Government / Politics
New Jersey's 23-Cent Gas Tax Increase Clears Legislature
The historic gas hike agreement was unexpectedly rejected in its first attempt to pass the legislature. It was approved on Oct. 7 because only a majority vote was needed. Republican Gov. Chris Chris is expected to sign the legislation.
New Jersey Town's Digital Billboard Ban Found Unconstitutional
Overruling an earlier appeals court decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court has found one township's prohibition on digital billboards to be unconstitutional.
The Landlord vs. the Fair Housing Lawyer: Race and Planning in the 2016 Election
The 2016 election presents a contest between two campaigns with fundamentally different views of fair housing in the United States—at a time when fair housing is a growing challenge with deep ramifications for the nation.
Egypt's New Capital City Development Gets Chinese Backing
Plans for the development of a new, unnamed capital city just east of Cairo has received the financial backing of Chinese investors.
In Chicago, Suburbs Becoming More Liberal
Chicago suburban residents were long more conservative than the average Illinois voter but, over the last two decades, that has changed.
Global Leaders Agree to Reduce and Offset Carbon Emissions from Plane Travel
The day after the number of signatories to the Paris Climate Accord met its threshold for implementation, the international community agreed to tackle growing emissions from aviation, which was not covered by the Paris agreement.
Paris Climate Accord Will Take Effect November 4
October 5 was an historic day, hailed President Obama, as nations responsible for emitting more than 55 percent of world carbon emissions have now signed the Paris climate agreement, the threshold needed for the accord to take effect in 30 days.
Proposed Federal Rule Could Consolidate 140 Metropolitan Planning Organizations
The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration are considering reforms that would enact a sweeping reform of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs).
U.S. DOT Adopts Vision Zero
"With this campaign, we’re making clear that zero is the only acceptable number of deaths on our roads."
The Carbon Neutral Controversy Surrounding Biomass
A controversial biomass amendment added to the Senate's energy bill would make the burning of wood for energy purposes a renewable source of energy. While the proposal has broad, bipartisan Congressional support, many groups oppose it.
Bill Introduced to Relieve Congestion—on Sidewalks
New York City has come a long way since the Giuliani days, when sidewalk barriers were placed at intersections to facilitate turning vehicles, thus prohibiting pedestrians from crossing the street.
Bridgegate Implications for New Jersey and Beyond
In The New York Times Sunday Review, Matt Katz, a political reporter for WNYC and New Jersey Public Radio, gives an update on the federal trial for 'Bridgegate' and also paints a bleak picture for New Jersey, and maybe the United States.
Landmark Agreement Reached to Increase New Jersey Gas Tax by 23 Cents
A day after a fatal NJ Transit train crash at the Hoboken Terminal, Republican Gov. Chris Christie and Democratic leaders of the legislature announced the agreement to raise the tax by 159 percent; the first increase to the *14.5-cent tax since 1990.
Los Angeles Leader Steps Up On Homelessness Crisis
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, a veteran leader at the city, county, and state-level, addresses the funding gaps to address this urgent issue and shares some innovative models being deployed by the county.
Hawaii to Embark on Nation's Largest Mileage Fee Demonstration Program
Unlike the more limited Oregon and California road usage charge programs currently in operation, Hawaii's program envisions over one million motorists participating in the demonstration program.
Planning for a Microgrid: Santa Monica Reclaims Industrial Space for Renewable Energy
Cities throughout California, including Santa Monica, have been awarded research and development funding through the California Energy Commission to plan community-scale microgrid solutions.
How Far Can You Take Complete Streets?
8th Avenue was one of New York’s first "complete streets." Coined in 2003, the term refers to including cars, pedestrians, bikers, and public transit into city thoroughfares instead of prioritizing cars. Today, the trend is growing to other cities.
Planetizen Week in Review: September 30, 2016
Welcome, President Obama, to the NIMBY wars.
Chapel Hill Launches Open Data Platform: Now What?
Now that Chapel Hill has joined the ranks of cities around the country in launching on online platform to share its data, it's up to citizens to make the most of the opportunity.
Critiquing the $1.9 Billion Project to Widen I-5 in Los Angeles County
Streetsblog slams Caltrans for wasting $1.9 billion on futile freeway widening projects.
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
