Government / Politics

In his fifth entry in a lengthy examination of the successes and failures of New Urbanism, Peter Katz looks at one of the movement's key blindspots: the failure to help improve the processes and practices of local governments.

May 30, 2013 - Better! Cities & Towns

The Boston Redevelopment Authority wields supreme power over the city's land use decisions, a position unique in American cities. Is it time to disband this relic of planning and development from a different era?

May 30, 2013 - Boston Magazine

The D.C. Council is going the way of neighbors Virginia and Maryland by approving new wholesale sales taxes on gasoline and diesel. In it's budget approved on May 22, the council swapped the current 23.5-cent excise tax for a new 8.3% fuel tax.

May 30, 2013 - The Washington Post - D.C. Politics

Places Journal talks with New York Design Commissioner David Burney about the politics of urban design and planning.

May 29, 2013 - Places Journal

While the New Hampshire bill made it through the House, it was blocked, as Republican leaders had predicted, in the Senate. The Iowa bill, sponsored and supported by Republicans, was never acted on. Iowa may try again next year; not possible in N.H.

May 29, 2013 - Bedford (N.H.) Patch

The epic, years-long battle for converting one Holland Tunnel tube to a bicycle/pedestrian-only facility may find compromise in this proposed free ticket voucher program for bicycle-toting ferry passengers.

May 29, 2013 - Ian Sacs

Cities and engaged citizens want to create better places; so why is it so difficult to get a project approved, built, and installed? Reforming the permitting process could unlock the creative powers of citizens and designers to improve their cities.

May 28, 2013 - Medium

Congress has an Animal Protection Caucus, a Hockey Caucus, and a Kidney Caucus, so it's about time the millions of Americans who rely on public transit for their daily transportation needs had a voice in D.C.

May 28, 2013 - The Hill's Transportation Blog

An app for locating discarded tires and a program to map the condition of the city's sidewalks are two examples of local initiatives aimed at improving Atlanta's environment. With the Mayor's embrace, the city is trying to catch up to tech trends.

May 27, 2013 - Creative Loafing Atlanta

With promises of creating a strong planning department, increasing bicycle mode share, and focusing development around transit, Bill Peduto won Pittsburgh's Democratic mayoral primary this past week. His win is being hailed by urbanists nationwide.

May 26, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

Changing demands justify policies and programs that encourage people too choose efficient travel options and smart growth locations. Are these coercive?

May 25, 2013 - Todd Litman

While much of the current discussion in planning centers on decreasing road capacity to promote greater pedestrian mobility, Eric Jaffe wonders if we are thinking enough about the critical and complex task of moving freight.

May 25, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

Less than 24 hours after a structural engineer deemed the building unsafe, Sohel Rana ordered garment workers back on the job.

May 25, 2013 - New York Times

According to the CBO, President Obama's transportation budget keeps the Highway Trust Fund, currently expected to run out of funds in 2015, solvent until 2021. The additional funds come from 'intergovernmental transfers' - but are they real?

May 24, 2013 - Streetsblog Capitol Hill

State departments of transportation aren't known for being the most progressive public agencies. But, in response to economic and demographic changes, Oregon's DOT (ODOT) is breaking the mold by embracing a multimodal transformation.

May 24, 2013 - Bike Portland

With arresting infographics, architect Seth Goodman aims to expose the absurd parking requirements that can be found in cities across America.

May 23, 2013 - DC.Streetsblog

All economics and no philosophy can make a planner a dull boy. In that sense, Carl Schramm’s recent article in Forbes magazine is absolutely right—but only to a degree. I’ll do my best to explain why.

May 23, 2013 - Norman Wright

Although a growing list of communities (of which Portland is the largest) have banned the addition of fluoride to tap water, such places are doing so against the recommendations of the medical establishment. What's driving the backlash?

May 23, 2013 - The Atlantic Cities

You might be surprised to learn that in the area famously known as 'Tornado Alley', underground shelters and safe rooms are relatively rare. Several reasons, from physical to financial to cultural constraints, conspire to leave residents vulnerable.

May 22, 2013 - The Atlantic

The new mayor of Los Angeles is young, charismatic, and a champion of urbanism and smart growth. He should start using all these assets immediately to transform Los Angeles into the vibrant, transit-oriented city it can become, says Bill Fulton.

May 22, 2013 - California Planning & Development Report