To create real change, and to help cities become strong and competitive, government officials need to think differently about urban policy.
Federal urban policy has generally consisted of small initiatives and narrowly focused policies. To create real change, and to help cities become strong and competitive, government officials need to think differently about urban policy. At this National Issues Forum, mayors and other experts discussed critical urban issuestransportation, housing, jobs, and crimeand explore what presidential candidates and the federal government should be doing to help cities grapple with these concerns. Ray Suarez, NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and author of The Old Neighborhood: What We Lost in the Great Suburban Migration makes a presentation. Oakland mayor and former California governor Jerry Brown gives the keynote address. The Summer 2000 issue of the Brookings Review, which is dedicated to urban policy challenges, is released at the forum. Streaming media from the event is also available.
Thanks to Laura Krafft
FULL STORY: Cities and the Presidential Election

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

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)