Government / Politics
How Will the Government Manage China's Great Urban Leap?
Ian Johnson explores a pivotal moment in China's development, as the country seeks to migrate 250 million rural residents to cities in the next 12 years. Observers speculate on how a comprehensive urbanization plan will achieve this transition.
Celebrating the Federal Gas Tax
Tax attorney Kelly Phillips Erb pens a colorful narrative upon the 81st birthday of the federal gas tax, showing the interesting history of this now controversial tax. It began on June 6, 1932 to close general budget gaps, not build roads.
The Case for Hyperdensity
On Places, Vishaan Chakrabarti argues that the hyperdense city is more prosperous, equitable, ecological and delightful — and vital to America's strength as a nation.
Emergency Manager Delivers Hail Mary Plan to Save Detroit from Bankruptcy
In a presentation to creditors delivered yesterday, Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr outlined a last-ditch effort to save the city from bankruptcy. Many creditors would have to agree to receive less than 10 cents on the dollar.
Austerity Threatens Europe's Vaunted Social Policy
Europe's four years of austerity are taking a toll not just on residents who are suffering from an unraveling of the Continent's famous social welfare programs, but the political parties that created them as some seek solutions from fringe groups.
Gezi Park Project Suspended; Have the Protestors Won?
Following a lengthy late night meeting with demonstrators, Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to halt construction of a controversial redevelopment project pending the outcome of an ongoing court case and possible public referendum.
How to Make a Resilient City (budget)
Building intensity can do just about everything: make a city budget more resilient, conserve land, and encourage infill. And possibly make your morning omelet.
Sequester Cuts Menace New York's Most Vulnerable Residents
A looming $205 million budget shortfall due to sequester-related federal funding cuts have the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) preparing to make drastic cuts to staff and programs.
Does Proposed Merger Signal Planning's Surrender in Los Angeles?
Rick Cole, former City Manager for the City of Ventura CA, analyzes the upcoming merger of the Department of City Planning with the Department of Building and Safety in the City of Los Angeles.
As Feds Drag Their Feet on New Regulations, Environmentalists Fume
Worries about the economic impacts of new regulations, high-level vacancies and election-year politics have raised the review time for new rules being considered by the Obama administration to a 20-year high. Many in his own party are not pleased.
Suburban Poor? Are You Sure?
Brookings Institute's “Confronting Suburban Poverty” is generating a lot of buzz. Community development leaders and planners took to Rooflines to voice opinions and critiques of the book, moving its authors to submit a response that you must read.
The Obama Transportation Funding Tease
Expect a major announcement from President Obama later this year about transportation funding, stated outgoing DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, without elaborating other than saying it would be "big and bold". LaHood had been asked about VMT fees.
Reborn San Diego Planning Department Gets New Director
Mayor Bob Filner's promise to revive San Diego's shuttered planning department became a reality with the announcement of Bill Fulton as its new director. The former mayor and author of the 'definitive guide to California planning' starts on July 8.
Four Options to Keep the Highway Trust Fund Solvent
MAP-21 expires on September 30, 2014. The following year, the Highway Trust Fund will be insolvent according to the CBO. Alternatives involve user fees paid by motorists: the gas tax and VMT fee, and two others that bear no connection to driving.
Social Impact Bonds Spread in the U.S. With Help of Harvard Lab
Harvard's SIB Lab has announced the winners of a competition to receive technical assistance with developing social impact bond programs; an idea that has 'traveled from concept to execution faster than any other social innovation in recent history.'
Gas Tax Woes: A Tale of Two New England States
As states struggle with ways to increase transportation revenue to shore-up aging infrastructure, we look at Conn. and N.H. Due to indexing, one will increase its gas tax by 4-cents on July 1, while the other rejected a 12-cent increase over 3 years.
Federal Funds Intended to Help Homeowners Will Instead Fund Demolitions
Federal money earmarked to help prevent foreclosures and assist underwater homeowners will instead be used to fund housing demolitions in a $100 million pilot project in five Michigan cities.
Maryland County Seeks to Spur TODs by Fast-Tracking Approvals
Prince George's County will streamline the review process for developers who build around public transit stations, writes Miranda S. Spivack. The bill could speed up the approvals process by as much as a year.
Brookings' Bruce Katz: U.S. 21st Century Economy Powered by Exports, Energy & Innovation
Bruce Katz, president and founding director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution, explains how the economies of America's largest metropolitan areas are driving the country's future prosperity.
Smart growth and city budgets: what matters most?
Where you build is important. But when it comes to city budgets, how much you build matters more.
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
