One of Bob Filner's better ideas during his short time as mayor was to establish a Civic and Urban Initiatives program, a think tank to spur innovation and civic engagement. Thankfully this program will outlive Filner's disgraceful departure.
"Former Mayor Bob Filner’s formal push to spur civic innovation endures despite the scandal that ended his mayoral tenure," reports Lisa Halverstadt. The program, tweaked and renamed the Civic Innovation Lab, will be operated by Planning Director Bill Fulton in consultation with UC San Diego professors Teddy Cruz and Fonna Forman.
"Fulton wants to start with smaller moves first. For example, he said, the city might experiment with new ways to approach urban gardening or street striping, or look at ways to add parklets in more San Diego neighborhoods," notes Halverstadt.
“In general, (these are) little experimental things, which could make a big difference in the way neighborhoods look and feel and operate,” Fulton said.
FULL STORY: Filner’s Incubator Lives On

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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