United States
The Dwindling, and Highly Necessary, Property Tax
Tax caps, assessment limitations, and other property tax relief programs have caused significant damage to the largest source of revenue for ailing cities, says a new book by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Density Isn't Everything
Neal Payton says that density gets too much of the limelight when planning transit-oriented development, and that design and diversity should get more focus during the planning stages.
Mortgage Modification Bad for Banks
James Surowiecki dispels the myth that banks are better off renegotiating mortgage then foreclosing.
Office of Urban Affairs on Tour
Adolfo Carrión, Jr., Director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs, reports from a tour he's taking to spur a national conversation about the role cities and metropolitan areas should take in national policy.
Metros Still Struggling With Vacancies
Housing vacancies are still rising in many American metropolitan areas.
Downtowns Not the Economic Engines They Used to Be
Downtowns used to serve primarily as the economic and job hub of a community, but are shifting to be more focused on providing a entertainment center and civic forum.
Chicago Suburbs See Fewer Freight Trains, Not More
Where are all the trains? Chicago suburbs worried about an expected increase in freight trains due to the CN purchase of a rail spur through their backyard, but that worry has not materialized after the acquisition.
Jane Jacobs, NIMBY?
Howard Husock reads two new books on Jane Jacobs, which he says reveal the unexplored significance of Jacob's activist side, opening the doors to protesting the entire activity of city planning.
Allocate High Speed Rail Full $4 Billion, Argues NYT
In this editorial, the New York Times urges the Senate not to reduce the House's high speed rail budget allocation of $4 billion to $1.4 billion. Though President Obama is a prominent supporter of HSR, he supports delaying the transportation bill.
Suburbs: The Last Frontier
As people move to cities and the outer suburbs begin to become more desolate, what will become of them? WorldChanging envisions the suburbs as the next frontier.
MPOs Have Scope, But No Power
As the regionality of urban planning issues becomes more clear, metropolitan planning organizations are uniquely suited to shape the policy response. But, according to this piece from Citiwire, they lack the power to do it.
House Votes To Extend Clunkers Program
The Cash For Clunkers Program or CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) received a major vote of confidence on July 31 when the House overwhelmingly voted to inject $2 billion into the enormously popular program.
Top Cities for Active People
Outside Magazine ranks the top 10 U.S. cities for people who like to exercise and be outdoors.
How Policy Can Make Better Neighborhoods and Schools
A new study from The Brookings Institution discusses how school quality and neighborhood affordability are linked, and how both can be improved.
'Cash For Clunkers' Kaput?
The Fed's "Cash For Clunkers" program, which set aside funds to give people an incentive to trade in old polluting cars for newer models, is already reportedly running out of money. (VIDEO)
$7 Billion Stop-Gap Measure for Highway Fund
On Weds., the U.S. House of Representatives approved $7 billion in stop-gap funding for road, bridge and transit projects until SAFETEA-LU can be reauthorized.
24% Reduction in Emissions Possible by 2050
Changing changing transportation habits and land-use patterns in America could result in a 24 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, says a new report from Cambridge Systematics.
Feds Take Action On Driving While Texting
Banning "DWT" - driving while texting, could soon become the next 'seat belt requirement' for states to avoid forfeiture of some of their federal highway funds if a Senate bill is to become law.
Un-Damming America's Rivers
Dams are increasingly being removed in the U.S. as part of an effort to save fish.
'Invisible' Cities Want Bigger Role in Climate Bill
Officials in big cities are expressing disappointment that the House-approved climate bill looks to state capitals for guidance, not the metropolitan areas the bill will largely impact.
Pagination
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont