Government / Politics

A Taller D.C. Would Mean More Transportation Demand

As some voices in Washington D.C. call for increasing the city's building height limit, The Transport Politic looks at what that might mean for transportation demands in the city.

March 4, 2011 - the transport politic

Reno's Wind Turbine Derby

The city of Reno, Nevada has installed nine different wind turbines around town to test out their varying designs in an effort to find out which is the most efficient turbine to consider for large-scale installation.

March 4, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

High-Speed Rail's Hidden Agenda

Writing for Newsweek, George Will claims that the real reason that progressives are gung ho for high-speed rail is because it suppresses the individualism of Americans and makes them more subservient to government.

March 3, 2011 - Newsweek

Transportation Could Take Big Hit from Government Shutdown

If no solution is made by the end of this week, a government shutdown will grind Washington to a halt. As Steetsblog reports, that shutdown could cost the transportation sector $100 million per day.

March 3, 2011 - Streetsblog

Obama Urges States to Focus on Infrastructure

Despite recent state actions to counter the federal government's efforts, President Barack Obama has called on the nation's governors to make infrastructure projects a priority.

March 3, 2011 - Governing

The Suburbanization of Chicago

With the Second City experiencing a 7% decline in the population over the past decade, the newly elected Mayor Rahm Emmanuel must adapt to a suburban-dominated environment.

March 2, 2011 - Chicago Tribune

Bike Lane Battle Drags on in New York City

The city of New York has been trying to encourage an increase in bike lanes throughout the city. But the issue has become increasingly political, and progress has been slowed.

March 2, 2011 - The Gotham Gazette

New City to Sprout in Qatar Ahead of World Cup

Qatar is building cities from scratch ahead of its hosting duties for the 2022 World Cup. One city to be located near the tournament's final match will house 200,000.

March 2, 2011 - Bloomberg

Chicago Plans Electric Vehicle Charging Network

The city of Chicago is planning to build a network of 280 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the city by the end of the year.

March 2, 2011 - Grist

The Connection Between DC Height Regulations and Public Transit

Angie Schmitt explains why the debate over removing Washington DC's famous height regulations depends on the city's transportation plans.

March 1, 2011 - Streets Blog Network

NYC and Privatized Parking

NYC is asking private investment banks to submit ideas on how to privatize city assets.

March 1, 2011 - Streets Blog

The Contradictions of Regulating Temporary Spaces

As popularity of "temporary urbanism" initiatives rises, there are increasingly efforts to regulate these sites. Jonna McKone of TheCityFix analyzes the trend.

February 27, 2011 - TheCityFix

House Committee Wants to Kill HUD, USDOT and EPA Programs

The House Appropriations Committee announced earlier this month a proposed elimination of HUD, USDOT and EPA sustainability programs, in addition to pulling already-awarded funding for TIGER grants.

February 27, 2011 - PlaceShakers

Rio de Janeiro Residents Protest Olympics Projects

As the city of Rio de Janeiro prepares to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, residents there say many of the projects underway are violating their rights.

February 26, 2011 - The Globe and Mail

Designing Out Obesity

An emerging design movement is trying to counteract obesity in American cities.

February 26, 2011 - Fast Co. Design

An Urbanized and Unequal Planet

In this piece from Metropolis, Joel Kotkin argues that as the world urbanizes, cities are becoming increasingly unequal and do not provide the opportunities they once did.

February 25, 2011 - Metropolis

The Importance of Public Squares

With the recent developments happening in North Africa and the Middle East, public squares are taking center-stage as the epicenters of change.

February 25, 2011 - Urban Omnibus

Public Space and Revolution

Jay Walljasper discusses the role of public spaces in recent protests and revolutions from Madison, Wisconsin to Cairo, Egypt.

February 24, 2011 - On The Commons

Federal Lending Should Support Local Transit Funds

The federal government should play a larger role in lending money to local governments for transit projects, and not just spending money, according to this oped.

February 24, 2011 - San Gabriel Valey Tribune

The Good and Bad of Vancouver's Olympic Legacy

This column from The Seattle Times looks at two of the physical legacies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and finds both success and room for improvement.

February 24, 2011 - The Seattle Times

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.