Government / Politics

Environmental Justice

A Plan for a 'Just Green Recovery'

The Rhodium Group charts a path toward an economic recovery plan that would also achieve social and environmental benefits.

July 1, 2020 - Rhodium Group

Coronavirus Protest

Justice Department Challenges Hawaii Quarantine

The U.S. Justice Department has intervened in a lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs challenging Hawaii's mandatory two-week quarantine for travelers arriving on the island state. The Trump-appointed judge did not react favorably.

June 29, 2020 - Politico

Social Distancing

COVID's New Demographic

Younger people are making up more of the new cases of COVID-19 as the coronavirus explodes in the Sunbelt states, particularly Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, bringing with it new attention on bars as settings for high viral transmission.

June 29, 2020 - The New York Times

Airport

EU to Bar Travelers from U.S. and other High-Infection Countries

In another pandemic reversal, a "safe country" list was completed by EU officials to take effect July 1 to prevent the reintroduction of the coronavirus. President Trump banned travelers from Europe in March to reduce the introduction of the virus.

June 29, 2020 - The New York Times

Coronavirus

Chicago's Planning Director on Leadership During Crises

Maurice Cox, planning commissioner for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, is the subject of this in-depth coverage by the Chicago Tribune.

June 29, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Seattle Sailboats

Capital Gains Tax Under Consideration in Seattle

A proposed capital gains tax would invest $37 million per year in solving affordable housing and homelessness crises in Seattle.

June 28, 2020 - The Urbanist

Social Distancing

Texas Hits Pause as Hospital Beds Fill Up

Coronavirus cases are surging throughout the South and West. With growing hospitalizations threatening the capacity of the health care systems in major cities in Texas, Gov. Gregg Abbott pressed 'pause' on the state's reopening plan.

June 26, 2020 - The Washington Post

George Washington Bridge

Pandemic Reversal: The New Tri-State Quarantine

Almost three months ago, President Trump announced "sometime today we’ll do a quarantine, short term, two weeks, on New York, probably New Jersey, certain parts of Connecticut" to prevent viral spread to Florida. On Wednesday, the roles reversed.

June 25, 2020 - The New York Times

Concrete Plant

House Democrats Unveil $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

The $500 billion five-year transportation bill making its way through the House is only part of the package.

June 25, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Ça c'est Paris

Who Stands to Benefit from Speed Limit Reductions on the Boulevard Périphérique in Paris?

Proposed plans to reduce the speed limit and narrow the Boulevard Périphérique have sparked debate in Paris. If reelected, Mayor Anne Hidalgo wants to implement these changes in addition to other urban-mobility effective policies.

June 25, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

Coronavirus and Transportation

More than a Pause: Reversing the Reopening

As coronavirus infections grow throughout the South and West, governors and local officials will need to consider rolling back their reopenings. Bars and nightclubs closed in Boise on Wednesday in what may be a sign of what's to come.

June 24, 2020 - Idaho Statesman

The Seat of Government

Transportation Bill Clears House Committee

A five-year transportation bill has advanced in the House, but it has a long way to go before Americans should expect to see a final federal transportation policy emerge from Congress.

June 24, 2020 - The Washington Post

Park Closure

Coronavirus Success: The Unusual Story Behind the State with the Lowest Infection Rate

Like New Zealand, another island has achieved success in reducing viral spread. The ability to quarantine travelers to Hawaii was crucial, but the virus had already arrived. Health professionals played key roles which, at times, led to conflict.

June 23, 2020 - Politico Magazine

Los Angeles Grand Park

L.A. City Councilmember Arrested, to Face Charges in Development Corruption Scheme

Longtime City Councilmember Jose Huizar was arrested at his home in Boyle Heights this morning, in the latest signal of a culture of corruption at Los Angeles City Hall.

June 23, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

BaltimoreLink System Map

Baltimore Could Reallocate Police Funding to Public Transit

Baltimore is taking steps to divest from policing and makes decisions about where to invest $22 million in reallocated funds. One proposal: use the money to support public transit.

June 22, 2020 - Greater Greater Washington

Florida Sign - Welcome to Florida

Model Predicts Next U.S. Coronavirus Epicenter

For the third consecutive day, COVID-19 cases in the Sunshine State have set records, exceeding 4,000 for the first time. PolicyLab in Philadelphia now predicts Florida will be the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. by mid-July.

June 22, 2020 - WTSP-TV

Coronavirus

City vs. State: Mayors Want Power to Require Mask Wearing to Slow Coronavirus Spread

Coronavirus cases are surging in the Lone Star State's urban areas, so mayors of nine of its largest cities asked Greg Abbott for the power to mandate the wearing of masks or facial coverings, prohibited by executive order, to slow viral spread.

June 21, 2020 - The Texas Tribune

Al Fresco Gelato

Prioritizing Open Air Spaces in Pandemic Recovery Efforts

Businesses and public health officials are working together to develop guidelines to provide goods and services to the public safely. They're visioning creative ways to bring businesses outdoors and promoting al fresco spaces.

June 21, 2020 - The Urbanist

Snowy Residential Neighborhood

Property Tax Disparities Grow as Housing Prices Grow

The authoritative report on the state of property taxes in the United States was released earlier this month.

June 18, 2020 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Public Outreach

Regulatory Considerations for Online Public Engagement: Ensuring the Viability of Projects

As online engagement becomes increasingly important during COVID-19, so does understanding compliance with legal requirements.

June 17, 2020 - Stantec

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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.