This short series from Next American City looks at the emerging trend of entrepreneurs applying their own private-sector business savvy to the world of local government.
One program focuses on luring new young talent into city positions -- the majority of which are staffed by soon-to-retire baby boomers.
"The Teach for America-style program pairs employment in high-level offices with training to enhance fellows' skills and understanding of the social context of their host cities, which include San Francisco, Houston and Baton Rouge, La.
The program recognizes that young people tend to view city government as overly bureaucratic, scandal-ridden and ineffective. When recruiting applicants, Henderson challenges young people to improve their understanding of how city government works. "How many of you in the room have gone home and told your parents, ‘My mission in life is to work for the city's sewer department'?" she asks. Seeing little to no response, Henderson reveals that this seemingly unglamorous department actually oversees many of the environmental issues that young people care strongly about. "
FULL STORY: Entrepreneurs Reboot City Government

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont