Government / Politics

Florida Wetland Permits Debate Heats Up

Environmental groups are warring with Congressmen on making wetland permitting more 'accessible'.

November 3, 2005 - The St. Petersburg Times

China Considers Ending Urban Residency Permit System

Millions of rural Chinese have moved to the largest cities, seeking jobs, but without formal access or rights to services. Chinese officials are concerned that the unequal treatment of urban and rural residents may lead to social instability.

November 3, 2005 - BBC News

Federal City in NOLA proposed

A proposal for local military bases is added to the hurricane recovery package.

November 3, 2005 - The Times Picayune

Planning for Post-Republican America

David W. Orr. believes that the Bush administration is about to self-destruct, and with it, its approach to science, environment, climate change and energy; it's time to start planning for what will replace it.

November 3, 2005 - CommonDreams

Recognizing Planning As A Leadership Position

Philadelphia's Mayor proposes to include the director of the city's planning commission in his cabinent.

November 2, 2005 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Environmentalists Worried About Alito's Record

Environmentalists in D.C. have spent the last 24 hours digging through Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's extensive paper trail for clues as to how he might vote on environmental cases were he confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court justice.

November 2, 2005 - Grist Magazine

Sierra Club, Homebuilders Unite To Beat Ballot Initiatives

While Sierra Club and Greenbelt Alliance battle developers in the East Bay, the scene is the opposite in the South Bay community of Cupertino, home to Apple Computer. Here, they hold hands opposing 3 restrictive land use measures.

November 1, 2005 - San Jose Mercury News

Bush's Odd Decisions After Katrina Will Leave Deep Scars

After the flood waters have receeded, Odd decisions by the Bush administration reagarding the rebuilding effort will make Katrina hurt again, say Neil Peirce.

November 1, 2005 - AlterNet

Budget Cuts Imperil 2010 Census

A $17 million cut in funding could imperil critical source of planning information.

October 31, 2005 - Washington Post

Study Disputes Claim Of 'Bad Business Climate' In California

Governor Davis was recalled, in part, because of the "bad business climate" in California. Now a study from the reputable Public Policy Institute of California refutes the charge that businesses were leaving the state.

October 26, 2005 - The Sacramento Bee

Preserving Open Space Vs. Green Building

A developer proposes to extend a voter-approved Urban Growth Boundary in Livermore, CA, using green building, specifically solar power, as an enticement to gain voter support for their initiative. Environmental organizations galvanize to oppose it.

October 24, 2005 - San Jose Mercury News

Venice Of The East Loosing Its Lakes To Land Sharks

To the dismay of the residents of Udaipur, India, "land sharks" have been taking over the dry beds of the city's famous lakes and developing them.

October 22, 2005 - NDTV.com

APA's Executive Director On Rebuilding New Orleans

APA Executive Director Paul Farmer testifies at a joint congressional hearing about plans for rebuilding New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

October 20, 2005 - American Planning Association

Why The Government Should Subsidize America's Commute To Work

Most Americans drive to work out of necessity. If the government wants to provide better transportation and economic opportunity, the government should offer tax credits to help reduce the cost of driving, and enable low-income to afford a reliable car, suggests writer Margy Waller.

October 20, 2005 - The Washington Monthly

In D.C., Private Firms Approve Permit Applications

In a unique situation in Washington D.C., selected private firms are authorized to approve development permit applications on behalf of the city's overworked and dysfunctional Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs apartment.

October 19, 2005 - Washington City Paper

'Political Recall' As Slow Growth Strategy?

California's fastest growing region resorts to using the political strategy of 'recall' to slow growth.

October 18, 2005 - Los Angeles Times

Supporting A More Active Lifestyle

The Albuquerque Alliance for Active Living encourages proper pedestrian planning for creating more livable communities.

October 14, 2005 - Albuquerque Journal

How City Hall Caused Sprawl in Atlanta

How local government policy -- as opposed to state and federal policies -- contributed to Atlanta's sprawl.

October 11, 2005 - Social Science Research Network/Ecology Law Quarterly

State, Towns Form Naval Air Station Redevelopment Agency

Just months after the Pentagon announced that they would close the Brunswick Naval Air Station, The State of Maine and the towns of Brunswick and Topsham have moved quickly to begin the redevelopment process.

October 8, 2005 - Portland Press Herald

Hurricane-proofing Louisiana's Coast

With $40 billion in federal dollars at stake for protecting New Orleans from future flooding, Congress is forming a special commission to oversee the allocation of the funds.

October 7, 2005 - CNN

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.

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

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