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

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians
Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie