Government / Politics
Trump Says White House Ballroom Exempt from Permitting, Zoning Rules
The President reportedly told teams working on the ballroom that the project doesn’t have to comply with regulations.
Property Owners Sue Miami for Unlawfully Taking Property via Permit Applications
The suit claims the city is using unrelated permit applications to unlawfully gain right-of-way.
House Bill Would Redirect Immigration Enforcement Funds to Housing
The bill would shift $175 billion to a new tax credit that would provide down payment assistance to first-generation homebuyers.
Ted Cruz Blames Safety Features for the Rising Cost of Cars; Senate Could Roll Back Regulations
A Senate committee will hear testimony by automakers in a hearing that could determine whether autonomous emergency braking and other safety features will be mandatory on new cars.
Planetizen’s Top Urban Planning Books of 2025
How thoughtful deregulation could unlock a housing and infrastructure boom, the social histories that lie behind a globalizing economy, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in planning.
Co-founder of Seattle Transit Riders Union Wins Mayoral Bid
Katie Wilson, co-founder and general secretary of Seattle's Transit Riders Union, edged out incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell in one of the nation's closest races on Nov. 4 that took nine days before a winner could be declared.
Mismanagement Leads to Loss of up to $35M for DC Affordable Housing
The District’s housing agency forfeited what would amount to $35 million in federal housing funds over the next decade.
Trump Administration Proposes to Divert Billions from Mass Transit to Highways; Advocates Sound Alarm
Two proposals from the Trump DOT would eliminate a federal mass transit fund and make it harder for states to allocate funding to transit projects.
In a Warming World, Water-Based Recreation Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Necessity
Increasing access to pools, splash pads, and lakes is not just about fun — it is about health, equity, and resilience in a warming world.
LA County Adopts Strategy for Greener, More Resilient Communities
The 2025 OurCounty Sustainability Plan charts an ambitious path toward a cleaner, more equitable, and climate-resilient future for Los Angeles County.
Transit Agencies Ramp up Free and Reduced Fare Programs for SNAP Recipients
Some transit systems are offering free rides for low-income riders until benefits are restored.
Chicago Mayor ‘Willing to Consider’ Eviction Freeze as ICE Raids Mount
Tenant advocates say many workers are staying home due to fears of immigration raids, putting some households behind on rent.
Federal Judge Rules Trump Can’t Tie Transportation Funding to Immigration Policy
The judge said the administration did not offer “any plausible connection” between transportation projects and immigration enforcement.
Artists Blanket Houston in Rainbow Murals After City Removes Rainbow Crosswalks
Houstonians are responding to the removal of rainbow crosswalks with new murals celebrating diversity.
October Must-Reads: Top 10 Articles From Last Month
Arizona’s future needs sustainable growth, and part of the answer may lie in an experiment from its past.
Illinois Rescues Transit With $1.5 Billion Bill, Creates New Authority
The bill increases tollway charges and the sales tax in some counties but excludes prior proposals to tax entertainment and billionaires.
When Carpool Lanes Cause Mayhem
A newly widened Bay Area freeway serves as a reminder of the futility of HOV lanes. There are better ways to manage and mitigate traffic.
Chicago Housing Authority Sues HUD Over DEI Funding Cuts
The agency could lose over 13 percent of its funding due to federal cuts.
For Better Public Transit, We Need Better Stories
Public transportation provides many often-overlooked benefits. We can do better at communicating the value of transit investments. We have good stories to tell.
Underground Power Lines, Reinforced Water Systems — Four Ways to Fireproof LA
A new UCLA report highlights strategies to strengthen Los Angeles’s water and power systems amid growing climate threats.
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
