Government / Politics

Del Mar Station TOD

A Potential Downside to $120 Billion in Transportation Investments in Los Angeles

The editorial board of the Los Angeles Times warns that along with new transit lines comes new housing for residents who want to enjoy the benefits of reduced auto-dependence. Plans need to ensure minimal housing displacement around the new stations.

November 16, 2016 - Los Angeles Times

Urban Solar Power

How Cities Will Lead the Energy Future

Last month, politicians, energy executives, and energy experts met in Istanbul for the 23rd World Energy Congress. The event gives global leaders a chance to coordinate energy policy, discuss new ideas, and seek solutions to climate change

November 16, 2016 - Doggerel

Not My President

Trump Election Coverage Round Up (Planning Edition)

A compendium of the most discussed examples of news and commentary regarding the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States—but only what's directly relevant to the fields of planning and urban design.

November 15, 2016 - Planetizen

Welcome

Truly Responsive and Inclusive Planning

Current planning practices can alienate some voters, which contributed to Donald Trump’s success in the recent US election. How have planners contributed to this problem, and how can we achieve more responsive and inclusive planning?

November 15, 2016 - Todd Litman

Indiana State Capital

Indianapolis Voters Overwhelmingly Pass Income Tax for Transit

Marion County may soon have the nation's most progressive tax dedicated to public transit, and only bus transit at that. In addition to the faith and business communities that backed the measure, Gov. (now V.P.-elect) Mike Pence deserves credit.

November 13, 2016 - Indianapolis Business Journal

Capitol Hill

AIA Statement: Architects Will Work With President Trump on Infrastructure

The executive director of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) released a statement saying the profession is willing to participate in the president elect's ambitious infrastructure plan.

November 12, 2016 - Dezeen

The $40 Million, Voter-Approved Park Bond That Never Happened

Voters in Cobb County, Georgia, overwhelmingly prioritized parks and green space back in 2008. Cobb County commissioners', however, are still acting to quell those intentions.

November 11, 2016 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Homeless Encampment

San Francisco Voters Express Frustration with Tent Living

Voters appear to have passed the most contentious ballot measure in San Francisco, Proposition Q, that allows city workers to remove tent encampments if shelter is available. Voters in other Bay Area counties passed taxes for affordable housing.

November 11, 2016 - San Francisco Chronicle

MAX Orange Line - Portland, Oregon

Votes Seem to Favor Expansion of Portland-Metro Light Rail System

Votes are still being counted, but an expansion of the MAX light rail system to the suburban community of Tigard appears to be squeaking out a victory.

November 10, 2016 - OPB

Methane

How Environment and Energy Ballot Measures Fared in Tuesday's Election

More than the president was decided. Results are in on a Washington carbon tax, a California plastic bag ban, a Sunshine State restriction on solar panels, and on a ban on oil drilling in a California county that actually has oil drilling.

November 10, 2016 - Planetizen

Donald Trump

Election Roundup: Planning's Big Day at the Ballot Box

Beyond the headline-grabbing presidential election, many states and localities voted on issues critical to the planning profession.

November 9, 2016 - James Brasuell

More Towns Mimicking New Orleans and Allowing Public Drinking

It used to be that only New Orleans and Las Vegas allowed people to carry a drink outdoors and imbibe in public. Now cities all over the country, mostly in traditionally conservative states, are loosening their laws.

November 9, 2016 - Stateline

Denver A Line

Problems on Denver's New Commuter Rail Lines Threaten Shutdown by Federal Regulators

The problems caused by crossing gates for the new A and B Lines are so serious that the Federal Railroad Administration had threatened to close both lines on Nov. 5. They granted the Regional Transit District a 90-day waiver.

November 9, 2016 - Regional Transportation District

United States

Poverty in the United States Explained

The Brookings Institution has provided a data-driven examination of the subject of poverty in the United States, to provide the kind of policy nuance and detail missing from the 2016 presidential campaign.

November 8, 2016 - Brookings Institution

Barcelona

Barcelona Tackles its Traffic, Pollution With Parking Policies and Superblocks

We talked to Barcelona's mobility guru, Mercedes Vidal, about how the high pollution levels that are pushing the city to rethink heavy traffic flows, provide faster more efficient public transport and hike up parking fees.

November 8, 2016 - Cities of the Future

SEPTA Token

An Early Win for Clinton on the Penultimate Day of Election

With Pennsylvania a battleground state and Philadelphia a Democratic stronghold, ensuring that transit-dependent voters get to the polls was a given, but a transit strike beginning Nov. 1 threatened to derail access. The strike was settled Monday.

November 8, 2016 - USA Today

Good for the Planet—and the Real Estate Industry?

Climate change is the new reality, and building owners and developers that want to remain in business need to adapt. So says a recent Urban Land Institute (ULI) report that calls last year's Paris agreement "a potential game changer."

November 7, 2016 - Doggerel

Celebration Florida

Another Reason to Watch Florida on Election Day

While Florida may well determine who becomes the next president, renewable energy advocates are worried about a measure on the ballot that will have far-reaching effects on solar power should it pass.

November 7, 2016 - Grist

Old Timey Ticky Tacky

Tuesday's Election May Hinge on the Changing Demographics of Suburbs

Today's suburbs have changed dramatically from a generation ago. Younger, more diverse, and more liberal, they are "trending more Democratic." The PBS News Hour explores this critical demographic shift five days before Election Day.

November 7, 2016 - PBS NewsHour

One of the Most Important Energy Measure on the Ballot on Tuesday

While billed as an "anti-fracking initiative," Measure Z in Monterey County, the 4th-largest oil-producing county in California, does far more. It bans new oil drilling and requires the cleaning of wastewater from current drilling operations.

November 6, 2016 - KSBW

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.