City Council

'Councilmanic Prerogative' Hindering Development in Philadelphia
The legislative quid pro quo is being used by members of the city council for the wrong reasons, leaving neighborhoods throughout the city in limbo.

Charlotte Gets Funding for Bike Infrastructure Plan
After creating a citywide plan, many thought a Charlotte bike lanes would not get funded. After a city council vote it will.
After Drive By Shooting, Chicago Aims to Ban Guns in Party Buses
Chicago City Council is moving to close a loop hole in its gun control laws which forbid guns in bars, but do not cover party buses.
City Hall 'Outsider' on Opening Up L.A.'s Development Process
Los Angeles is experiencing an elevated anti-growth conversation and suspicion of insider dealings at City Hall. In the midst of this, a councilmember known as an "outsider" aims to reconcile his constituents with the city's development processes.
Lawsuit Over Contract Planning Work Embroils Paterson, New Jersey
The city of Paterson, New Jersey, is suing the City-Council-appointed Board of Adjustment in a dispute over using in-house planners versus contract planners.
New Faces on the Denver City Council Brings New Skepticism Toward Development
Denver has a reputation for building new residential units to accommodate its rapid growth. But the incoming class of new city councilmembers brings strong anti-development politics.
Developers are 'Poisonous' to Los Angeles City Council Hopefuls
Developers are persona no grata in a high-profile City Council election in Los Angeles. Is it a case of NIMBYs gone wild or the empowerment of neighborhood interests?
Bikelash Halts 22nd Street Bike Lane in Philadelphia
Despite an August repaving of 22nd street in the Fairmount neighborhood, lane markings have yet to appear due to City Council scuffles on whether or not the street will undergo a road diet and add an additional bike lane.
UK cities, mayoral powers, and "tall poppy syndrome"
This morning over at Atlantic Cities, Richard Florida aptly refuted an opinion piece by Kevin Meagher that appeared in the Guardian last week advocating for doing away with the position of Mayor in London. Florida lays out several strong arguments in favor of a strong elected mayor who can act as an advocate for his or her city.
Architect/Planner-Turned-Councilman Offers Thoughts on City's Future
An architect takes a seat on the Wet Hollywood City Council, and offers his thoughts on density and parking in the city and where things went wrong.
Funding for Washington DC H Street Streetcar Line Pulled at 11th Hour
The Washington DC City Council voted Wednesday to approve a FY2011 budget which strips nearly all the funding to complete the H Street-Benning Road streetcar line. The line is partially complete, and several streetcars have already been purchased.
Prayer at City Council
The ACLU and local clergy are fighting over the prayers recited at City Council meetings in San Marcos, Texas, near Austin.
Term Limits Affecting Long-Range City Planning
Elected city officials in dozens of cities want to overturn term limits, saying current ones keep them from being able to tackle long-range projects.
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.
City of Brookings
City of White Salmon
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
M-NCPPC Prince George's County Planning Department
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service