A new report contains lessons for planners and other public officials who are concerned about recent public disasters.
Published by the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, the new report entitled "The Worst Is Yet to Come: Lessons from September 11 and Hurricane Katrina" by the Institute's Director Donald F. Kettl provides a hard look at the problems of natural and man-made disasters.
"[The report] examines what public administration scholars and practitioners can learn from these devastating events in recent history. Dr Kettl's conclusions are thought provoking and also provide insight into how government can learn to cope with the 'wicked problems' presented by natural disasters and terrorism in the twenty-first century."
From the report:
"More crises like September 11 and Katrina are inevitable, from a major California earthquake to a nasty flu virus, from a terrorist attack to mega-storms. These problems slop over the boundaries we've created to deal with them. Yet we keep trying to draw boxes around problems that defy boundaries. We keep resorting to old ideologies for new problems. Even worse, Katrina isn't over. We'll be dealing with its consequences, from reconstructing the city's homes to rebuilding its civic life, for years to come."
Thanks to Jon Cecil, AICP
FULL STORY: The Worst is Yet to Come: Lessons from September 11 and Hurricane Katrina

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth
Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas
Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions