Another look at Edward Glaeser's provocative new book Triumph of the City, this time by reporter Mary Newsom and with a focus on Glaeser's opinions on the city and the environment.
Newsom says that Glaeser's arguments are similar to those posed in David Owen's 2009 book Green Metropolis; namely, that the best way to save the environment is to live in the city:
"...but Glaeser's policy prescriptions are stronger, if less politically practical. As a free-market economist, he supports both London-style congestion pricing, charging motorists a fee to drive in the center city, as well as a carbon tax, as incentives to use resources more efficiently. He is deeply critical of the home mortgage interest deduction and the federal interstate highway system as subsidies for suburban sprawl."
In other ways, says Newsom, Glaeser's environmental analyses are "shallow."
Read the full story: Triumph of the City
California's Most Controversial Housing Bill Advances with Amendments
Senate Bill 50, by Scott Wiener, advanced on two fronts last week: On Wednesday, it passed easily out of its first committee with new "Minneapolis-style" amendments. On Sunday, it received a New York Times editorial endorsement.
Koch Brothers Behind Local Transit Losses Nationwide
Public transit is increasingly a target of the Koch brothers' crusade against big government.
Home Ownership Subsidy Takes a $250,000 Hit in Final Version of Tax Bill
The current mortgage interest deduction is $1 million. The House version of the tax bill called for a $500,000 cap while the Senate left it untouched. They split the difference and capped it at $750,000. Congress is expected to pass H.R. 1 this week
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
LA to transform part of water treatment facility into new park
By rebuilding some of the Los Angeles-Glendale Water Reclamation Plant’s infrastructure, the city will free up 18,000 square feet to create a new green space for the public.
San Antonio approves $1.1 billion transit agenda
The agency has also begun construction of its Via Rapid Green line, which will service passengers from the San Antonio International Airport.
Guerilla urbanists’ DIY benches joined by sanctioned seats in Chicago
The group behind the original homemade benches said they will continue installing them across bench-less bus stops in Chicago.
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.
One Hundred Miles
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University of Cincinnati Online
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Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
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