Enterprising Native American communities are using their sovereignty to approve large projects that would be difficult to clear on neighboring lands, like landfills and casinos. Industry is happy to oblige, and directly targets the Native market.
"The conflicts are set to get worse as urban development sprawls toward rural areas where most Indian reservations are located, said David Bricklin, a Seattle attorney who represents communities fighting reservation development, most recently in a losing battle against an outdoor concert venue on land belonging to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, 25 miles south of Seattle.
Bricklin said state politicians and city and town leaders often refuse to take on Indian nations, which have become major donators to political candidates. Bricklin also said opponents are branded racists by development supporters. 'You get accused of being prejudiced against the tribes if you dare to challenge the project,' he said.
But John Dossett, general counsel for the National Congress of American Indians, said land use battles cut both ways. Tribal land and people have been far more heavily impacted by development outside reservations, he said. 'It is more than a little unfair that tribes, who have been among the last to receive the benefits of economic development, would be expected to keep their lands pristine while everyone has developed all around them.'"
FULL STORY: Outsiders Target Indian Land for Risky Business
Grand Canyon Area Could Gain New National Monument
The Biden administration has signaled support for a proposed national monument that would protect Native American lands around the Grand Canyon from uranium mining.
Solar Power Mandate Could Endanger Cultural/Ecological Sites
With a major push by the federal government to achieve 80% clean energy by 2035, the California Energy Commission is moving quickly to approve permits. Sensitive Native cultural sites are threatened by the speedy process, say many involved.
Biden Announces New National Monument on Havasu 'Baaja Land
Almost 1 million acres of land near the Grand Canyon will now be protected from mining and extraction as part of the country’s newest national monument.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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.
