United States

Energy Plan Might Stifle Growth, Say Governors

During an energy conference sponsored by the Southern Growth Policies Board, a number of governors said that taxes on energy production might drive up the cost of gas, which will could an impact on the whole industry.

June 11, 2009 - The Miami Herald

The Founder of ZipCar Moves Into Ride Sharing

Robin Chase co-founded ZipCar in 2000. Now she's working on GoLoco, a ride sharing system based on the ZipCar platforms.

June 11, 2009 - Urban Omnibus

Designers Should Lead to Fight Emissions

WorldChanging argues that more leadership from architects, landscape architects and planners is needed in a review of progress on Ed Mazria's 2030 Challenge, which calls for all buildings to be carbon neutral by 2030.

June 11, 2009 - THE DIRT

Community Energy Planning and the Stimulus -- Take a Time Out!

Stimulus money is available for a variety of energy efficiency projects, but many understaffed cities are having trouble meeting the impending deadlines. Jessica Millman, Joe Schilling, and Kathryn McCarty have found a loophole that can help.

June 11, 2009 - Joe Schilling

Nation's Largest Mass Transit Project is under Way

The second passenger rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River will link New Jersey with New York and will also double the capacity on the nation's busiest rail corridor.

June 10, 2009 - CNN

Forget Cars: Houses Are The Real Problem

The act of running and building our homes is responsible for almost half of the U.S.'s carbon footprint. GOOD Magazine asks, so why are we so obsessed with making cars sustainable instead of homes?

June 8, 2009 - GOOD Magazine

End Of The Infrastructure Privatization Craze

It was hailed as the solution to America's infrastructure spending deficit, but the influx of private funds has come to halt along with the failure of banks and the huge investment from the Recovery Act. Plus, many schemes aroused taxpayers wrath.

June 8, 2009 - The New York Times - Economy

Transportation Reauthorization Battles Ahead - Funding & Revenue Split

The transportation reauthorization bill will be hotly debated this fall on at least two fronts - finding a sustainable funding source and apportioning the revenues. The 18.4 cent gas tax, its funding source, declined 33% due to inflation since 1993.

June 8, 2009 - The New York Times - U.S.

Crafting the Next Generation of Smart Growth Policies

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy spent two years looking at smart growth policies in a number of states to see how well they've achieved their goals. Gregory K. Ingram, President of the Institute, explains the results.

June 8, 2009 - Gregory K. Ingram

Powerful Human Impact on Landscapes and Environment

The videos from the time-lapse images compiled from NASA Earth Observatory show some most impressive conquests of man over environment.

June 7, 2009 - THE DIRT

Biden Plugs CA High-Speed Rail For Funding

Notwithstanding a $24.3 billion state budget deficit, CA is well-positioned to receive at least 10% of the Recovery Act funding for high speed rail, says Biden. Two corridors in southern and northern CA have been identified for funding.

June 7, 2009 - Los Angeles Times Blog

Troubled Landmarks Rule in Chicago Could Upset Preservation Across U.S.

Chicago's historic landmarks ordinance is being challenged in the courts and is expected to be ruled unconstitutional. Blair Kamin discusses the impact the rule change could have on historic preservation in Chicago and beyond.

June 7, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Eliminate Child Safety Program to Cut Budget?

House Republicans sent President Obama a $375 billion budget-cutting plan, which slices $1 billion from bicycle and pedestrian programs.

June 6, 2009 - STREETSBLOG.ORG

Going Green With Brown and Yellow

Planetizen's Nate Berg reports on the latest trend in waste management: 'living machines' that treat human sewage in-house using plants.

June 5, 2009 - Wired

President Obama's Aiming for U.S.-China Deal

The Obama administration is making a U.S.-China deal on climate change a centerpiece, according to The Guardian (UK).

June 5, 2009 - THE DIRT

Suburbs 2.0

A review of Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Solutions for Redesigning Suburbs by Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson, from Residential Architect Online.

June 4, 2009 - Residential Architect Online

Americans Love Their Cars, But Are They Willing to Share?

Car industry analysts try to assess the future of the market - will Zipcar and public transit change car ownership forever?

June 4, 2009 - The New York Times

Highway Trust Fund - Near Broke, Again

Back in September, we reported that the trust fund had to receive an $8 billion bailout. Reuters reports that a second bailout is required to prevent the fund from going broke by August. Sen. Boxer indicates she supports indexing the gas tax.

June 4, 2009 - Reuters

Congestion Pricing And Equity

Is congestion pricing unfair to poor people? Rand has released an Environmental Defense Fund-sponsored report, "Equity and Congestion Pricing" that attempts to answer this question and report on other equity-related aspects of congestion pricing.

June 3, 2009 - Environmental Defense Fund - Press Release

Increase Funding or Raise Taxes?

Transit advocates may be louder than highway backers for the first time in discussions about the next authorization bill, but highway supporters warn less highway funding means less gasoline taxes.

June 3, 2009 - Congressional Quarterly Today

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.

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