United States
Report Calls Subprime Lending Ruthless, Racist
A new report from United for a Fair Economy (UFE) accuses subprime lenders of deliberately and aggressively targeting poor and minority households.
Aging Boomers to Cause 'Epic Transition' in Housing Market
A new report in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Planning Association examines how home-owning and aging baby boomers will drastically affect the housing market.
African American Homeownership Rates 'Falling Like a Rock'
Having been particularly targeted by subprime mortgage lenders, neighborhoods with a majority of African American households are bearing the brunt of the housing crisis.
National Transporation Commission Calls For 40 Cent Gas Tax Increase
The long-awaited report by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission has finally been released and it's sure to create a stir as it calls for annual increases in the gas tax of 5 to 8 cents for 5 years, and then some.
Nation's Aging Infrastructure 'No Longer Acceptable'
In its new report released to Congress, the National Surface Transportation and Revenue Study Commission advocates hundreds of billions in annual infrastructure expenditures, and a significant hike in the gas tax.
Architects Redefining The Civic Building
Architype Review profiles 8 Civic Buildings in the words and images of their design teams.
First Baltimore, Now Cleveland: Banks Facing More Subprime Lawsuits
With thousands of its homes abandoned and public works projects permanently postponed for lack of revenue, Cleveland is filing suit against 21 of the nation's largest banks for their role in the subprime mortgage fiasco.
Strong Housing Policy Would Have Benefits Beyond Housing
The U.S. needs a strong national housing policy -- not just to house the needy, but to save money and improve lives in a wide variety of ways, according to this op-ed.
Mayors' Climate Change Vows Result In Little Action
Despite the signatures of hundreds of U.S. Mayors, the Climate Protection Agreement that says cities will take the lead on addressing climate change has resulted in little action, according to this article.
New President Could Slow Population Growth
This op-ed form The Christian Science Monitor argues that a new president would most likely enact policies to encourage family planning throughout the country and across the globe.
Car Versus Bike: Point-Counterpoint
Part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell debate where fault should be placed in the often-unpleasant conflicts between driver and biker.
Political Climate Change?
Sierra Magazine asks Matt Stoller, Michael Bocian, David Orr and Newt Gingrich to square off on how climate change will figure in the 2008 Presidential election.
Planners Need To Work With Difference
There are many voices in the process of community planning. To create effective plans, planners need to welcome these many voices and their respective differences, not suppress them into consensus.
Funding Bike Infrastructure: Point-Counterpoint
Part of a week-long series, Randal O'Toole and blogger Will Campbell debate federal funding for bike infrastructure and question whether a broad bike system should be built before or after the demand presents itself.
Friday Funny: The 'Transcontinental Straw' and Other Urban Water Supply Strategies
The satirical newspaper The Onion lists some dubious water conservation strategies being contemplated in American cities.
The Era of the 'Ghost Mall'
A slowing economy will lead to the era of the 'ghost mall', according to this article from Slate.
When Pieces of National Parks Go on Sale, U.S. Can't Pay
Funding shortages are leaving officials at the national parks with little or no power to acquire new lands, enabling private interests to buy up sensitive lands before they can be protected federally.
Reserach Shows Misconceptions About Trees and Street Safety
Engineers have cited safety concerns in advising against tree planting along streets, but recent research shows that the rare tree-lined street may be less dangerous than the much more common street lined with parked cars.
Making Congestion Pricing Politically Feasible
In this article from Access, authors David King, Michael Manville and Donald Shoup suggest that distributing the revenue created by road tolling and congestion pricing will make the controversial idea more politically viable.
The Revolution Will Not be Internally Combusted
By staking claim to public space, Critical Mass rides are a powerful means of supporting First Amendment rights to free speech and free assembly, according to this piece from Yes! Magazine.
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.
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