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

Blair Kamin interviewed Maurice Cox, the current planning commissioner of Chicago and previous planning chief in Detroit, who shares insight into how planners can help spur economic and social healing in U.S. cities while protecting residents of the public health risks of the pandemic.
According to Kamin, Cox's challenge in the city of Chicago must focus on the neighborhoods with the longest history of deliberate neglect. According to Kamin, these neighborhoods in Chicago saw looting during the protests following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis.
While much of the national conversation in the wake of Floyd’s death has rightly focused on tearing down Confederate monuments and other symbols of racism, too little attention is being paid to the nitty-gritty task of building up African-American and Latino neighborhoods that have been hammered by decades of disinvestment and decay.
As specific evidence of the response of the multiple crises facing the most vulnerable residents of Chicago, Cox lists several specific initiatives underway at the Chicago Planning and Development Department, including a shift in priority for the INVEST South/West underway at the city, plans to allow outdoor dining for restaurants on the South and West sides, and forthcoming programs to invest in vacant properties in struggling communities in Englewood and Austin, among others.

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service