Bruce Katz and Judith Rodin identify the forward thinking and innovative solutions that collaborative groups are implementing to restore prosperity to their communities.
The Atlantic Cities is beginning a multi-day series aimed at showcasing ideas from state and metro-level bodies who, unwilling to wait for Washington's lead, are moving ahead with plans to "boost exports, strengthen the clean economy, expand innovation capacity and train the next generation of workers."
Two of ten articles have been run. The innovations featured in these two and the remaining pieces, to be posted in the coming days, were selected, "based on their ability to help create jobs and contribute to a stronger economy as well as their reliance on collaboration across the public, private, nonprofit and (in some cases) academic sectors. In choosing these innovations, we focused on efforts that were emblematic of the next economy and offered promising models that could be replicated in other states and metropolitan areas and scaled up by federal action.
FULL STORY: Innovative State and City Government Solutions to Watch in 2012

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

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.

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.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
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