United States

Analyzing 2017's 'State of the City' Addresses
The National League of Cities has released its annual report aggregating the "State of the City" speeches from over 100 U.S. mayors, revealing the ambitions and concerns of the nation's local leadership.

How American Homeownership Fosters Inequality
Matthew Desmond, author of "Evicted," looks at the lives of Americans across the economic spectrum to gain insight into how homeownership, mainly through the mortgage tax deduction, keeps the U.S. unequal.

Brutalism Becoming a Source of Preservation Controversy
Brutalism might not be anybody's idea of beautiful, but that doesn't mean examples of the architectural style aren't beloved by many. As Brutalism comes of age as historic, preservation battles are heating up—especially in Washington, D.C.

Successful Ballot Measures Spell Doom for Transit Funding in Trump's 2018 Budget
President Trump points to the passage of multi-billion ballot measures last November as proof that federal funding isn't needed to fund transit, justifying elimination of a major grants program. The CEOs of two large transit agencies fight back.

Funds Directed to Transit Projects in 2017 Budget May Not Be Allocated
Funding for Caltrain electrification, which Transportation Secretary Chao approved May 22, is one of 21 transit projects receiving funding in the omnibus spending bill that may be contingent on approval from the Trump Administration.

To Save New Urbanism From #MAGA, it's Time to Get Political
An opinion piece acknowledges the similarities between the nostalgia of New Urbanism and the "Make American Great Again" sentiment behind Trump's rise to power. New Urbanism has a chance, still, to change its path.

EPA Alleges Fiat Chrysler Cheated Tests Measuring Carbon Pumped Into Atmosphere
The U.S. government will sue Fiat Chrysler Automobiles over software that allowed cars to pass emissions tests while letting out more pollutants than would be allowed.

Friday Fun: Toddlers Take to the Race Track
The hot new wheels of choice for little ones to learn how to ride bikes are called balance bikes. "Welcome to the Tour de France of Toddler Racing," says the Wall Street Journal.

Who Killed the Federal Study of Transit Costs?
The Government Accountability Office was set to investigate why U.S. transit capital investments are so expensive, especially in contrast to comparable European projects, but that study will not leave the station.

Census Data Reveals 2016 Population Winners and Losers
The U.S. Census released its 2016 population data today. It feels a lot like a popularity contest.

California Invented 'Botts' Dots' Raised Pavement Markers—Now it's Phasing Them Out
A staple of the California driving experience will soon be a thing of the past.

Los Angeles Signal Priority System Should Be a Model for U.S. Transit Systems
Signal priority is a way to create faster, more regular bus service by adjusting length of stoplights for buses.

Bad Science Linked to Fears of Fake Grass
A college soccer coach's disproved theory that claims artificial truf causes cancer refuses to die.

Nevada BLM Land to Stay in Federal Hands
The Honor the Nevada Enabling Act, proposed by Rep. Mark Amodei (R-Nevada) to transfer some Bureau of Land Management property to state control, will not be brought to Congress.

Activating Artists as an Urban Resource
Planning and art don't traditionally mix, but that's changing. Embedded at NYC's Department of Design and Construction, artist Mary Miss envisions public art as an infrastructural aid.

Comparing the Differences in Property Taxes Around the United States
The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence have released their annual "50-State Property Tax Comparison Study."

A Scathing Critique of Elon Musk's Big Tunneling Idea
Not all ideas are worth attention. What does the fact that ideas like Elon Musk's The Boring Company get so much attention say about the quality of civic discourse, or the potential for planning to improve the built environment?

A Change of Heart by Secretary Chao on California's Oldest Commuter Rail Line
A week ago, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao indicated she would not sign-off on the $647 million federal grant for the $2 billion Caltrain electrification project. On Monday, she changed her mind.

Northeast is Next Market for Fuel Cell Vehicles
The only state where fuel cell electric vehicles can be leased is California where 30 hydrogen refueling stations exist now, with 100 planned to be in operation by 2020. Almost no public refueling stations exist elsewhere, but that's about to change.

Solving Homelessness: Title V's Shortcomings and Potential Explained
The Title V program makes the hard parts of solving homelessness—finding the money and the property—a lot easier. So why hasn't it been used at a much larger scale?
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