A multifaceted £100 billion infrastructure modernization plan for the UK was announced this week by Treasury Minister Danny Alexander. The opposition Labour party is objecting to the timeline for the investments, which aren't due to start until 2015.
Centerpieces of the plan announced today include £3 billion to build 165,000 new affordable homes, £28 billion for road improvements, £10 billion for school building repairs, and £370 million for flood defences. In introducing the plan, which allocates £50 billion for projects beginning in 2015-16, and the remainder to be spent between 2016-2020, Alexander noted that it includes the largest investment in road building in 40 years and the most substantial support for new homes in more than two decades.
"Treasury Minister Danny Alexander said the plans put 'long-term priorities before short-term political pressures'," notes the BBC. "But Labour said projects must start now and capital investment in the engine of the economy was actually falling."
"Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said spending was being directed towards 'polluting high-carbon infrastructure' such as roads and shale gas instead of prioritising jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency,"
"The British Chambers of Commerce welcomed the announcement but said it must quickly be translated into action. 'Infrastructure projects are too often promised and too rarely delivered in this country, and that cycle must be broken,' director of policy Adam Marshall said."
FULL STORY: Spending Review: Energy and transport to get share of £100bn
San Diego School District Approves Affordable Housing Plan
The district plans to build workforce housing for 10 percent of its employees in the next decade and explore other ways to contribute to housing development.
Phoenix Facilitates School-to-Affordable Housing Development
Two Phoenix school districts are selling their underused properties to build over 200 units of affordable housing.
Fact Check: New Housing Doesn’t Lead to Overcrowded Schools
A common refrain heard by locals opposed to new housing developments is that area schools can’t absorb the increase in students they’ll bring. As the nation approaches an “enrollment cliff,” the data tells a different story.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)