Biden Administration

Amtrak Connects US

$75 Billion 'Connect US' Plan Would Expand Amtrak Service All Over the Country

New attention for a plan to greatly expand Amtrak service in dozens of cities and regions around the United States.

June 21, 2021 - The Washington Post

Climate Protest

Developer Drops Keystone XL Plans

It's the latest turn of the screw for a project that has depended on the occupant in the White House.

June 10, 2021 - The New York Times

Electric Cars

American Jobs to Build Electric Vehicles Excludes Miners

Mining jobs needed to produce the metals for processing into battery parts used to build electric vehicles in America will not be developed in the U.S. but in Australia, Brazil and Canada, mainly to avoid battles with environmentalists.

June 2, 2021 - Reuters

Bay Bridge Toll

Funding Biden's Infrastructure Plan: Should Users or Corporations Pay?

After determining the size and scope of President Biden's infrastructure package, the next biggest challenge is determining how to pay for it. The partisan divide is steep, but Roll Call exposes division within the Democrats' ranks.

May 25, 2021 - Roll Call

Single-Family Homes

On the Essential Role of Land Use in the Fight Against Climate Change

The country cannot hope to achieve its goals for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions without fundamentally rethinking its land use and development patterns, according to this article.

May 24, 2021 - Brookings

Biden Administration

Biden's Infrastructure Targets Shift as Negotiations Commence

The Biden administration announced late last week that they would reduce the spending proposed in the American Jobs Plan from $2.25 trillion to $1.7 trillion, although there is some question about the true significance of those changes.

May 23, 2021 - Politico

Federal Transit Administration

How Much Will Buttigieg Change Federal Transportation Policy?

The USDOT secretary is making big promises, but an entrenched system makes it difficult to implement long-lasting, systemic change.

May 19, 2021 - Governing

Bureau of Land Management

Can the U.S. Preserve 30 Percent of its Lands and Waters?

The Biden administration released its preliminary report on a plan to conserve 30 percent of the nation's lands and waters by 2030, one big, ambitious component of the administration's climate plans.

May 9, 2021 - The Washington Post

COVID-19 Pandemic

Pandemic Endgame: Redefining the Herd Immunity Goal

So much for vaccines enabling the U.S. to achieve the cherished goal of herd immunity for COVID-19. It is becoming increasingly clear to many public health experts that likely will not happen, according to a New York Times global health reporter.

May 4, 2021 - The New York Times

Dealer

Biden Administration Hits Automotive Emissions Reset Button

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back Trump administration reductions of auto emission standards enacted by the Trump administration, and is taking first steps toward a new emissions agreement with automakers.

May 3, 2021 - The Washington Post

Colorado River

More Need Than Ever for Drought Resilience on the Colorado River

The effects of climate change are already cutting deeply into the lifeblood of the U.S. West—the Colorado River.

April 27, 2021 - Arizona Republic

Portland Condo High-Rise

Housing Vouchers Prove an Effective Tool Against Homelessness

The Biden administration plans to expand the federal housing voucher program, which currently provides rental assistance to 2.3 million U.S. households.

April 27, 2021 - Next City

Freeway Interchange Construction

GOP Counterproposal Aims to Restore the Infrastructure Status Quo

Of the $568 billion in spending proposed by the "Republican Roadmap," $299 billion would go to infrastructure for cars.

April 25, 2021 - Bloomberg

Clean Energy

Biden Pledges Big Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions

At the "Leaders Summit on Climate" today, President Joe Biden has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by 50-52 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2030.

April 22, 2021 - USA Today

COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Pandemic's Next Phase in the U.S.: When Vaccine Supply Exceeds Demand

The 'light at the end of the tunnel' has become brighter after the vaccination rate tripled since President Biden took office. According to an analysis, a vaccination enthusiasm tipping point will be reached in 2-4 weeks that could dim the light.

April 22, 2021 - Kaiser Family Foundation

Biden administration

What Planners Need to Know, and Ask, About the American Jobs Plan

The American Planning Association has a breakdown of the massive $2 trillion jobs plan that would change the course of federal infrastructure policy.

April 22, 2021 - American Planning Association

Rural Community

Change Would Expand the Definition of Rural to Cover More of the Country

Details on a proposed change of definition for Metropolitan Statistical Areas that would greatly expand the area of the country deemed rural.

April 21, 2021 - The Washington Post

Birmingham, Alabama

Federal Stimulus Offers a Chance for Local Reinvention

Cities around the country are making big plans for economic relief funding from the federal government.

April 21, 2021 - The Washington Post

Bus Lane New York City

Opinion: Federal Infrastructure Plan Must Prioritize Transit Investment

The Biden administration must combine increased funding with policies that mandate and encourage transit-oriented planning.

April 20, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Washington, D.C.

Biden Administration to Reinstate Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, Disparate Impact Rules

The pendulum swings on federal fair housing law.

April 18, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

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Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.