"Another debate, another lack of urban topics," bemoans Matt Bevilacqua, reporting on last night's presidential town hall debate. Once again, issues of relevance to planners (climate change, transportation, housing, etc.) got nary a mention.
Strike two for Mitt and Barack. After passing on the opportunity to discuss any issues of relevance to cities and the 84 percent of Americans who live in and around them in the first debate, which was focused on domestic issues, yesterday's town hall style affair offered another ample opportunity to address such issues. However, as Bevilacqua notes, "for urbanists, once again the spectacle left something to be desired."
"You wouldn't know it from watching campaign coverage on cable news
channels," says Bevilacqua, "but urban issues actually are playing a role in this election.
Just this past spring brought us the mire that was the House transportation bill debate. And remember in August, when Republicans officially rejected Agenda 21?
With one candidate threatening to defund not only Amtrak but the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the other all but
silent on his urban achievements, a lot is at stake for U.S. cities this
November."
FULL STORY: Another Debate, Another Lack of Urban Topics

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