With today's inauguration, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is embarking on a "monumental shift in both style and substance in the mayor's office," reports Moriah Balingit. The biggest question facing the progressive mayor is where to begin.
As Bill Peduto completes his swearing-in on this frigid January day, a number of ambitious items compete to top the mayor's agenda as he eschews the "old-style politics" of past administrations.
Neighborhood development is one area where the new mayor seeks to break from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's "grand vision for reform [that] was dubbed 'Pittsburgh's Third Renaissance,'" writes Balingit. "Tonight, we end the era of renaissance. There is not going to be a Renaissance Four," said Peduto on election night. "It's about building within, rebuilding the neighborhoods."
"To that end, his administration has expanded the city planning department to better engage with neighborhoods," adds Balingit. "And a whole division of his Cabinet will be dedicated to helping neighborhoods who have been left behind while the city forged ahead."
In addition to his own priorities, Peduto can draw on an extensive "blueprint" of ideas gathered from more than 1,100 members of the public.
Read the full story: New Pittsburgh government set to launch as Peduto has laid out some lofty goals
Climate Mayors Make Their Case to Climate Senators at their First Hearing
Five "climate mayors" addressed the Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis at their fist hearing on July 17, titled, “A Blueprint for Success: U.S. Climate Action at the Local Level.” Transportation was a major issue.
Advocates Press for Harder Questions While Pittsburgh Experiments With Self-Driving Cars
Five self-driving car companies are currently operating in Pittsburgh, without much critical rigor in asking about the consequences of the technology to the city.
Pittsburgh's Big Development Plans Ready to Switch Gears
There are plenty of big, splashy projects to track in Pittsburgh's development pipeline.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Brightline Florida files for bankruptcy
The transit company is over $5 billion in debt.
St. Louis Metro to test if single-car trains can reduce operating costs, maintain rider satisfaction
The pilot program will run from October to spring 2027, and begin with one single-car train operating on Metrolink’s Red and Blue lines.
Pennsylvania is building data centers in abandoned mines
Housing data centers in mines provides an alternative to destroying local forests and may spare residents from data centers’ noise and air pollution.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello