Mayors of Reading and Scranton, Pa. plead for presidential candidates to address substantive city-region issues, such as transit access, investment in high-tech industries and increased federal funding for sustainable infrastructure improvements.
Speaking on behalf of Pennsylvania and the nation, they cite statistics showing the key role of cities in U.S. economy and unity of concern among the country's mayors. They call on the candidates to "tackle such entrenched economic problems with innovative solutions that recognize cities as hubs of activity and growth." Though they support different candidates, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Reading Mayor Thomas McMahon agree that "bullet-point documents deep in a campaign Web site aren't enough if we really want to put cities on the agenda."
Thanks to Peter Javsicas
Read the full story: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Chicago mayor nominates allies for new regional transit board
The Northern Illinois Transit Authority will take over transit decisions from the existing Regional Transportation Authority.
Despite 47% growth in ridership, Caltrain could close a third of its stations
Riders can currently travel up to 79 miles between San Francisco and Gilroy, California.
Dallas Sacrifices DART Majority Control in Bid to Keep Suburbs in Transit System
The city would give up majority control of the regional transit system for the first time in its 40-year history.
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.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
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