Government / Politics
Wal-Mart Forced To Increase Health Benefits In Maryland
A new state bill, opposed by the governor, will apply only to the corporate giant.
New Jersey: 'We're More Than A Turnpike'
No, this was not the new state slogan selected after close to 12,000 votes among five finalists.
Not All Buying In To New Orleans Master Plan
New Orleans residents are challenging the plans for rebuilding.
Public Parks More Important Than Schools?
Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne decides to use a budget surplus on expanding the state park system, when many expected more educational funding.
Not Even Chump Change For D.C. Residents In MLB Deal
A mysterious figure is waging a lone campaign to revamp the city's arrangement with professional baseball on the Washington National's new stadium.
Judge Rules On Parade Case, Right To Assemble
The New York City law restricting "parading without a permit" is ruled unconstitutional, with implications for bikers and other organized groups.
Congestion Charges Begin In Stockholm, Met With Disfavor
Europe's second congestion pricing program has been put into effect. Unlike London's (a plan promoted by mayor-to-be Ken Livingston), the Stockholm program was initiated by the city's Green Party, though with the support of Social Democrats.
New Orleans' Plan For Rebuilding To Be Released
New Orleans' official plan for rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina is expected to be released Wednesday, and may conflict with recommendations in the state plan.
Unlikely Representative Brings Louisiana Recovery Plan To the Forefront
The relatively unknown State Representative Richard H. Baker (R) of Baton Rouge has outlined a massive government plan to help Katrina battered Louisiana rebuild.
Funds Run Out for 'Reconstructing' Iraq
The Bush Administration is not going to renew reconstruction dollars for Iraq once the present funding ends in June 2007.
Illinois Wrestles With Eminent Domain
This January Illinois lawmakers and citizens are set to do battle over the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the use of eminent domain for private economic development.
Clean Air, Cheap Energy, Or Jobs?
Closing a massive coal-fired power planet will result in cleaner air, more expensive energy, and a massive job and royalty income loss for the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nations.
EPA's New Fuel Efficiency Ratings May Reduce Vehicle Models
Auto manufacturers have been required to meet overall efficiency standards for their fleets. More realistic CAFE ratings may translate into fewer of the more popular but less fuel-efficient models on showroom floors next year.
World Trade Center Redevelopment to Have Residential Component
With a decisive win in his re-election, Mayor Bloomberg spoke to his priorities for his final term as chief of the the US's largest city in his second inaugural address on New Year's Day: Affordable housing and the World Trade Center.
Building Industry May Sue Air District Over Aggressive New Pollution Fee Rule
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in December, 2005 approved the Indirect Source Rule, making it the first Air District in the US to regulate land uses, much to the ire of the building industry. Will they take the Air District to court?
Affordable Housing Controversy in New York City.
What is the appropriate level of subsidization that affordable housing developers should receive? The article also describes New York City's unique inclusionary housing benefits.
Solar Permitting Fees Plummet After Study Shows Wide Cost Discrepancies
The Global Warming & Energy Committee of the Sierra Club chapter in Silicon Valley decide to highlight the excessive permitting charges of some local cities... and results happen.
Detroit's Finest Landmarks Receive Controversial Super Bowl Cleanup
The City of Detroit's effort to put a better face on the downtown for Super Bowl Sunday has its share of critics, as most of the $12 million set aside for streetscape and building facade improvement has gone to locations that need it the least.
Boston's Big Dig Faces Another Cost Increase
Government officials say that the cost of Boston's yet to be completed $14.6 billion dollar megaproject could increase by as much as $75 million dollars, an increase that would be absorbed by Massachusetts taxpayers.
Britian To Track Every Car Trip
Using a network of thousands of CCTV cameras which will be able to read license plates, Britain will be first country to monitor every car journey on all motorways and main roads. Data will be stored for two years.
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
