Obama Administration

Obama Administration Adds New Clout to Fair Housing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has released the details of the final rule for Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, which will give new strength to the goals set forth by the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

July 10, 2015 - The New York Times

Opinion: Supreme Court Ruling on EPA's Mercury Rule Will Have Little Effect

When the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against the Environmental Protection Agency on June 29, it appeared as a blow against mercury regulation by the EPA and a victory for coal power plants. David Roberts of Vox looks closer and finds that's not the case

July 5, 2015 - Vox

Supreme Court Overturns EPA's Mercury Rules

In a close ruling, the Supreme Court decided the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had not properly considered the costs of new regulations limiting mercury and other emissions.

June 29, 2015 - Associated Press

HUD's 'Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing' Provokes Controversy in Congress

A rule proposed by the Obama Administration has been criticized for attempting to build an "unrealistic utopia." The Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing would require cities to fund affordable housing in a broader spectrum of neighborhoods.

June 15, 2015 - The Hill

Local Opposition Growing to Atlantic Coast Drilling Plans

Back in January 2015, the Obama Administration pitched a proposal to allow offshore oil exploration along the Atlantic Coast. As more local stakeholders reveal their verdicts on the idea, some are finding reason to oppose.

May 9, 2015 - The Virginian-Pilot

Obama Administration Drafts Transportation Bill; May 31 Deadline Looms

In all likelihood the $478 billion transportation bill proposed by the Obama Administration earlier this week is dead on arrival. But can the federal government get a long-term bill together by the May 31 deadline?

April 3, 2015 - The Washington Post

Transportation Secretary Foxx Lays Policy Groundwork at TRB's Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board provided an opportunity for Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to begin to address the changing needs of the nation's transportation system.

January 14, 2015 - The Washington Post

New Orleans Streetcar

Has the Streetcar Boom Reached the End of the Line?

Politico takes a critical look at the streetcar trend in American cities—which had some high profile setbacks during 2014—with an eye toward the legacy of the Obama Administration.

January 1, 2015 - Politico

Los Angeles' Promise Zone Treats Schools as Hubs to Strengthen Communities

With the national Promise Zone grant initiative rolling out in Los Angeles, the Youth Policy Institute aims to deploy funds strategically in targeted areas that struggle with poverty.

May 13, 2014 - The Planning Report

Obama Administration Proposes $1 Billion for Affordable Housing Fund

The $1 billion proposed by the Obama Administration for affordable housing would be the first allotment to the National Housing Trust Fund, created in 2008. Is $1 billion enough?

March 10, 2014 - Reuters - U.S.

Looking Back on the 5th Anniversary of the Federal Stimulus

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed into law on February 17, 2009, less than a month into President Obama's first term. The Council of Economic Advisers recently presented its final quarterly report on ARRA's impacts.

February 18, 2014 - WhiteHouse.gov

Obama Picks Up the Resilience Buzz with $1 Billion Fund Proposal

President Obama is in California today to pitch a $1 billion “resilience fund” to help communities dealing with the weather impacts of climate change—including the state’s current drought.

February 14, 2014 - The Hill

Feds Get Behind Participatory Budgeting

Participatory budgeting (PB) has been tried on a limited local level in several cities across the United States. A new White House initiative indicates the practice may become a common way of determining how to distribute certain federal funds.

December 14, 2013 - Next City

New EPA Head Vows to Make Climate Change the Agency's Top Priority

After a long confirmation delay, Gina McCarthy, the new head of the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency, has wasted little time wading into the controversy over the agency's (and administration's) role in addressing climate change.

July 31, 2013 - The Washington Post

Momentous Climate Plan Being Development by Obama

An historic plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions is being covertly developed by the Obama administration, reports Neela Banerjee. The plan could for the first time set limits on the country's biggest emitters: power plants.

June 18, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

As Feds Drag Their Feet on New Regulations, Environmentalists Fume

Worries about the economic impacts of new regulations, high-level vacancies and election-year politics have raised the review time for new rules being considered by the Obama administration to a 20-year high. Many in his own party are not pleased.

June 13, 2013 - The New York Times

Civic Tech Leader Joins Obama Administration

Jennifer Pahlka, the founder and executive director of civic tech leader Code for America, has announced she's taking a year-long sabbatical to join the staff of the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House.

May 31, 2013 - Next City

Handicapping the Hunt for the Next Transportation Secretary

Ryan Holeywell looks at the contenders to replace Ray LaHood as Obama's Secretary of Transportation. Although his departure has not been officially announced, LaHood has previously signaled that he would leave after the president's first term.

November 17, 2012 - Governing

EPA to Announce Strict New Fuel-Efficiency Standards

By requiring the U.S. auto fleet to average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, the standards announced today by the Obama administration will significantly cut U.S. oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, reports Juliet Eilperin.

August 28, 2012 - The Washington Post

How Obama Bungled the Housing Crisis

President Obama can rightfully claim that many of the initiatives his administration pushed through in his first years in office helped reverse the acute economic slide he inherited. His efforts to cleanup the housing crash were far less successful.

August 21, 2012 - The New York Times

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.