Government / Politics
Livability Lessons from Gainesville
Urban designer David Green talks with Anthony Lyons, Director of the city of Gainesville's Community Redevelopment Agency, about his successes in the city and how other cities can become more livable.
Museum Steps in as Budget Cuts Threaten Watts Towers
As the city of Los Angeles's budget faces deep cuts, money to pay for the upkeep of the city's iconic Watts Towers folk art installation has dried up. But a museum is stepping in to try to keep the Towers alive.
Transportation Bill Reauthorization Could Come Soon
More than 2 years after it expired, the federal transportation bill is likely to be reauthorized soon, according to Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Bridge Plan Rejected in Favor of Cheaper Alternatives
Long-held plans for a new bridge over the Columbia River between Portland and Vancouver, Washington, have been thrown out by a panel of experts who have suggested cheaper alternatives.
Canada's Constitution Fuels Urban Crisis
Formed as a primarily agrarian nation, Canada is now seeing its cities crippled by constitutional arrangements that leaves its cities underfunded and with only minimal support from the federal government, writes John Macfarlane.
An Understandable Zoning Guide
New York City has released a new handbook of its zoning regulations in an illustrated, easily-comprehensible guide.
Corruption of Small Cities in L.A. County Reflect a Failure of Governance
The city of Bell made news in 2010 with rampant misappropriation of public funds, but the problem is still (as ever) more widespread than anyone realizes.
EPA to select 20 communities for Sustainability Program
Interested communities are invited to apply until February 23, 2011. The purpose of the program is to help interested communities adopt sustainable planning methods.
Temecula Mosque Plan Approved Unanimously
The City Council of Temecula, CA decided that a proposed mosque met all zoning requirements and voted to approve its construction, despite opposition that supporters claim was fueled by religious reasons and not concerns over traffic and parking.
Religious Freedoms vs. Land-Use Laws
A Vermont couple is challenging the decision of a state zoning commission that limits their right to illuminate a 24 foot cross on their own property to several weeks around Christmas.
Religious Freedoms vs. Land-Use Laws
A Vermont couple is challenging the decision of a state zoning commission that limits their right to illuminate a 24 foot cross on their own property to several weeks around Christmas.
Transit Projects Create More Bang for the Buck
A new report from Smart Growth America finds that stimulus spending on public transit produced 70% more jobs per dollar than road spending.
Caltrain In Freefall
Service will be cut 44%, half the stations to close, elimination of mid-day and weekend service - that is the scenario laid for Caltrain, the West's oldest commuter rail, unless $30 million can be found - unlikely.
The Mega-Problem for Mega-Cities: Management
Neither technology nor infrastructure shows any limit for how big or how fast cities can grow and more megacities are on the horizon, according to this piece from Richard Dobbs and Jaana Remes.
Deep Pockets Fund Major Infrastructure in Qatar
More than $200 billion worth of projects are either planned or underway in Qatar, and nearly half of them are infrastructure.
Multidisciplinary Mega Cities
Building megacities needs to be a multidisciplinary effort, according to architect and designer Sean C. S. Chiao.
Boulder's Smart Grid 'Bloody Nose'
Three years ago, Boulder grabbed international attention when it announced plans to construct a "smart grid" of high tech tools to help cut its electricity consumption. But that project has gone way over budget.
Brazil Inundated by Poor Planning Practices
While Brazil sits underwater due to heavy rains, an even greater political problem persists.
Investing in the Future of Air
The demand for air travel may seem to be on the decline, but it's actually rising -- and playing a major role in determining which places are more economically successful.
Planning for Kids Makes Cities Better for All
While some cities have focused planning efforts on making their public spaces more accessible for the elderly, some argue that the age group they should be focusing on is kids.
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
