Brazilians live in fear and squalor while politicans debate what to do about the thousands living in squatter settlements.
Estrutural,Brazil, home to over 20,000 persons, is a large slum on public land,that lacks a sewer system, where residents live in shanties made out of scrap metal and are afraid to leave their homes for fear of thieves. Estrutural is typical of squatter settlements throughout Asia and South America that have developed as millions of residents move to the city from the countryside. Some view these slums as an inevitable part of the "urbanization process" while others suggest that it shows how the government and market have failed to provide or develop affordable housing. Opposing political leaders have each championed the opposing sides to this issue, without any resolution or progress.
Thanks to Irene Sherr
FULL STORY: Brazilian Slums Seen as Pawns in Political Games

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie