Elections
In sharp contrast to France's yellow vest demonstrations against fuel tax hikes, Madrid residents took to the streets to keep them free of motor vehicles after new leaders were elected who vowed to rescind the driving ban enacted last November.
CityLab
On June 27, the Supreme Court didn't just rule on the Census Bureau's citizenship question. It also decided that it wasn't their business to consider how congressional districts are drawn, which will likely reduce the influence of cities.
The New York Times
In the run-up to a municipal primary scheduled for May 21, Philadelphia's City Council has introduced a range of bills to address housing affordability and tenants' rights.
Next City
The most recent citywide election in Chicago was considered a referendum on the old way of operating the city. The $6 billion Lincoln Yards project, on the brink of approval, could be included in that referendum.
Chicago Tribune
Nationwide, voters approved nearly 70 percent of transportation ballot measures on the ballot.
Eno Center for Transportation
A political feud over the image of the bicycle has just been resolved in the state of Uttar Predesh.
The New York Times
Today's suburbs have changed dramatically from a generation ago. Younger, more diverse, and more liberal, they are "trending more Democratic." The PBS News Hour explores this critical demographic shift five days before Election Day.
PBS NewsHour
Spokane, Washington may be at a crossroads as voters consider expanding the city's urban transportation system. Some say it's key to attracting young workers and building a walkable urban environment. Others see it as a waste of money.
The Spokesman-Review
A look back at a controversy from this month's Virginia State Senate election, which produced some seriously misleading rhetoric about "toll roads" (i.e., the proposal was for HOT lanes, not a toll road).
Vox
This week, voters in Philadelphia will decide on a ballot measure that could realign city government to create a new Department of Planning and Development.
PlanPhilly
Urban planning is front in center in Nashville, with a general plan update underway and a mayoral election looming on August 6. One candidate took to the editorial pages of The Tennessean to lay out a housing and transit agenda.
The Tennessean
There is little, or no, evidence that offering free transit on election day improves voter turnout. Today the Twin Cities will do it anyway for the sake of, hopefully, improving the democratic process.
CityLab
Stepping away from campaign rhetoric, what must the next mayor focus on to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for the largest city on the West Coast? Civic, business, labor, and intellectual readers offer advice to the next Mayor of Los Angeles.
The Planning Report
Blog post
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.
Blog post
If you can make it past rhetoric around healthcare,
abortion, collective bargaining, and immigration, the November 8th election
results tell a more cohesive and calming story about American’s political
sentiment. Despite a widespread expressed attitude of “throw the bums out,” incumbent
mayors won in every big city race on the ballot yesterday: Baltimore,
Charlotte, Houston, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia.
A variety of controversial planning policies and high-profile development projects in Melbourne have led to widespread resident frustration, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. Could planning issues change the city's larger political equation?
The Sydney Morning Herald
Despite what either of the state's two Republican gubernatorial candidates want, high speed rail is on its way to Wisconsin, according to DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.
BizTimes
Seattle is in the midst of a mayoral election, and while typical election issues are getting their own share of lip service from the candidates, land use is being overlooked.
Crosscut
City Limits breaks down the differences between the two presidential candidates with a focus on urban issues.
City Limits
Although it is a public transit success, Metrolink was cobbled together with old freight rail lines. It was a relatively cheap and quick way of providing rail service, but its drawbacks have become obvious.
California Planning and Development Report
