Government / Politics

North Carolina Coast

Southern States Lagging in Addressing Climate Change

Cities in the South are facing a multitude of climate change impacts, but many have been slow to respond to the growing threats.

February 6, 2020 - The State

Williamsburg Brooklyn

Opinion: N.Y.C. Neighborhood Rezoning Displaces Vulnerable Residents

Rezoning has resulted in the loss of affordable housing in areas like the South Bronx, and any proposals need to consider the long-term racial equity impacts, according to a recent report by Churches United for Fair Housing.

February 5, 2020 - City Limits

Interstate Freeway System

Sound Transit's Stride BRT to Bring Additional Time Savings

An expansion of Interstate 405 in the Seattle region will include bus rapid transit stations that will allow vehicles to travel even faster along the new transit corridor.

February 4, 2020 - The Urbanist

Olympia, Washington

Tax on High Earners Proposed to Fund Homeless Services in Seattle's King County

The Washington State Legislature is proposing a type of tax that the city of Seattle tried, and failed, to implement a few years go.

February 3, 2020 - KUOW

Indiana

Bike-Friendly City in Indiana is Known for Plentiful Roundabouts

Indiana's fifth-largest city, of just under 100,000, residents has 120 roundabouts, more than any city in the U.S., and only 14 traffic lights. The average traffic fatality rate is 83 percent lower than the national average.

February 2, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Electric vehicle

GM's Electric Vehicle Future Arrives Early in Detroit-Hamtramck

GM's first non-internal combustion engine vehicle assembly plant will be in the form of 35-year-old plant straddling the Detroit-Hamtramck border thanks in part to a $2.27 billion state tax credit. Electric pickups, SUVs, and AVs will be produced.

January 30, 2020 - Detroit Free Press

Student activists with the Sunrise Movement occupy Nancy Pelosi's office

Democrats Reveal a $760 Billion Transportation Framework

Congressional Democrats hope transportation infrastructure can be a winning political point during a campaign year following the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

January 30, 2020 - The Hill

Brooklyn

Opinion: Wealthy Residents Are Opposing Brooklyn Development to Protect Their Own Interests

Residents are arguing that a Williamsburg development would negatively affect the neighborhood. But it’s a grassroots effort to protect the status quo in a neighborhood where gentrification benefited them.

January 30, 2020 - New York Post

Seattle Transit

Charting a Better Transportation Future for Washington State

The state gas tax cannot provide the funding that Washington needs for its transportation system, according to a recent opinion piece published by the Seattle Times. But state legislators can look to bold, progressive revenue options for the future.

January 28, 2020 - The Seattle Times

Mountain resort

Increased Property Taxes for Short-Term Rentals Under Consideration in Colorado

The idea of taxing rental homes at a commercial rate is likely to be a hot button in Colorado.

January 28, 2020 - The Denver Post

Pacific Coast

Housing Litigation by California Attorney General Yields Results

A landmark state lawsuit will be settled if the Huntington Beach City Council approves an amended specific plan that increases housing. The lawsuit was enabled by 2017 legislation strengthening California's 50-year-old housing element law.

January 27, 2020 - Los Angeles Daily News

U.S. Census Bureau

Census Information for Rental Property Owners

There are a number of obstacles and issues related to the 2020 Census enumeration of apartment building residents. This set of FAQs covers “Census Information for Rental Property Owners.”

January 27, 2020 - Metropolitan Council

Los Angeles Metro Bus

Opinion: L.A. Metro Bus Plan Must Put Riders First

A bold proposal to overhaul the region’s bus system will require leaders and government officials who will commit to putting the needs of riders front and center.

January 27, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

St-Denis Street Montreal

Montreal Vacancies Leave Commercial Corridors Struggling

Areas like St-Denis Street used to be bustling shopping destinations, but a shift in recent years has resulted in many empty storefronts.

January 27, 2020 - Montreal Gazette

Texas Highway

A New Transportation Vision for Texas Not Focused on Cars?

Governor Greg Abbott recently described a possible shift in state transportation infrastructure priorities—one that doesn’t involve funding road projects.

January 27, 2020 - D Magazine

The Penninsula

Are Charter Cities Subject to California's Housing Laws?

After a San Mateo County Superior Court judge ruled that charter cities are exempt from the Housing Accountability Act, aka the anti-NIMBY law, the state stepped in to support the appellant, a YIMBY group that launched a "Sue the Suburbs" campaign.

January 24, 2020 - San Francisco Chronicle

Pedestrian Overpass

The Story Behind the I-30 Pedestrian Bridge in Dallas

Before a new bridge went in over Interstate 30, pedestrians had to traverse a dangerous roadway or use a nearby vehicle bridge that lacked a sidewalk.

January 24, 2020 - The Dallas Morning News

Andrew Wheeler

Trump Finally Comes for the 'Waters of the United States' Rule

The Trump administration is finally delivering on a promise to rescind the Waters of the United States act enacted during the Obama administration to expand the reach of the federal Clean Water Act.

January 23, 2020 - NPR

New York City Transit Authority

Breaking News: Leadership Change at New York MTA

Andy Byford has resigned as president of the New York City Transit Authority, after building a track record that includes ridership and service improvements on the troubled MTA subway system.

January 23, 2020 - Politico

Folsom Car Culture

Coming Soon: Trump's Revised Fuel Efficiency Standards

The Trump administration has submitted revised fuel efficiency standards to the White House Office of Management and Budget for a final review. If approved, the rule would overturn a key environmental initiative of the Obama administration.

January 23, 2020 - The Detroit News

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.