Government / Politics
Initiative to Split California into Three States Qualifies for November Ballot
Should the "California Three States Initiative " pass on Election Day, the Golden State will be a step closer to splitting into three states: California, Northern California, and Southern California.
Cobb County, Georgia Preparing a Transit Wish List
Cobb County has been enabled by the state to raise taxes to fund transit expansions. Early planning efforts are expected to face political headwinds in a region known for opposing both taxes and transit.
The 'Head Tax' Failed in Seattle; Cities Still Want the Tax to Support Housing, Transit
If your city was home to some of the wealthiest, largest companies in the country, would you tax them to raise money for more housing and transit service?
Means-Based, Transit-Fare Discounts Take a Leap Forward in the Big Apple
The 2019 New York City budget includes $106 million to subsidize half the transit fare for qualified residents for six months. The city joins the ranks of Seattle, Toronto, and the Bay Area that offer income-based discounts for transit fares.
Looking Back to Find the Future of San Diego
An advocacy group is republishing the 1974 regional plan for sustainability, and finding that it's just as relevant now as it was then.
Carson: HUD No Longer Raising Rents for Subsidized Households
Blame it on the federal budget, says Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Carson.
TIGER Grants Are Back, But They're Called BUILD Grants Now
Promises (or fears) of the end of TIGER grant funding have proven unfounded thus far into the Trump Administration. Here's what's new with the U.S. Department of Transportation grant program formerly known as TIGER.
California and Auto Industry Agree on Vehicle Emissions Standards
Normally having the California Air Resources Board and the auto industry in agreement on emissions standards would be enough, but the Trump administration wants to ensure that California plays no role in setting standards.
Study: There's a Lot of Vacant Land in Texas Cities
All that empty acreage means that these big, rapidly developing cities don’t really have to sprawl.
Two States to Decide on Gas Tax Measures on Election Day
California voters will likely decide on whether to repeal a 12-cents gas tax increase while Missouri voters will decide whether to increase the state's 17-cents per gallon gas tax, fourth lowest in the nation, by 10-cents per gallon over four years.
In New Jersey, Beach Parking Located Right on the Sand
This summer, the seashore town of Wildwood is charging a fee for people with the right cars to park in a very convenient location.
Phoenix Joins Growing List of Cities Suing Over Citizenship Question
Phoenix sues Trump over change to census questionnaire which some believe could cost the city $350 million in federal funding.
Urban Utopias Under African Skies
An exhibit by Congolese artist Bodys Isek Kingelez at the Museum of Modern Art invokes urban idealism at the same time that it serves as a foil for poverty and deprivation in the megacities of the developing world.
Winners and Losers of the California Primary
With national media focused on individual candidates, propositions that dealt with park and water bonds, transportation spending, cap-and-trade, and rainwater may have been overlooked. Plus, a measure to increase bridge tolls in the Bay Area.
Buying Flood-Prone Houses an Expensive Proposition in Texas
Harris County has a home buyout program, designed to reduce the amount of residents living in flood-prone homes. But when it comes to home buyouts, a lot of money goes a little way.
Report Offers Guidance on 'Smart City' Investments
"The challenge of paying for smart cities projects" report by Deloitte recommends several steps for making the most of investments in "smart city" technology by city governments.
China Will Drive Electric Vehicle Market
Two new reports on the outlook of electric vehicles paint a bright future for the new technology. No country is more critical than China, where policies will force global auto companies to invest in clean technology if they want to have a future.
Keeping Old Coal Plants Operating Just Became a Matter of National Security
The president hopes to revitalize the nation's sagging coal industry by forcing utilities to purchase power from aging coal and nuclear power plants in the name of national defense. The news is already paying dividends for coal companies.
California to Invest $1 Billion in Electric Trucks, Buses, Charging Infrastructure
The investment comes not from the state legislature but from two regulatory bodies, the Air Resources Board and the Public Utilities Commission, authorizing the expenditure of VW settlement funds and utility ratepayer funds, respectively.
20 Finalists Announced in the 'Canada Smart Cities Challenge'
The winner of the Grand Prize for the Canada Smart Cities Challenge will receive $50 million CAD ($38.5 million USD).
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
