Government / Politics
But... Europe
European cities and nations tend to have less violent crime than the United States. Is government social welfare spending the magic bullet that explains this difference?
Over Half of IIJA Funds Still Up for Grabs
Just 40 percent of funds from the massive infrastructure law have been allocated to projects three years after its passage.
The Risks of Self-Fulfilling Travel Forecasts
Transportation agencies continue to apply predict-and-provide planning which simply extrapolates past trends to predict future needs. It’s time to apply decide-and-provide planning to better achieve community goals.
MBTA to Electrify its First Commuter Rail Line
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will electrify the 9 mile Fairmount Line, the shortest of their 12 commuter rail lines, using battery-electric multiple units. The first BEMU trains are projected to be operating in early 2028.
Honolulu Has a New Chief Resilience Officer
Mayor Rick Blangiardi has appointed Ben Sullivan as executive director and chief resilience officer for the Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency.
New Book Shows How Geographic Technology Tackles Global Challenges
In his new book, Jack Dangermond explores the transformative impact of GIS technology in solving global challenges through spatial data, highlighting its widespread application across sectors and its potential to design sustainable futures.
Rising Heat Threatens Growing California Cities
Many rapidly growing inland California cities are facing increased extreme heat days due to climate change, putting more residents at risk of health issues and overwhelming local infrastructure.
Montana Supreme Court Upholds Zoning Reform Bills
The decision invalidates a preliminary injunction that blocked two key housing bills.
Court Bars EPA Probes in Louisiana’s ‘Cancer Alley’
A federal court ruling effectively prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from pursuing civil rights claims in one of the nation’s most polluted regions.
FEMA Extends Deadline for Hazard Mitigation Grant Applications
Tight applications prevented many communities struck by disasters from applying for FEMA resilience grants, so the agency issued a new rule that extended the application window.
Are FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Calculations Biased Against Rural Communities?
The federal tool used to inform flood protection spending calculates communities' risk by multiplying expected annual loss in dollars by their risk factor. As a result, many rural areas are classified as “low” risk, despite frequent, severe flooding.
Connecting With Communities About Parks and Recreation
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting over 60 public meetings in September to connect with the public and gather input to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
US Department of Energy Announces 10 New Climate Resilience Centers
The Biden administration has awarded $10 million for an additional 10 climate resilience centers as part of the Justice40 Initiative.
Judge Overturns Township’s Ban on Cemeteries
Brooks Township in Michigan ran afoul of the state constitution when it instituted a blanket cemetery ban with the intent to block a green cemetery.
When States Hinder Local Efforts to Cut Down on Cars
Reducing car dependency is a vital climate goal. Many U.S. cities want to shift trips to other modes, but they're often held back by state governments.
Feds Allocate $150 Million to Fix and Upgrade EV Charging Ports
Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility grant program will help advance the Biden Administration’s goal to have 500,000 public EV chargers in operation by 2030.
Congress Introduces Bill to Limit Size of SUVs and Trucks
Lawmakers want the federal government to set standards for vehicle height and visibility to combat the sharp rise in pedestrian deaths over the past decade.
Judge: Airbnb Can Be Held Liable for Shooting Death at Illegal Short-Term Rental
Elhania v. Airbnb, Inc. will be the first case in the U.S. to hold Airbnb responsible for a shooting death that happened at a home rented through the platform, because the short-term rental violated local laws designed to protect from that type of harm.
Maryland City Bans Smoking on a Public Street
City officials in Cumberland, Maryland, say smoking and use of smokeless tobacco products have deterred visitors to its downtown pedestrian mall and hopes the ban will make the area more welcoming.
Democrats Embrace YIMBY Ideas
Vice President Harris’s housing platform is shaping up to include some long-awaited support for pro-density policies and zoning reform.
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
