Government / Politics

Washington State Electric Car Infrastructure

A Green Governor Vetoes Electric Vehicle Legislation

Washington Gov. Jay Insee distinguished himself in the 2020 presidential Democratic primary as the "climate candidate," yet he vetoed a section of a transportation electrification bill that set a goal of ending sales of gas-powered cars by 2030.

May 19, 2021 - Electrek

Old houses with large porch and colorful siding

Opinion: Freeze Property Taxes in Gentrifying Neighborhoods

A proposed bill in the Texas legislature would help prevent displacement of homeowners in areas experiencing reinvestment and redevelopment.

May 19, 2021 - Dallas Morning News

Chicago Bikers

Chicago to Install More Protected Bike Lanes

Chicago's transportation commissioner says the city's transportation department is exploring options for keeping cars out of bike lanes, such as raised curbs.

May 19, 2021 - Chicago Sun-Times

Federal Transit Administration

How Much Will Buttigieg Change Federal Transportation Policy?

The USDOT secretary is making big promises, but an entrenched system makes it difficult to implement long-lasting, systemic change.

May 19, 2021 - Governing

Roads and Bridges

Insufficient Infrastructure Funding Cited as Top Concern by 91% of Cities

In a survey by the National League of Cities, local leaders overwhelmingly cited a lack of funding as a top factor affecting infrastructure decisions.

May 18, 2021 - National League Of Cities

Centennial Olympic Park

New Book Examines Public Housing as a Locus of Political Power

A new book, "Diverging Space for Deviants," connects public housing with political power.

May 18, 2021 - WABE

Row Houses at 48th between Walton and Cedar, West Philadelphia

Philly City Council to Consider Bill Protecting Neighbors from Construction Damage

The proposal would hold builders accountable for damage incurred to adjacent homes as historic rowhouse properties see increased redevelopment.

May 17, 2021 - Philadelphia News

Coronavirus

Will CDC's Revised Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People Prolong the Pandemic?

The CDC abruptly changed its masking guidance on May 13 to further distinguish behavior for those who are fully vaccinated from those who are not, prompting states, counties and businesses to end indoor mask mandates and social distancing.

May 17, 2021 - Los Angeles Times

 Interstate 710 in East Los Angeles, California.

Caltrans Chief Wants an 'Absolute Pause' on 710 Freeway Expansion

Communities along the corridor have fought expansion for decades, citing air quality and displacement concerns. Now, the agency says it's time to rethink the project.

May 16, 2021 - LA Streetsblog

Coronavirus Social Distancing

FEMA Offers Full Reimbursement for Pandemic Shelter Costs—But Cities Are Still Jittery

Cities and counties have been slow to take advantage of the promise of full and retroactive FEMA reimbursement to expand emergency housing programs, frustrating housing advocates. What’s getting in the way?

May 16, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

Atlanta BeltLine

Atlanta BeltLine Buying More Land for Affordable Housing

The agency has acquired 65 acres of properties reserved for affordable housing and job creation.

May 16, 2021 - Urbanize Atlanta

Car Culture

If You Build It, Cars Will Come: the Common-Sense Logic of 'Induced Demand'

Highway expansion has been shown, time and again, to increase traffic and congestion. Cities are finally getting the message.

May 14, 2021 - Governing

Seychelles

Pandemic Paradox: World's Most Vaccinated Country Also the Most Infected

Is the lesson from the Seychelles, an African archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, that all COVID-19 vaccines are not the same? If so, that could spell trouble for other countries relying on the Sinopharm and Covishield vaccines.

May 14, 2021 - Bloomberg News

Washington D.C. COnstruction

Study: New Markets Tax Credit 'Does What it Promises, Most of the Time'

The program, which gives tax credits to investors, has resulted in added jobs, increased incomes, and low rates of displacement.

May 12, 2021 - Next City

A city council meeting.

Local Control and the Housing Crisis

The unchecked power of individual city councilmembers has, in some cases, restricted housing development and fueled corruption.

May 12, 2021 - Slate

California State Capital

Direct Payment, Rent Relief, Homelessness Funding in Expanded 'California Comeback Plan'

Nearly 6 million Californians will receive $600 in economic stimulus checks as the state makes a plan to spend its surprise, massive budget surplus. $2.6 million for rent relief and $2 billion to pay utility bills are also planned.

May 11, 2021 - KQED

New York City Traffic Cop

Reopening New York, New Jersey and Connecticut: Is May 19 Too Soon?

Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths are dropping in the U.S. Govs. Andrew Cuomo, Phil Murphy, and Ned Lamont jointly announced on May 3 that their states would lift most restrictions on May 19. Experts and residents have mixed reactions.

May 11, 2021 - The New York Times

Sheep grazing on a green hillside

Is the 'Tragedy of the Commons' a Myth?

Examples from around the world showing that the popular theory often doesn't hold up present powerful implications for commons management.

May 11, 2021 - Aeon

Drought

Researchers Propose the Concept of 'Anthropogenic Drought'

As climate change heightens the risk of intense drought periods, a new framework can help scientists better understand the interconnected causes and effects of drought.

May 10, 2021 - Eos

Los Angeles, California

Two Demographic Firsts, Both Losses, for California

The nation's most populous state learned from the Census Bureau last month that it would lose a congressional district for the first time in its history. On Friday, it revealed that 2020 was the first year since 1850 to experience a population loss.

May 10, 2021 - CALmatters

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.