"Crackpot schemes' or ambitious thinking? In the largest state in the nation, often criticized for "bridges to nowhere" visions, no idea is too outlandish.
"In this most giant of all the states, with vast natural resources and an edge-of-the-world mentality, Hickel is just one of many Alaskans who dream of carving the landscape or reaping its resources on a fantastic scale...It hasn't been a great year for Alaskan schemers, of course: The state's three-person congressional delegation has been widely ridiculed for backing federal projects that critics describe as silly "bridges to nowhere," textbook examples of porkbarrel spending run amok...
Although many Americans look at Alaska and see a magnificent wilderness that should largely be left alone, many Alaskans look at Alaska and see much to be done...Even today, Alaskan leaders are backing big projects â€" including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and creation of one of the world's biggest gold mines, near Bristol Bay â€" despite widespread environmental opposition."
Read the full story: To Alaska's Big Dreamers, No Bridge Is Too Far
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Seattle passes record-breaking transit services expansion
Proposition 1 will double the city’s transit tax to add 95,000 more bus trips and preserve 180,000 bus trips annually.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority