After eight years of existence, neighborhood councils in Los Angeles are still struggling to define who should be involved in their process of advising the city.
"Today, there are 89 neighborhood councils covering most of the city, and many have struggled with this very issue in one form or another. The Neighborhood Council Review Commission also looked at this question during an evaluation of the system required by the City Charter."
"Thousands of Angelenos participate in neighborhood councils, including about 1,600 elected to the boards that advise City Hall on issues such as land use, budget priorities and delivery of city services. Councils are providing input on such contentious issues as the location of a Home Depot in the San Fernando Valley and the controversial mansionization of single-family homes."
"But one question is still unsettled: Who exactly is a stakeholder? Does it mean that a neighborhood is represented only by people who own houses or businesses there? What about people who attend religious services in the neighborhood? Who send their kids to school there?"
FULL STORY: Wide-open local politics

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service