Cautiously at first, grant program steps toward big investment shift to "Cool Cities."
Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm is attempting through her new Cool City Pilot Program to do the same thing in Michigan that Maryland Governor Parris Glendening did in 1997 when he passed the state Smart Growth Act. The Maryland planning and public investment law redirected much of the states budget for roads, schools, public works and buildings, housing, and other new construction back toward urban centers. Mr. Glendenings program helped Maryland achieve one of the highest levels of economic growth of any state in the nation while conserving thousands of acres of farmland and forest and strengthening economic development in Baltimore. Mr. Glendening, by the way, easily won a second term.
Thanks to Keith Schneider
FULL STORY: Granholm's Urban Therapy
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
End Human Sacrifices to the Demanding Gods of Automobile Dependency and Sprawl
The U.S. has much higher traffic fatality rates than peer countries due to automobile dependency and sprawl. Better planning can reduce these human sacrifices.
Seattle Transit Asked to Clarify Pet Policy
A major dog park near a new light rail stop is prompting calls to update and clarify rules for bringing pets on Seattle-area transit systems.
Oregon Bill Would End Bans on Manufactured Housing
The bill would prevent new developments from prohibiting mobile homes and modular housing.
Nashville Doesn’t Renew Bike Share Contract, Citing Lost Federal Funding
The city’s bike share system, operated by BCycle, could stop operating if the city doesn’t find a new source of funding.
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.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions