Government / Politics
L.A.'s Crackdown on McMansions Hasn't Stopped Them from Going Up
Legislation to stop construction of McMansions is being undermined by a zoning loophole.
Updated: $2 Trillion Federal Stimulus Includes Billions for Transit, Housing
The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has already hit public transit revenues hard, and the concerns of millions of renters around the country about how they'll afford to pay the rent are weighing heavily on the country.
Local Coronavirus Action Tracker
Broadcasting information about local actions, to share knowledge and information, and to help local leaders calibrate responses.
White House Could End 'Slow the Spread' Coronavirus Guidelines
President Trump signaled that he was considering lifting the public health guidelines at the end of the 15-day period on March 30 due to the severe economic impacts caused by containment strategies despite mounting deaths caused by the pandemic.
Oregon Executive Order Targets Greenhouse Gas Emissions
An executive order ramps up the effort to lower emissions in the state, much of which come from transportation.
How Downtown L.A.'s First 'Re:Code' Community Plan Embraces Density and Affordability
Vince Bertoni addresses his city’s efforts to incentivize affordable housing and noted the responsibility shared at the state, regional, and local level for policy & regulatory change to incent provision of affordable housing.
Delaware, Louisiana, and Ohio Prepare to Shut Down Non-Essential Businesses
As confirmed cases of COVID-19 increase rapidly throughout the nation, governors of Delaware, Louisiana, and Ohio on Sunday issued stay-at-home orders that take effect Monday night or Tuesday to protect residents and hospitals.
Israel to Track Coronavirus Using Cellphone Data
Data from millions of cellphone customers will be used to locate and alert individuals who may have come into contact with people carrying the virus.
Passenger Rail to Gulf Coast Closer to Reality
Amtrak service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, stopped after Hurricane Katrina. But recent efforts point to restored service in the coming years.
New York MTA Seeks Federal Funding Relief as Ridership Plummets
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has seen significant ridership drops due to the coronavirus. The agency is asking Congress for $4 billion to help it through the crisis.
The Regional Economic Impacts of the Coronavirus
The effects of a nationwide economic recession will likely hit hardest those regions with vulnerable sectors.
Local Planning Departments Shutting Down in California
The entire state of California is now on a shelter in place order, but planning desks and public hearings on land use issues were already in the process of shutting down.
New York and Illinois Follow in California's Footsteps by Declaring Shutdowns
Governors of three of the nation's largest states, containing the three largest cities, have issued emergency orders to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Changing Perceptions of Aging in Planning
In planning, stereotypes of older adults still dominate, and it’s time for that message to change.
40 Million Californians Ordered to Stay At Home to Contain Coronavirus
The largest state in the country has been ordered to shelter in place.
King County Postpones August Target for Transit Sales Tax Initiative
King County, home to Seattle, will wait to ask voters to approve a 0.2% sales tax for funding transit until a time both when transit use is higher, and people aren’t facing waves of sudden unemployment.
Economic Argument for Historic Preservation in L.A.: Older Housing is Affordable Housing
Donovan Rypkema and Adrian Scott Fine highlight myth-busting findings on the impacts of historic preservation overlay zones (HPOZs) on affordability, density, diversity, and economic resilience of neighborhoods across Los Angeles.
2020 Census Adapting Quickly to the Coronavirus Pandemic
Delayed operations and recommendations for how college students should report their living conditions are key to the Census response to COVID-19 so far. The Census is still expected to wrap up by the end of July 2020.
Density in the Pandemic Era
High population density is viewed as an environmental benefit in terms of decreasing emissions, particularly from transportation, but from the public health perspective of containing the spread of COVID-19, it might be a significant negative.
Bay Area Ordered to Shelter in Place
Six Bay Area counties have taken drastic action to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. "Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."
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.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
