United States

After Painful Recession-Related Cuts, Cities Adding Jobs Again

Rising property tax revenues, tax hikes, and the broader economic recovery are driving the longest municipal government hiring streak in the United States since 2008. However, many jobs eliminated during the recession won't be returning.

July 30, 2013 - The Wall Street Journal

Can America Salvage Its Waste-to-Energy Opportunities?

With 87 total waste-to-energy plants in the U.S., the country is only able to convert 12 percent of its trash to electricity (compared to 38 percent for Germany, for instance). Why is America still sending 55 percent of its trash to landfills?

July 29, 2013 - Governing

Solar's Existential Threat to America's Electricity Industry

Government incentives have long sought to boost the viability of renewable energy sources. Though it accounts for less than a quarter of 1 percent of America's power generation, utility companies say its time to stop subsidizing solar.

July 29, 2013 - The New York Times

New House Members Get Transportation Insolvency 101 Lesson

With the impending bankruptcy of the Highway Trust Fund in October, 2014, a House Transportation & Infrastructure subcommittee invited two transportation experts - one from CBO the other from DOT, to lay out the stark facts - but did it do any good?

July 28, 2013 - Truckinginfo.com

Infrastructure Investment Pushed by Obama at Jacksonville Port

President Obama used a tour of Jaxport to promote infrastructure investment, e.g. accommodating larger ships and intermodal cargo transfer to trains to stimulate the economy and increase employment, and maybe convert some Republicans to the cause.

July 27, 2013 - The New York Times - Politics

Active Transit Projects 2013

Mapping Every Active Transit Project in America

Reconecting America has assembled its Transit Space Race guide for 2013, a handy interactive map and spreadsheet of the 721 fixed guideway projects being planned or built across the U.S. The projects represent more than $250 billion in investments.

July 26, 2013 - Reconnecting America

College Campuses Test Tomorrow's Solutions for Combating Climate Change

Driven by student activism and less idealistic motivations for improving energy efficiency, college campuses across the Unites States are pioneering 'innovative approaches to rethinking energy infrastructure'.

July 25, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Fall Sprawl

The Outer Limits of Walk Score

Planning professor Doug Kelbaugh lives in one of the few neighborhoods outside Manhattan with a perfect 100 Walk Score. His brother's house in South Carolina has a Walk Score of 1. Kelbaugh reflects on the extremes, and what they mean.

July 25, 2013 - Congress for the New Urbanism

Del Mar Station TOD

Why the New Urbanist Visionary Who Coined 'TOD' Wants to Retire It

In a wide-ranging interview with Metropolis Magazine, CNU founding member Peter Calthorpe opines on China's planning process, the future of America's suburbs, CA high-speed rail, and why he would retire the term 'transit oriented development'.

July 24, 2013 - Metropolis POV Blog

America's Best Urban Bike Paths

Mark Lebetkin highlights 19 of the best bike paths to be found in America's cities. From San Deigo to Boston, the paths were chosen for their beauty, accessibility, and functionality.

July 24, 2013 - The Active Times

Should Electric Cars Get Free Parking?

Ideally, the best way to encourage sales of non-polluting electric vehicles would be to price carbon emissions. But if that isn't possible, why not reward EV owners with perks such as free parking; or would that be a distortionary incentive?

July 24, 2013 - UC Berkeley: Energy Economics Exchange

Millennials Not Ready to Leave Mom's Basement

During the Great Recession, household formation in the U.S. was well below historic levels, dimming the demand for new homes. Although many sectors of the economy have experienced sustained recoveries, household growth still lags.

July 24, 2013 - Trulia

America's Rail Station Renaissance

The latter half of the twentieth century saw the slow decline of train travel and the deterioration of America's grand railroad stations. Amid growing rail readership, the country is embarking on a new era of station construction.

July 24, 2013 - Urban Land

Ocean Grove Sidewalk

Why Don't We Allow Designers to Create Cites for People?

Cars kill us and drive us crazy; while walking and biking improve our mental and physical health. So why do we design our cities for cars, asks Jeffrey Tumlin.

July 23, 2013 - Good

Emergency Sign

New Study: More Urban = More Safe

A new study by researchers at Children's and the University of Pennsylvania concludes that, contrary to popular perception, cities are safer than rural or suburban areas. Higher rates of fatal car accidents outside cities are largely to blame.

July 23, 2013 - philly.com

America's Geography of Opportunity

A new study presents the 'most detailed portrait yet' of the places in America where opportunities for, and obstacles to, upward mobility abound. The Southeast and industrial Midwest are the most difficult places to rise out of poverty.

July 22, 2013 - The New York Times

Inner-Ring Reboot

Urban Land looks at the reinvention of America's inner-ring suburbs. The authors explore the challenges of mixing uses, integrating cars and attaining authenticity as planners and developers seek the right recipe for the next big wave of development.

July 20, 2013 - Urban Land

Amtrak ACS-64

Amtrak's New Outdated Trains

Why is Amtrak spending $500 million on new locomotives for the Northeast Corridor that are "fat, expensive and slow"? Americans have the the Federal Railroad Administration's "globally-unique crash safety standards" to thank.

July 19, 2013 - The New York Observer

How Can Cities Manage the Post-Growth Transition?

While cities are growing, it's comparatively easy to keep a healthy balance sheet. But for cities like Charlotte, managing the transition from a growth economy to economic sustainability is a treacherous one. Aaron Renn delivers a cautionary tale.

July 19, 2013 - Governing

Confirmed! Gina McCarthy Is Now EPA Administrator

Gina McCarthy's confirmation has been stalled by Senate Republicans who claimed she hadn't answered the 1,000 questions they gave her. Her confirmation vote, 59-40 on Thursday, results from a filibuster compromise that the Senate reached on Tuesday.

July 19, 2013 - Los Angeles 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.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA

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