A regional perspective on the Congressional action to renew the controversial EB-5 program.
Ben Bergman reports that Southern Californian economists are applauding the renewal of the EB-5 program, which provides a path to citizenship for foreign who invest at least a million dollars and employ at least ten workers. William Yu, an economist from UCLA, says the program offers "not a trivial" boost to the economy.
According to Bergman, "The number of EB-5’s issued every year is capped at 10,000, a number that has been quickly reached in recent years." The article also notes that real estate projects, as well as films, are popular investments among EB-5 applicants in the Southern California area.
Opponents of the EB-5 program, which include U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), argue that it allows wealthy foreigners to cut in line for legal status in the United States. In 2014, Planetizen shared an argument in favor of the EB-5 based on its investment benefit in Rust Belt cities.
In a separate article, Chris Fuchs examines the national conversation (and controversy) over Congress' decision to renew the program.
Read the full story: Why the renewal of EB-5 is welcomed in Southern California
Popular transit payment system linked to Palantir could give ICE access to rider data
The tap-to-pay system is being used widely in transit systems including New York City, Boston and Chicago.
World Cup renews community spirit in LA's MacArthur Park
Soccer watch parties are bringing life back to the park that was recently the target of immigration raids and police actions.
DOT withholds $73M from New York over immigrant trucking licenses
The Trump administration is requiring states to revoke the CDLs of non-domiciled drivers without proof of citizenship or risk losing federal funds.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
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 Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority