Government / Politics

Williamsburg Brooklyn

Zoning to Protect Manufacturing in N.Y.C.

Development in industrial areas is pushing out manufacturers, but new zoning regulations could help control the incursion.

March 27, 2019 - Next City

The Race to Become the First State to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers

Both Maryland and Hawaii are in a race to become the first state to ban polystyrene food containers and beverage cups. The Maryland bill passed the legislature March 12 and awaits a decision by Republican Gov. Hogan. Too early to tell on Hawaii.

March 26, 2019 - The Baltimore Sun

Rural Traffic

Replacing Diesel-Powered Trucks With Natural Gas, Hybrid, and Battery Power

The U.S. Department of Energy, in partnership with the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, awarded $18 million to nine companies and universities to advance natural gas technology for trucks.

March 26, 2019 - Climatewire

Hurricane Harvey Houston

Black Towns Face Threats From Flooding and Buyouts

Many of the historic towns would disappear if flood buyout programs force residents to relocate.

March 26, 2019 - Scalawag

California 241 Toll Road

Finger-Pointing Around Outreach Campaign for Southern California Toll Road

To sway public opinion, the Orange County toll road agency hired a group of consultants. Critics say the cost and service delivered aren’t acceptable.

March 26, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Commute

Opinion: Even the Green New Deal Repeats the Same Old Sprawling Mistakes

With infrastructure and housing prices in the national discussion more than ever before, the federal government still doesn't seem ready to really change its ways.

March 26, 2019 - Route Fifty

Atlanta Creek

Environmental Impact Bond to Fund Atlanta Watershed Projects

The bonds finance new green infrastructure projects that otherwise would be considered too risky.

March 24, 2019 - Next City

Recreational Vehicle

Bipartisan Support for Federal Diesel Emissions Reduction Bill

Established in 2005 to reduce toxic diesel emissions, the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act expired in 2016. A bipartisan effort appears to be in place to see it reauthorized this year.

March 23, 2019 - Transport Topics

Culvert

Washington State Needs Funding to Address Culvert Issue

Orcas and tribes depend on salmon, but culverts are blocking the fish from reaching breeding grounds. The state is struggling to come up with funding to remove and repair the infrastructure.

March 23, 2019 - Crosscut

Detroit Skyline

Jeep Plant Isn't Getting a Warm Reception From Detroit Residents

Fiat Chrysler’s plan for a new Jeep plant in Detroit is off to a rocky start.

March 23, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

San Diego Trolley

San Diego Unbundles Parking, Eliminates Parking Minimums and Sets Maximums

In addition to replacing parking minimums with parking maximums of one space per unit in transit corridors, the city council went a step further by requiring unbundling, that is, requiring separate payment for parking from the housing.

March 22, 2019 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Chicago Street

Report Identifies Priorities for Chicago's Mobility Future

A new mobility task force report looks to guide the city toward a more multimodal transportation system that addresses accessibility and congestion.

March 22, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Rain On Pavement

Detroit Drainage Fees Are Hitting Residents Hard

The city says the increased fees that many people are seeing reflect a more equitable billing system, but residents argue the charges are unfair.

March 22, 2019 - Bridge

California Freeway

Bill Would Phase-Out Most Diesel Emissions in California

The bill is directed at the medium and heavy-duty trucking industry, which, along with buses, account for 90 percent of the state's toxic diesel exhaust. Diesel emissions would need to be reduced by 80 percent by 2050. Will electric trucks be ready?

March 21, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Fracking

Michigan Gov. Whitmer Proposes 45-Cent Gas Tax Hike in First Budget

Gretchen Whitmer has outdone the new Democratic governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, who proposed a 20 cents tax hike. Like Walz's budget, gas tax revenue would replace some general funds directed to road spending, thus benefiting other state programs.

March 21, 2019 - Detroit Free Press

Rent

California Lawmakers Seek New Ways to Relieve High Rents

Legislators are trying to chip away at the law that restricts tenant protections around the state.

March 21, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Dallas Area Rapid Transt

Dallas DOT Brings New Mobility Vision to the Region

The agency’s director wants to change the city’s transportation priorities and provide more mobility options to residents.

March 20, 2019 - Next City

Tenants' Rights

More States Look to Expand Tenant Protections

Cities and states around the country are reconsidering decades-old bans on rent control.

March 20, 2019 - Governing

Trump Adminsitration

Scrutiny for HUD Secretary Ben Carson's Schedule

Housing and Urban Development Secretary ben Carson has outlasted most of the original Trump cabinet, but maybe it's because he follows his boss's example so well when it comes to scheduling his time.

March 20, 2019 - NBC News

New mexico Power

New Mexico Legislation Charts Path Away From Coal, But It Won't Be Easy

The Energy Transition Act passed the New Mexico state House on March 12 and heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the state's new Democratic governor who supports clean energy, but losing a coal plant early causes far-reaching economic impacts.

March 19, 2019 - Santa Fe New Mexican

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.