With mockumentary-style coverage, NPR's John Burnett imagines the trials of a state's secession.
Texas governor and former presidential candidate, Rick Perry, has been known to suggest that independence from the United States might be a favorable option. NPR correspondent, John Burnett, recruits scholars, diplomats and journalists to play along with a thought experiment.
"Texas: Now it is a whole other country - and it's open for business ... C'mon over. Be part of our vibrant free-market nation," a radio ad by the Texas Association of Business might tout. Low taxes, free trade and minimal regulations would be promoted to entice business to world's 15th largest economy.
Political scientist, Cal Jillson, describes foreign-owned plants populating the Texas job market. Immigration reform might allow immigrant workers to travel freely between countries for jobs. Burnett points out that "Texas might see itself as culturally akin to its former fatherland, but as time goes on, the nation's destiny would be determined by its genetic ties to the south."
Within a single generation Texas could easily shift to a predominantly Hispanic demographic, resembling a new Latin American nation more than a rogue frontier cowboy state.
Thanks to Jessica Brent
FULL STORY: Lone Star State of Mind
Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary
Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.
Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024
A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.
Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts
From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.
Orlando Pledges to Improve Walkability
A city report highlights successes and failures in building safer transportation infrastructure and reducing VMT in 2023.
New York Transit Agency Launches Performance Dashboard
The tool increases transparency about the agency’s performance on a variety of metrics.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
City of Rochester
Boston Harbor Now
City of Bellevue
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
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.