Advocacy
The APA noted that the 115th Congress was "marked by divisive rhetoric, partisan stalemates, and threats to programs on which local communities rely." At the end of the year, however, it could still celebrate substantial victories.
American Planning Association
Politico makes the team at TransitMatters in Boston nationally famous.
Politico Magazine
Dr. Katharine Hayhoe is the leading expert in how to have difficult conversations about climate change—like the kind when facts aren't enough.
Sightline Institute
Houston joins cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and Minneapolis in demanding a greater return on public dollars.
Next City
Despite decades of our raising the issue of displacement in the face of rising rents, many Americans still do not see this as a call-to-action or a failure of public policy. Here is why our housing messaging may be backfiring.
Shelterforce/Rooflines
The American Planning Association has been outspoken in its opposition to the cuts proposed by the, still speculative, budget proposed by the Trump Administration.
American Planning Association
Renters who care about neighborhood issues have avenues for creating change, but they need to be savy about getting their message across.
Strong Towns
New York magazine offers a long reflection on the shifting lessons offered by Jane Jacobs after a year of new books and a re-emergence into the public eye.
New York
Blog post
Making better places is a core value for many planners, but don’t let a lack of passion stand between you and a strong career in planning.
An equity strategist offers advice on creating safe streets programs that address systemic racism.
Streetsblog
In light of the resignation of APTA's president following the withdrawal of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Transit Center offers its recommendations for reforming the national transit advocacy organization.
Transit Center
Looking for a greater awareness of social responsibility, the founder and editor-in-chief of The Architect's Newspaper calls for a new organization tasked with advocacy in New York City.
The Architect's Newspaper
All eyes are on Iowa's caucuses today, but presidential campaigns will be touring communities all over the country for months. The APA wants planners to be ready to explain the importance of planning when such rare opportunities arise.
APA Policy News
Streetsblog presents a look back, with some snark involved, at the year that was in transportartion.
Streetsblog USA
Blog post
Marc Doussard of University of Illinois guest blogs on his new work in the Journal of Planning Education and Research, available with open access through Dec. 15, 2015.
The American Planning Association took to Washington, D.C. recently to seek support for legislative actions that will enable the planning efforts of the next few years.
APA Policy News
Melissa Bruntlett pens a thoughtful essay on the importance of female involvement in urbanism issues and activities.
modacity
Transportation readers who prefer reading a less auto-centric perspective of issues will see losses this year, as budgetary constraints at Streetsblog caused the layoff of Tanya Snyder of Streetsblog USA and the temporary loss of Streetsblog Chicago.
StreetsBlog NYC
As urban planners, we must not only innovate, but make our innovations count in the marketplace of ideas. We must make the benefits of livability easily understood, with a clear path for making them happen. Scott Doyon encourages rooted innovation.
PlaceShakers
You probably didn't end up on your community's planning commission because of your lack of opinions. Now that you are performing this service to the community, how do you balance your past political inclinations and maintain a fair process?
PlannersWeb
