The potential to address the housing and transportation issues of the Bay Area by a single regional agency will be addressed this week.

On Wednesday (10/28), the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in Oakland will vote on the plan to merge planning staff with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). Writing in the San Jose Mercury News, Egon Terplan, the Regional Planning Director for SPUR (a civic group involved in regional planning issues for the Bay Area), sees the potential upside to the combined efforts of MTC and ABAG.
"The proposal to create a merged planning department within MTC not only offers a path toward better integrating land use and transportation, but also an opportunity to move above our sometimes narrow perspective about what's best for our neighborhood or community and toward what's best for everyone in the region."
The combined agencies efforts would also allow better planning and response to the region’s pressing issues of "displacement, access to shared prosperity and how to fully prepare for climate change," Terplan writes.
FULL STORY: Bay area needs a single regional agency for planning and funding

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.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service