Kevin Meagher argues why the office of Mayor of London, "an astounding success" since its creation just 12 years ago, is bad for the rest of England, and should be abolished.
Have Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson, the only two persons to ever serve as Mayor of London, been too good at their jobs? Although the position comes with very little administrative power, Meagher views its megaphone as its greater asset, and the greatest detriment to the rest of the country. "The mayor's megaphone means that London's voice echoes in the corridors
of power, the boardrooms of the capital and the news conferences of our
national media, says Meagher. "The casual assumption that London's priorities are the
nation's priorities has now become an unshakeable article of faith."
He sees "the extra lobbying clout of the London mayor" as accentuating pre-existing trends that allow London to act as "a city-state: autonomous, successful and
happy to blaze a trail, while the rest of the country lags far behind."
"Successive governments have set out to narrow the economic and
opportunity gap between the capital and the rest of the country only to
see the problem get worse," notes Meagher. Exasperated, his solution is to scrap the Mayor of London.
FULL STORY: Time to scrap the Mayor of London?

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.

‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls
The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions