United States
A Glimpse at Incoming Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
This brief profile in Time offers a look at newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in his own words and in the words of others.
Obama Plan: Stimulating The Economy Or Sprawl?
Obama has compared the size of the stimulus package he wants to the 1956 National Highway Act. If the states have their way, it may be just that -- a new highway bill with little left for transit.
One-Third of Americans Breathing Too Much Soot
People in 46 American metropolitan areas breathe air that exceeds federal soot levels, according to new figures from the Environmental Protection Agency. Nearly one-third of all Americans live in affected areas.
Federal Funding Seems Likely for California High Speed Rail
California transportation officials are confident that federal support will back up $10 billion in recently approved bond sales to fund the state's proposed high speed rail system.
Funding Sources Need Revision to Enable Obama's Highway Plans
President-elect Barack Obama's plans to update the nation's highway system will be limited by funding. Congressional transportation officials are calling for an update of the gas tax, among other changes.
The End of America?
A Russian analyst is predicting the 2010 dissolution of the United States into at least six republics, each under the influence of foreign nations.
LaHood a 'Spending Superstar'
The Wall St. Journal calls new transportation secretary Ray LaHood the "secretary of earmarks", and one of the biggest spenders in Congress.
Housing Starts Plummet
The latest figures show a dramatic drop in housing starts across the United States -- a sign, according to Dean Baker, that builders are having trouble securing credit.
Nearly the End of the Line for S.U.V.’s
The last S.U.V.s rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' plants in Janesville, Wisconsin and Moraine, Ohio, victims of both the economic crisis and the plummeting market for gas guzzlers.
Streetcar Suburbs Without Streetcars?
Matthew Ridgeway wonders if the infrastructure benefits of new streetcar projects- facade improvement, streetscaping, community investment- could happen with direct investment, leaving streetcars out of the picture.
Pain at the Pump, Suburban Blues and the Resurgence of Compact Growth
A paradigm shift is occurring in the development patterns of American cities -- even the inner cities that have struggled for decades with decay and abandonment, writes Kofi Sefa-Boakye of the Compton Community Redevelopment Agency.
Census Reveals Recession’s Effect On Migration
The U.S. Census Bureau released its report for the year ending July 1, 2008. It showed that the effect of the recession was to reduce domestic migration from the Northeast and Midwest to the West and Sunbelt. Utah was the fastest growing state.
Plunging Oil Prices May Do More Harm Than Good
The Financial Times analyzes the effects of the falling price of oil on energy markets and concludes that the short term economic gain for oil consumers will come back to bite them as investments in alternative fuels will cease as will conservation.
Power Plowers
How well mayors and city officials deal with snowstorms is one of the best indicators of how well they can serve their cities, according to this article from Governing.
An Economy of Immigrants
Next American City reports on a recent conference that emphasized the role of immigrants in fueling economic growth.
Friday Funny: Living with Parents as a Housing Strategy
The Onion reports on an "area man" whose decision to live in his parents' basement looks like a wise move.
Parks May Allow Bikes on Trails
The Interior Department is proposing a rule change for National Parks that would open thousands of miles of park trails to mountain bikes. Conflicts between bikers and hikers are expected.
Smart Growth Success Stories of 2008
Kaid Benfield, Director of the Smart Growth Program at the NRDC, picks some if his favorite success stories of smart growth transformation, from Atlanta's Beltline to Berlin's Hackesche Hofe.
Reasons to Smile in 2008
Neal Peirce reflects on the happier moments of 2008 -- and a future that seems bent on creating better places and communities.
Chu-Obama Conflict On Gas Taxes?
Nobel laureate and Energy Secretary designee Steven Chu is apparently at odds with the president-elect's position on fuel prices in terms of the price signal it sends to motorists and home-buyers.
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
