The Republican and Democratic parties both claim to understand the importance of infrastructure, but they show support in vastly different ways.
Yonah Freemark digs into the information about what each of the two major political parties plan to do about infrastructure in the United States. On one side, the Republican Party platform [pdf] is pushing for a more limited federal role. On the other side, both the Democratic Party platform [pdf] and Hillary Clinton have pushed for expanded investments in infrastructure.
To create the analysis, Freemark digs into the official party platforms of both parties, together with an infrastructure plan released by the Hillary Clinton campaign. The campaign of Donald Trump has not released a similar infrastructure plan. Freemark then organizes the analysis on several themes, namely the role of the federal government, funding, public transportation and intercity rail, non-motorized modes, climate change, and project management. Freemark also adds a brief description of the policy agenda on these issues from the Libertarian and Green parties.
Read the full story: Both parties claim support for investing in infrastructure. But how will they do it?
Does Place Matter Anymore? Cities and the 2016 Election
Cities have appeared to figure very little into the presidential election up to now. To get a sense of whether this impression is accurate, I spent some time looking at the two party platforms, and the two candidate's websites.
Do Republicans Hate Cities?
Author Kevin Baker offers a historical perspective of the Republican Party's shift to the "anti-urban party".
Executive Order Pauses Infrastructure, Clean Energy Funds
Trump’s order puts a freeze on unspent funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan
Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.
Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment
Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.
A 3D concrete printer may solve Virginia’s housing crisis
The printer is able to build concrete walls much faster than humans, and can do so directly at job sites.
Newsom vetoes high-speed rail supervision bill after agency receives condemnatory audit
The audit found the CHSRA approved almost $600,000 in unallowable travel expenses.
Nation sees first electric plane-boat hybrid take off in public demo
The Viceroy Seaglider can fly at speeds of 180mph for up to 180 miles.
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
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello