Government / Politics
Florida Lawmakers to Reconsider 2024 Law Blocking Local Resilience Efforts
Legislators are proposing changes to a bill that froze all local land use and building code changes, including those designed to reduce risks from flooding and hurricanes.
Planning Trends for 2026: States and Cities Take Initiative, Passenger Rail Gains Steam, and the Costs of AI Revealed
With federal funding for everything from transportation projects to housing assistance under threat, city and state governments are poised to take a stronger role in building strong, resilient local economies and public services.
Commentary: New Jersey Township Could Use Zoning Law to Block ICE Facility
The Roxbury council passed a resolution opposing a new immigration detention facility, but the town could go further by enacting an ordinance barring detention as a land use.
HUD to Investigate Minneapolis Over Allegations of ‘Racial and Ethnic Favoritism’ in Housing Policy
The Trump administration says the city’s housing policies and support of ‘cultural districts’ are racially discriminatory, while city leaders call the investigation politically motivated.
USDOT Ends Effort to Tie Transportation Funding to ICE Cooperation
The department ended its effort to challenge a court ruling barring it from withholding federal grants over immigration enforcement.
Why the First 3 Months of 2026 Will Decide the Future of US Passenger Rail
Three events likely to occur in the first 90 days of the year will have major impacts on U.S. train travel.
EPA to Stop Considering the Cost of Lives Saved in Setting Pollution Limits
The agency will no longer quantify the monetary gains from health benefits from curbing air pollution.
HUD Plans to Kill Key Fair Housing Rule
The department issued a proposal to eliminate the disparate impact rule, a cornerstone of some discrimination rulings under the Fair Housing Act.
What do We Want, Speed or Affordability?
Conventional planning assumes that travellers want to save time, but evidence indicates that they usually prefer to save money. How can planning better reflect these preferences?
Trump Administration Sues to Stop Gas Appliance Bans in California Cities, Citing ‘Crushing’ Costs
Some California cities have already retracted gas appliance bans after a judge ruled against Berkeley’s ordinance limiting gas-powered appliances in new buildings.
Judge Says FEMA Can’t Withhold Grant Funds Under ‘Arbitrary and Capricious’ Conditions
The decision favors a coalition of 12 states that sued the Trump administration over new conditions for disaster recovery and emergency relief funds.
California Delays Licensing for Immigrant Truck Drivers, Ignoring Federal Deadline
USDOT is threatening the state with the loss of $160 million in federal funding if migrant truck drivers retain their licenses after January 5.
NYC Mayor Mamdani’s First Executive Orders Focus on Tenant Protections, Reverse Adams Orders
A Mamdani order revokes all executive orders issued by former mayor Eric Adams, including one that created a city office focused on cryptocurrency.
California Law Bars Cities From Punishing Homelessness Outreach Workers
A state law seeks to protect workers who provide services to unhoused residents, regardless of where they live.
Commentary: Eminent Domain is a Slippery Slope
Can accepting eminent domain lead to accepting the loss of other, more foundational rights?
Public Sector Consulting Isn’t Evil, but We Have to Keep it Honest
At its best, public sector consulting builds knowledge and delivers value for taxpayers. At its worst, it entrenches dependence and wastes resources. A code of ethics for keeping consulting ethical.
These Cities are Making Code Enforcement Supportive, not Punitive
We can upkeep homes without punishing low-income residents. Here are some lessons for change, and cities already doing that work on the ground.
USDOT Cancels Over $100 Million in Sustainable Transportation Funds for Colorado
The administration is pulling funding for what it calls “woke” and “redundant” clean energy projects including EV charging infrastructure.
HUD Investigating Boston for “Redlining Against White People”
The agency says the city is breaking the law by prioritizing people of color in its affordable housing strategy.
HUD Pauses Anti-DEI Rules After Multiple Lawsuits
The Housing Department retracted a funding application that changes how Continuum of Care funds are allocated.
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.
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City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
