Government / Politics

Downtown L.A. Sells Naming Rights

Officials in Los Angeles are close to closing a naming rights deal for $500 million or more for the entire downtown area.

April 1, 2002 - Downtown News

Ecoptopia: Regional Planning Perspectives

Glenn R Pascall interviews Bay Area policymakers about challenges facing their region.

March 28, 2002 - BizJournals

Profile Of EPA Chief Whitman

It's a good thing that Environmental Protection Agency chief Christine Todd Whitman is tough...

March 28, 2002 - The Christian Science Monitor

Anti-sprawl Budgets Drying Up

According to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council, states are cutting funds for open-space and "anti-sprawl" initiatives.

March 26, 2002 - USA Today

Combatting Sprawl With A Radical Tax Plan

California legislators are considering a radical new tax-sharing plan that would change sales tax incentives on land use.

March 25, 2002 - The San Francisco Chronicle

More Condemnations Being Blocked

A Connecticut judge rules that the city of New London was not explicit enough in defining conditions for condemnation.

March 24, 2002 - Wall St. Journal

Senate Votes For Alternate Power Sources

Senate approves a plan to increase electricity from alternate source to 10 percent in 2020.

March 22, 2002 - The New York Times

Annexation: The New Growth Strategy

Corporations have mergers and acquisitions. Cities have annexation. Annexation can be far more brutal.

March 18, 2002 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

The 'Real Reason' Behind ANWR Drilling

Paul Krugman writes an editorial about the 'real reason' why the Bush administration is keen on drilling at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

March 16, 2002 - The New York Times

Tax-Sharing Bill Forces Regionalism Issue

A California tax-sharing bill forces the regionalism issue, but opposition holds firm.

March 13, 2002 - California Planning and Development Report

Wal-Mart Wins At The Polls

For the third time in Arizona, Wal-Mart has won its zoning at the polls.

March 13, 2002 - The Arizona Republic

Commission Tries To Return Initiative Process To The People

David Broder analyses Robert Hertzberg's reform effort

March 12, 2002 - The Metro Investment Report

Breaking Up Los Angeles

Now Hollywood is also talking about secession. Will it be on the ballot in November with the Valley and harbor areas?

March 11, 2002 - The Los Angeles Times

A Scandal At The EPA?

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal charges that funding at the EPA is out of control.

March 11, 2002 - Wall St. Journal

Slow-Growth Side Narrowly Carries Election Day

Slow-growth advocates in California were victorious in eight of fourteen local ballot measure elections on March 5.

March 7, 2002 - California Planning and Development Report

Legal Circus Over Park and Beach Access

Residents Vs. Nonresidents; Money Vs. Slightly Less Money in Connecticut.

March 5, 2002 - The New York Times

Is Philadelphia Blight Plan Worth The Debt: YES

Columnist Elmer Smith debates his colleague Mark Alan Hughes on the merits of Philadelphia's new $300 Neighborhood Transformation Initiative.

March 4, 2002 - The Philadelphia Daily News

Is Philadelphia Blight Plan Worth The Debt: NO

Op-ed Columnist Mark Alan Hughes debates his colleague Elmer Smith on the merits of Philadelphia's new $300 Neighborhood Transformation Initiative.

March 4, 2002 - The Philadelphia Daily News

Housing, Bonds Top CA Lawmakers' Priority Lists

Despite the lack of money -- or maybe because there is no money -- lawmakers could still pass a number of policy bills related to planning.

February 28, 2002 - California Planning and Development Report

Has The Endangered Species List Become Too Long?

Debate begins over what constitutes an endangered species, and whether some species should be saved.

February 25, 2002 - The Christian Science Monitor

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.

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.