United States

Could a Petition Sway the U.S. DOT to Change Its Ancient Road Classification System?

US Department of Transportation (DOT) officials would consider a change in the way they classify thoroughfares — to the benefit of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users — but they need political support, writes Robert Steuteville.

June 10, 2013 - Better! Cities & Towns

The Rich Get Richer: Gap Widens Between Most and Least Affordable Housing Markets

New data indicates that housing prices are rising unequally across the United States, with the least affordable markets rising faster than more affordable ones. The growing gap could have implications for demographic trends and housing policies.

June 7, 2013 - Trulia

Little-Noticed Rule Change May Be Big Statement of Obama's Climate Agenda

The DoE recently updated its energy-efficiency standards for microwaves. Big deal, right? Actually, observes Brad Plumer, by upping the 'social cost of carbon' used to calculate the benefits of the rule, the government has made a big shift.

June 6, 2013 - The Washington Post

America's Top Springs of Suburban Poverty

Poverty is now more widespread in America's suburbs than its cities. But the suburbs of some cities are experiencing more dramatic increases than others. 24/7 Wall St. examines the top 10 sources of suburban poverty.

June 6, 2013 - 24/7 Wall St.

Broken Bike Helmet

Bike Helmet Safety Not What We Thought It To Be

According to Jim Titus, two federal government agencies will withdraw their claims that bike helmets are "85% effective".

June 6, 2013 - Greater Greater Washington

Violent Crime Is Up Across America: Is That Really Not a Big Deal?

While new data from the FBI shows that violent crime is on the rise across the U.S. after five years of large declines, John Roman and Laura Pacifici argue that the modest increases don't necessarily predict the reversal of long-term trends.

June 5, 2013 - Urban Institute: MetroTrends Blog

Which of America's Cities Has the Most Plentiful Parks?

Emily Badger looks at the latest "ParkScore" rankings released by the Trust for Public Land (TPL). Using advanced GIS, TPL ranks America's fifty largest cities by evaluating factors including park access, size, services and investment.

June 5, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Piecing Together a Central Park for the Entire United States

The American Prairie Foundation is piecing together 500,000 acres of privately owned land across the Great Plains to join with three million acres of public land in forming one of the world’s largest wildlife reserves.

June 5, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Investors Drive Rise in U.S. Housing Prices; Should We Be Wary?

The nationwide rebound in housing prices has been treated as welcome news. But should we be celebrating the growing presence of large investment firms in our communities, often at the expense of the ordinary buyer?

June 5, 2013 - The New York Times

American Home Ownership: Dream Deferred or In Need of Renovation?

While conceding that suburbia, and home construction patterns, will change in the coming decades, a new report from Joel Kotkin argues that the "dream" of suburban American homeownership is alive and well and poised to remain relevant.

June 4, 2013 - New Geography

Two Pessimistic Outlooks on Fixing the Nation's Bridges

Brian Naylor of NPR and Stephen Lee Davis of Transportation for America examine different aspects of the government's inability to ensure that bridges are in a state of good repair.

June 4, 2013 - NPR

McMansions

America's Appetite for Big Homes Returns

The recent reversal of America's historic trends in city growth, driving rates, and home sizes have urbanists wondering about their long-term prospects as the economy recovers. Recent data indicates one of those trends didn't have staying power.

June 4, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Senator Frank Lautenberg, Friend to Transit, Dies at 89

New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, the last World War Two veteran to serve in the body, passed away on Monday. Kate Hinds looks at the record of 'the driving force between some of the country's most transformative transportation policies.'

June 4, 2013 - WNYC: Transportation Nation

Feds Clear the Road for Self-Driving Cars

This week, the NHTSA issued the federal government's first directive on the benefits and hurdles related to the introduction of self-driving cars. The guidelines should make it easier for companies to develop autonomous technologies.

June 1, 2013 - Los Angeles Times

Upending Trickle-Down Techniques for Creating Public Space

Michael Kimmelman looks at the wave of 'cheap, quick, temporary and D.I.Y.-style approaches' that are introducing a more successful means of creating public space than traditional trickle-down techniques.

May 31, 2013 - The New York Times

A More Accurate Measurement of Community Connection

To better understand a city's size, look not to its resident population total but to its daytime population. 'Commuter-adjusted populations' have implications for everything from emergency evacuation procedures to transportation infrastructure.

May 31, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

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

Is the U.S. Ready for Fuel Cell Vehicles?

Toyota is set to introduce its first fuel cell vehicles in the U.S. in 2015, which are expected to cost between $50,000 and $100,000. But will the U.S. be ready for it, i.e. will there be hydrogen fueling stations? Yes, say public officials.

May 31, 2013 - Automotive.com

Maximizing Your City's Friendship Dividend

If Jane Jacobs's theory that face-to-face encounters make for better cities is correct, a new metric that measures the ability of a city to encourage random social interactions could prove essential in shaping urban policy.

May 30, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Cycling's Diversity Belies Infrastructure Divide

A new report documents the diversity of America's cycling community, countering the stereotype of the "spandex- or skinny jean-clad" white rider. However, minority communities suffer from a deficit of cycling infrastructure. Can this be changed?

May 30, 2013 - Grist

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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