Government / Politics

U.S. Economic Growth Shows Urban-Rural Divide
The economy is improving in places like Texas, but a closer look indicates that cities are taking off while rural areas are lagging behind.

Toronto Could Give Buses and Streetcars Priority
In a shift away from subway expansions and upgrades, Toronto looks to improve the bus and streetcar systems.

More EV Charging Coming to San Francisco Private and Public Parking Facilities
To reach an ambitious net-zero target for transportation emissions in San Francisco, Mayor Breed and two supervisors introduced legislation to require large parking facilities provide electric vehicle charging for 10% of spaces.

Uncertain Future of Portland’s Neighborhood Associations Causing Controversy
A proposal to dissolve the groups has led to a debate about their purpose and who really benefits from them.

French 'EcoTax' Targets Air Travel to Benefit Rail Network
The Minister for Transport called it "part of the answer to climate change" – charging air travelers a modest fee for international trips that originate in France and investing the revenue in greener alternatives such as rail transport.

Congress Calls Out the Trump Administration for Transit Funding Delays
The chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure used the word "unlawful," when describing the tardy delivery of allocated capital investment funding by the Federal Transit Administration under the Trump administration.

Moving People Out of Flood Zones Is a Win-Win Strategy
As the threat of flooding increases, buyout programs to relocate homeowners are a better alternative to rebuilding—for cities and residents.

The 'Vanlord' Providing Shelter to L.A.'s Homeless
A creative rental industry has emerged in Los Angeles as the affordable housing crisis grows.

Uber Says Denver Transit Riders Are Buying Tickets Through Its App
Denver travelers can now access transit schedules and purchase tickets through the Uber app. Uber says increased ticket sales show that integrating rideshare and transit makes sense.

Federal Lawmakers Target Electric Vehicles in Transportation Reauthorization
How will motorists who don't pay gas taxes fund road upkeep? That's one of the questions that the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee hopes to answer this summer as they work to reauthorize the FAST Act before it expires on Sept. 30, 2020.

Helping City Workers Live in the City
Local municipalities are offering housing incentives to draw employees and help them live closer to their jobs.

SUVs Kill Pedestrians—and They Have for a Long Time
While much focus is on the future of autonomous vehicles, the increase in pedestrian deaths related to SUVs remains a largely ignored issue.

No Quick Fixes for L.A.’s Transit Ridership Woes
One of the largest transit systems in the country continues to lose large numbers of riders. But the causes behind the drop and the solutions to stop it are hard to pinpoint.

Private Branding of the Public City
Oracle Park, the Blue Shield of California Theater, Ford GoBike—branding abounds in San Francisco.

In California, Struggles Over Insurance Regulation in the Era of Climate Change
Setting insurance rates by looking to the past to predict the future doesn’t make sense with increasing environmental uncertainties, argues the California insurance industry.

Culling Transit Stops to Improve System Performance
Bus stop balancing can help lines run much more smoothly. A new publication guides agencies through the process.

Kamala Harris and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Release Fair Housing Legislation
The two leading figures of the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C. released the "Fair Chance at Housing Act."

Will Appeal of Landmark Appeals Court Ruling Allow for Clearing of Tent Cities?
If the Supreme Court hears an appeal of a landmark U.S. Ninth Circuit Court case settled in April, the ruling would have widespread implications for dealing with homeless encampments throughout the West, perhaps nowhere more so than Los Angeles.

Op-Ed: Zoning Shouldn't Discriminate Based on the Definition of 'Family'
By designating that "family" refer to a specific set of ties, many zoning codes make it difficult for "functional" families without those ties to find a place to live.

The Underappreciated Role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in Access to Affordable Housing
A housing researcher formerly with the Obama administration's Treasury Department explains the role of government-sponsored enterprises in opening the housing market with more affordable options.
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.
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