Government / Politics
Trump Administration Rolls Back Clean Water Protections
Environmentalists worry that the latest action by the Trump administration on the environment will set a dangerous precedent that is difficult to overturn with a more conservative Supreme Court.
Statewide Rent Control, Eviction Protections Adopted in California
It's been a historic year for rent control on the West Coast, as California joins Oregon as the first states to approve statewide rent control laws.
Florida House Trying to Prevent Voter-Approved Transportation Tax
The legal challenges to a one-cent sales tax approved by Hillsborough County voters in 2018 continue.
California Cities That Plan Housing Might Now Have to Build it
If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 as expected, downzonings, density reductions, housing construction moratoriums, and housing caps will become illegal.
Court Ruling: Eminent Domain Valuation Must Consider Potential Rezoning
Details provided regarding the Virginia Supreme Court ruling in Helmick Family Farm, LLC v. Commissioner of Highways.
The First Highway Trust Fund Bailout
September 9 marked the 60th anniversary of a defining moment in U.S. transportation history.
When the Federal Government Ties Homeless Funding to Unemployment Rates
A strong economy can lead to a lack of affordable housing and a lack of affordable housing can lead to higher rates of homelessness. But a stronger economy can also disqualify regions from federal support for homelessness.
Urban Congestion Pricing Might Finally Come to California
If Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation by San Francisco Assemblyman Phil Ting, motorists who want to drive the 'world's most crooked street,' a huge tourist draw, will be forced to participate in a pilot 'reservation and pricing program.'
Multi-Car Owners May Pay Sustainability Fee to Fund Memphis Area Transit
Called a 'sustainability fee' by Mayor Lee Harris of Shelby County, the proposed fee would apply only to households that have three or more registered vehicles, about 17 percent of county residents. The first two vehicles would be exempt.
Better Urban Planning for Better Public Health (In the Real World)
A researcher at the University of Sydney in Australia offers three recommendations for planners to better negotiate the real world of politics and governance to help create healthier communities.
New Research Ties Lack of Density to Lack of Affordability in California
New research using the Terner Center California Residential Land Use Survey also connects demographic trends to housing development opposition.
Unlocking the Market for Affordable Homeownership with Private Capital
Charles Loveman, executive director of Heritage Housing Partners, explains the historical role that subsidized demand played in spurring housing production and the value of low to moderate-income affordable homeownership development.
Counties Outside of Bay Area Eye Transportation Mega Measure in 2020
Northern San Joaquin Valley transit officials are eying a $100 billion Bay Area transportation measure to potentially fund a $1 billion rail tunnel for two commuter railroads to bring workers to the East Bay and Silicon Valley.
Town Hall Spotlights Democrats' Climate Change Proposals
Critics of the earliest Democratic candidate debates have noted a conspicuous lack of substantive and concentrated discussion on one of the great existential threats of the era: climate change. Neglect of the subject could change soon.
New York City's Transportation Future Hindered by a Dysfunctional Present
Too many innovative proposals to solve the city’s biggest transportation problems fall by the wayside.
The Dire Straits of the Working Homeless
Due to stagnant wages and the lack of affordable housing in many U.S. cities, even people with jobs are finding themselves slipping into homelessness.
Seattle Streetcar Project Facing Major Challenges
The city council approved funding for a new streetcar line, but cost increases mean the project is behind schedule and federal funds could be in jeopardy.
Big Oil Not Happy With Methane Regulation Rollback
The Trump administration's rollback on August 29 of an Obama-era regulation to reduce methane emissions in the production and distribution of oil and natural gas did not sit well with large oil and gas companies who see value in reducing emissions.
Governor, Regulators Standing Up to Dirty Energy Interests in North Carolina
Can a Democratic governor in a state controlled by a Republic legislature achieve meaningful emissions reductions from the state's energy utilities? North Carolina Governor Gary Cooper is trying.
The Problem with Pilot Programs
Pilot programs are a way to test out a policy or program to ensure it is the right solution before investing significant amounts of money. But they also pose a variety of challenges.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
