Government / Politics

A Proposed Legislative Solution to California's Out-Migration Epidemic
The Sacramento Bee follows-up a revealing report on lower income workers leaving California due largely to exorbitant housing costs with an editorial endorsing legislation by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco to address the source of the problem.

EPA Administrator Transitions from Climate Change Skeptic to Denier
Perhaps there never really was much difference between 'skepticism' and 'denial'. Scott Pruitt certainly proved that on Thursday when he answered CNBC's Joe Kernen's question if carbon emissions are the primary cause of climate change.

Is Eugene, Oregon's Downtown Dog Ban, a Stealth Ban on Homeless?
The Eugene City Council enacted a 'trial dog ban' in downtown to protect public safety after complaints of aggressive dogs.

Making It Easier to Build Won't Help
Here are some observations that may shed light on the mystery of why—despite creating every incentive that planners can conceive—we are failing to produce affordable housing at the level we need.

Los Angeles' Iconic Angels Flight Railway To Utilize P3 Model
After appearing in the film La La Land, the world-renowned, iconic, 116-year-old Angels Flight will reopen to the public after a three-year modernization process.

Trump Administration's Draft Budget Raises New Concerns About Data Collection
President Trump has made no secret of his disdain for many of the traditional data points used to represent the health and prosperity of the country. The budgetary process offers an opportunity to match words with action.

Electric Vehicle Fees: Where's the Controversy?
Some may find it silly to get worked up over an annual fee of about $100 to pay for road maintenance when electric vehicle purchasers receive a $7,500 federal tax credit, on top of generous state perks, but electric vehicle supporters object to them.

Incentives and Non-Traditional Strategies Solving Common City Problems
Small reminders and suggestions can add up to big changes for cities that "nudge" citizens.

Rust Belt Cities Shouldn't Demolish Their Way to the Future
In a piece for CityLab, Richey Pipparinen argues that trigger-happy city officials need to slow down their push to demolish homes.

Uncertain Future for Electric Vehicles if Fuel Efficiency Standards Relaxed
The U.S. EPA has signaled that it will withdraw an earlier decision to maintain the 54.5 miles per gallon target. Should that happen, a major casualty will be electric vehicles, according to one prominent EV advocate interviewed on NPR.

U.S. Conference of Mayors Lobbies for Federal Infrastructure Funding
The devil is in the details, as they say. That will be especially true as Congress and the Trump Administration decide how to allocate infrastructure spending around the county.

Legal Loophole Will Allow Rollback of Fuel Efficiency Standards
On Tuesday, the Trump administration anticipates unraveling two signature Obama environmental regulations: fuel efficiency standards for model year 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles and beginning the undoing of the Clean Power Plan.

Los Angeles Planning Reforms Respond to Measure S
Councilmember José Huizar weighs the city's new rules against those proposed by the upcoming ballot measure.

Rome's Urban Planning Chief Quits in Stadium Dispute
Paolo Berdini, Rome's councilor for urban planning, has resigned from his position after clashing with the city's mayor over a new soccer stadium for AS Roma.
EPA Administrator Withdraws Methane Emissions Requirement
No surprise here. Scott Pruitt agreed with nine state attorney generals, including his replacement in Oklahoma, to reverse a request enacted by his predecessor to require oil and gas drillers to record information on the release of methane emissions.

California Investing In 'Transformative Climate Communities'
The California Strategic Growth Council has $140 million in cap-and-trade revenue for the new Transformative Climate Community program. The aim of the program is to catalyze environmental and economic investment in disadvantaged communities.

The Environmental Regulation Overturned by the New Interior Secretary on Day One
A dramatic entrance on horseback preceded one of Ryan Zinke's first actions as Secretary of the Department of Interior—rescinding guidance issued by the Fish & Wildlife Service to phase out the use of toxic, lead ammunition on federal lands.

Miami Beach's Floating Billboards: A Nuisance on Water
The picturesque ocean front of Miami Beach is being sullied by digital billboards now floating off shore on boats, outside the reach of the city's authority.

President Trump's $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Just Became More Costly
While he has yet to explain how he would pay for the plan, the 'anti-regulation' president did add a costly and controversial requirement on Tuesday — a 'Buy America' provision that likely extends beyond the existing regulation.

U.S. Cities Brace to Lose Infrastructure Funding Over Immigration Policies
Politico explores some of the projects that could be scrapped as a result of being located in sanctuary cities.
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