GOP Platform Takes Aim at Community Planning

The official G.O.P. platform approved at the party's convention on Tuesday included tough language on U.N. Agenda 21, decrying it as "erosive of American sovereignty," reports Leslie Kaufman.

1 minute read

August 30, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Despite the fact that the 1992 United Nations resolution (Agenda 21) that encourages sustainable development globally "is nonbinding and has no force of law in the United States," fringe elements of the Republican party who are convinced that the resolution is a conspiracy to deny Americans their property rights have managed to push the item to the mainstream.  

"...the inclusion of language for Agenda 21
in the Republican Party platform could mark a turning point, said Tom
Madrecki, a spokesman for Smart Growth America, an advocacy group that works to limit sprawl," writes Kaufman. 

"Though the actual language of the platform
does not say anything besides ‘we oppose Agenda 21,' the fact that it's
in the platform gives credence to something that just shouldn't get
any," he said.

He said he's concerned that formalizing opposition
to Agenda 21 will bring more disruption and will "continue halting
beneficial conversations about community planning."

Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in The New York Times

Chicago Intercity Rail

Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects

Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Google maps street view of San Francisco alleyway.

Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’

A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?

September 26, 2023 - Fast Company

Google street view of yellow "End Freeway 1/4 mile" sign on 90 freeway in Los Angeles, California.

Proposal Would Transform L.A.’s ‘Freeway to Nowhere’ Into Park, Housing

A never-completed freeway segment could see new life as a mixed-use development with housing, commercial space, and one of the county’s largest parks.

September 26, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Newly constructed houses in Tempe, Arizona.

Tempe Historic Preservation Proposal Could Make it Harder to Build New Homes

Proposed changes to the city’s preservation ordinance would make two-thirds of the city’s housing stock eligible for preservation.

3 minutes ago - The State Press

Blue and green city bus blurred in transit on New York City street.

How to Measure Transit Equity

A new report highlights the need to go beyond traditional equity metrics to assess how public transit systems are serving the lowest-income and most disadvantaged riders.

1 hour ago - Mineta Institute

Sketch of proposed city with buildings, trees, and people.

Why Brand New Cities Won’t Solve Our Urban Problems

Building cities takes time and resources. Why not spend them on fixing the ones we have?

2 hours ago - The Atlantic

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.