Government / Politics
Discrimination Dressed Up As Discriminating Taste
In this post from Reason, Tim Cavanaugh joins the debate over preservation holding back the city, and argues that land use regulations have a wholesale negative impact on the city.
Prepared for Disaster, But not to Respond
Japan is typically associated with strong disaster preparedness plans, but the devastation following the March tsunami highlights some of the nation's shortcomings in adapting and reacting, according to this piece from Citiwire.
More Transit than Roads Projects on Deck, But Transit Funding Lags
In Northwestern Indiana, transit projects will outnumber road projects for the firs time in history. Funding for roads, however, still outpaces transit projects.
Bill Proposes Privatization of Northeast Rail Corridor
House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica has proposed a bill to privatize Northeast Corridor rail operations. This post from Pedestrian Observations looks at what such a plan would mean.
South Korea to Build New Capital for Southern Sudan
The new country of Southern Sudan, officially declaring its independence in July, will have help from the national development arm of South Korea in building a proposed new capital city.
Cities Try New Approaches to Fund Streetcars
As federal transportation funding grows increasingly uncertain, cities across the country are trying new approaches to generate funds for their planned streetcar projects.
Old Airport to Become Large Urban Campground
An old disused airport in Brooklyn will be converted into an urban campground, expanding from its current 5 campsites to more than 600.
Busy L.A. Street to get Bus-Only Lane
The Los Angeles City Council has approved a 7.7-mile bus-only lane on one of the city's busiest thoroughfares.
Does Climate Change Transcend Partisan Politics?
A Yale University survey yielded a surprising result: climate change policy is becoming less polarizing among Americans of different political affiliations.
Rust Belt Mayors Are Greening Brownfields
With the unlikely help of a group called the Mayors Automotive Coalition, down-at-the-heels towns are reinventing themselves - in various shades of green.
Realizing Fast-Forward Urbanism
Top-down and bottom-up planning are brushed aside in favor of the concept of a middle ground approach in the new book "Fast-Forward Urbanism: Rethinking Architecture's Engagement with the City". It could work, according to this review.
The Disproportionate Influence of Cities in Countries Around World
At a recent conference on world cities, attendees from all over the world shared the impression that their cities do not receive enough respect from their national governments.
The Olympic Aftermath in Athens
This piece from Domus goes on a tour of Athens with local architect Andreas Angelidakis, who reflects on the city's lasting and negative impacts from hosting the Olympics.
China's Property Bubble May Be Bursting
Years of price hikes and a booming real estate sector look to be coming to a close in China.
Three Model Cities Seattle Can Learn From
Los Angeles, Cincinnati and San Francisco are tackling major urban problems quickly and effectively. This post argues that Seattle can learn much from these efforts.
Mega-Cities Team Up to Fight Climate Change
The mayors of the world's biggest cities convened in Sao Paolo recently to team up against climate change and sea level rise. Neal Peirce sees much promise in the effort.
Friday Funny: The Totalitarian Utopianism of Smurfs
A new book by researcher Antoine Buéno looks at the cartoon and comic book characters the Smurfs as an example of a totalitarian regime with utopian goals.
The True History of America's Interstate Highways
The Dwight D. Eisenhower System of Interstate and Defense Highways was actually the idea of an earlier president, according to this history of highways posted on The Infrastructurist.
New Orleans to Explore Dutch Approach to Water Management
A local firm is leading an effort in New Orleans to manage the city's water more like the Dutch.
Treasure Island Project Approved in San Francisco
A massive new neighborhood planned for the man-made former military site of Treasure Island in the San Francisco Bay has been unanimously approved by the city's Board of Supervisors.
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
