developers.
'Banking' On Open Space In Florida
Bedroom community Maitland wants to convert its strip commercial core to a downtown, but guidelines mandate open space. Redefining 'open space' has opened a door to greater intensity -- and controversy.
Will Environmentalist Impact Bush Cabinet?
Henry Paulson, "global warming believer" and current chair of Goldman Sachs and the Nature Conservancy, has been nominated by Bush to succeed John Snow as Treasury Secretary.
NYC's Homeland Security Funding Slashed
While cities that have never suffered terrorism are receiving large increases in homeland security funding, New York City's allocation is being cut by 40 percent after faulty analysis omits reference to iconic sites, critics charge.
A Disturbing Insider's Look At New York City's 'Rentocrats'
Nora Ephron breaks the "code of silence" of Manhattan's exclusive rent-regulated tenants when she publishes an account in The New Yorker of bribing her way into an eight-room apartment for $1,500 a month.
Reframing New Jersey's Competitive Challenge
New research by the Brookings Institution ties New Jersey's troubling economic position to multiple forces, including rising housing costs, persistent race, class and place disparities, and unbalanced development patterns.
'Smart Card' Technology Proving Troublesome To Bay Area Transit Operators
Once hailed the transit-pay mechanism of the future, the cards have become one of Bay Area transit's biggest flops. Yet the money keeps flowing while the costs keep rising.
The Selling Of A Failing State Toll Road
Indiana's governor explains how he solved his state's transportation budget gap using private capital rather than public funds -- by leasing the 157-mile Indiana Toll Road for $3.8 billion to a foreign consortium.
Friday Funny: The Committee To Save Big Ugly Things
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has produced a spoof political ad to mock the preservation of the city's controversial Alaskan Way Viaduct, although he may run into ethics violations for using a City Hall production crew.
Problems With Water Privatization
Water privatization brings a flood of problems in U.S. cities. Is this a preview of a global issue?
Should Illinois Sell Its State Tollway?
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Ralph Martire says that the project warrants careful analysis before the state decides to sell-off a profit-making asset to reduce deficit.
Governor Pataki Gets Tough On New York's Coal-Fired Power Plants
Pataki plans to require drastic cuts in mercury emissions from the state's power plants, going further than Bush's new standards, and angering the business community, which fears the tough standards may force coal-burning plants to close.
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
