A bill working its way through congress seeks to institute more "livable communities" in America. But with few mandates, it's unclear what the bill would actually do.
"[I]t's no surprise that the bill reads like a New Urbanist tract. It states, for instance, "Demographers estimate that as much as 30 percent of current demand for housing is for housing in dense, walkable, mixed-use communities, and that less than 2 percent of new housing is in this category." It argues that less driving is "a necessary part of the energy independence and climate change strategies of the United States." The bill contains remarkably enlightened rhetoric, but it doesn't quite walk the walk. Like much of what comes out of the Obama administration, S.1619 is neither as far-reaching as its proponents would like nor as radical as its detractors claim."
The bill focuses on encouraging discussion and coordination between various arms of government and policymaking, as opposed to creating hard rules. But proponents say it's a good, though modest, first step.
FULL STORY: All Carrot, No Stick
Congress Introduces Bill to Limit Size of SUVs and Trucks
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Undoing Biden's EV Rule
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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
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San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
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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