Whatever Happened to Obama's Urban Agenda?

Writing in Grist, Greg Hanscom's position is that under Obama's guidance, the Federal Government has shifted away from subsidizing sprawl and towards reviving cities. Agree?

1 minute read

January 19, 2012, 11:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Although the Conference of Mayors might argue differently, Hanscom comes to the conclusion that, "Under President Obama, key federal agencies have begun to shift away from subsidizing suburban sprawl and toward reviving cities and creating dense, walkable, transit-friendly communities."

Hanscom points to the creation of the Special Assistant for Urban Affairs position, TIGER grant funding, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, the Strong Cities, Strong Communities program, and the Sustainable Communities Initiative, to buttress his argument.

He cites the failure to pass a new transportation bill as Obama's major failing. "That's a lack of leadership coming out of White House," [Christopher] Leinberger, [President of Locus] says. "President Obama spent too much political capital on high-speed rail instead of looking at light rail, street cars, and the entire range of transportation alternatives."

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 in Grist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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