Since the stimulus package was announced, the emphasis on 'shovel-ready' projects elicited criticism from urbanists. At yesterday's White House jobs summit, Pres. Obama acknowledged the tension it has caused.
John Norquist of CNU wrote about the controversy back in January of last year on Planetizen.
Streetsblog has great coverage of the event, including this excerpt from the President acknowledging the tension:
"The tension we've been seeing is that what's good in the long term may not necessarily work as an immediate, short-term stimulus. We're still getting smacked around from the Recovery Act on this infrastructure generally has a longer tail. The term "shovel-ready," let's be honest here, doesn't always live up to its billing.
There is also a tension embodied in infrastructure between immediate maintenance [such as] repaving a highway, which is generally more shovel-ready but may imply duplicating the needs of the past as opposed to projects that are visionary and will deliver real bang for the buck in the long term but may require extensive planning."
Read the full story: Obama's Frank Talk About the 'Tension' of the 'Shovel-Ready' Concept
Opinion: Massachusetts Should Prioritize 'Shovel-Worthy' Projects
When distributing new federal funding, state leaders should ensure that selected projects are aligned with the state's climate resilience goals.
Biden Learning From the Unrealistic Expectations of Past Economic Stimulus Efforts
Taking lessons from his time working in the Obama administration, President Biden is tempering promises of quick job creation with long-term reinvestment.
Obama Concedes Problems With "Shovel-Ready" Requirement
In an interview with the New York Times, President Obama admits that, quote, "there’s no such thing as shovel-ready projects."
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.
Los Angeles just elected an urban planner as its mayor
Transportation analysts are optimistic that Raman will be more aggressive in addressing transit issues than Bass.
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.
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
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority