United States
Taking Action for 'More and Better Options'
Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) is doing more than responding to Gov. Glendening's recent op-ed on Planetizen calling for more and better options -- he's also introducing legislation to do just that.
The Interactive Playground
Architect David Rockwell has some new ideas about what makes a good public playground. With movable, buildable foam blocks, his experimental playground in Brooklyn gets kids actively and creatively involved in their play.
A Scandal At The Nation's Largest Community Organizing Group?
The New York Times reported last week that the country's largest and most successful progressive community organizing group covered up a $1 million embezzlement. Peter Dreier and John Atlas put the controversy in the larger context.
Feds Plan 'Energy Corridors' Through National Parks
The Department of Energy is proposing to construct massive "energy corridors", land designated solely for the purpose of energy conduction like oil, hydrogen and electricity.
The American Lawn, and its Opponents
The New Yorker traces the history of the American lawn from 1841, commenting on their unnatural origins, and finally analyzing the alternatives suggested by anti-lawn movements.
The Best Places to Live in America
CNN Money has released its ranking of the best places to live.
An SUV Owner Reconsiders
Judith Warner reflects back on what made her purchase a Land Rover in the first place ('beating back middle age') and her ideas for what to do with it now that she can't afford to drive it ('in-law apartment').
Cities: The Missing Presidential Campaign Issue
There is a glaring lack of attention in the presidential primaries to urban policy, says Randall Crane.
Amid High Food Prices, USDA Considers Un-Conserving Land
The USDA is considering a plan to put conservation land back into agricultural production -- a move farmers are trumpeting, but environmentalists are opposing.
Fannie, Freddie Falter
With their share prices dropping and prospects for fresh capitalization remote, there are growing concerns that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may be heading for failure, and with it grave repercussions for the entire U.S. economy.
Big Business and Small Cities Team Up for Bike Sharing
Residents of small and mid-sized cities in the US and Canada are getting an introduction to bike-sharing thanks to large local companies.
Local Governments 'Heroes' of the Climate Crisis
If buildings are responsible for almost half of the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, then our energy and building codes are incredibly important tools attaining energy and climate sanity.
Infrastructure: Has America 'Had its Day'?
For the New Statesman's Andrew Stephen, last month's power failure in Washington D.C. exemplified the deterioration of America's infrastructure, which he likens to conditions he found in the dying days of the Soviet Union.
Lost In Leisureville
The number of retirement communities is growing rapidly. Author Andrew D. Blechman warns about the social cost of age-segregation.
The Metropolitanization of America
In this column from Governing, Peter Harkness looks at the increasing influence and power of metropolitan areas.
Oil Market Accomplishes What CAFE Regulations Intended
Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer notes high gas prices are doing what Congress has taken decades to do – make the vehicle fleet more fuel efficient. He sees Congress repeating the mistake now with cap and trade - instead of gas taxes.
America is Growing
The Guardian U.K. observes that the end of cheap oil is changing driving habits, boosting public transit use and encouraging localization. In short, they are making America a bigger place.
Density Creates Democrats
The Boston Globe says that when suburbs become denser, 'Democrats promising mass transit become more appealing than Republicans promising to protect gun ownership.'
Great Lakes States Approve Water Deal
The eight states bordering on the five Great Lakes are about to come to an agreement about how the lakes' precious water is used and who can use it.
Lost in (Storage) Space
Americans have been storing a staggering amount of personal belongings in self-storage units. But along with the foreclosure crisis, storage companies are now seeing people foreclose on their lockers.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
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
