Government / Politics
Beijing to Build 21 New Rail Lines by 2020
Officials in Beijing are planning to build 21 more rail and subways lines by the year 2020.
States Forced to Close Parks
Facing tight budgets, many states are closing or limiting access to their parks and natural resources.
Amid a Slow Recovery, Frustration Grows in Haiti
Frustration and anger are rampant in Port-au-Prince, where recovery from the earthquake that thrashed the city in January has been slow and, by some local accounts, corrupt.
Shrinking and Aging Population Poses Problems for Germany
Emigration is up and the birth rate is dropping in Germany, where people are starting to worry about what a shrinking and aging population will mean for the country's future.
The Uncomfortable Relationship Between Race and Public Transit in L.A.
As part of his series about walking across Los Angeles, writer Ryan Bradley delves into the complicated and controversial relationship between race and transit in the city.
No U.S. Cities in Top 25 Best Cities of the World
London-based consulting company Mercer released their yearly rankings of the 25 most liveable cities, and no American cities make the grade. Vienna is number one, and Vancouver takes fourth.
FRA Grants Electrification Waiver For Commuter Rail Line - A First
The Federal Railroad Administration does not allow for the mixing of train types for safety reasons, which proved a key obstacle for Caltrain's plan for electrification. As a pilot project,they are allowing the line to utilize electric multiple units
Tiger II Grants Announced
The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced the availability of $600 million in new funding for surface transportation projects.
The Bright Lights of Nairobi: Brought to You By Colgate
A private company, working with the City Council of Nairobi, sells advertising space to fund streetlights in the city. Smart public/private partnership, or intrusion of advertising on public spaces?
Seattle's Backyard Cottages Encouraged
Don't call them granny flats or inlaw units! These are separate units that can only be built on lots of 4,000 sq. ft. minimum. Only 50 have been built or permitted since the trial began in 2006. The goal is to bring affordabllity to SFH neighborhoods
New Crop on BC Farms: RVs
With fruit prices way down, some farmers in British Columbia are taking their fields out of production and renting them out as RV parks. The government in Kelowna, BC, is not happy.
Radical Ideas for Creating More Streamlined Government
State governments in the U.S. are radically rethinking how they work. With tight budgets and little sign of improvement anytime soon, big ideas are bubbling. But few have been put in motion.
Measuring the Legacy and Risks of South Africa's World Cup
As South Africa prepares to host the soccer World Cup, questions remain about whether the estimated $6 billion investment will be worth it. Some say those questions won't be answered for years.
Looking Forward to the Future in Columbus
Like Daniel Burnham's famous Chicago plan, a bold plan for Columbus, Ohio has been proposed by the Columbus Downtown Development Corp. The plan, developed by consultant MSI Design, hearkens back to turn-of-the-century city plans that went unrealized.
Troubled Times for Philadelphia's Underfunded Parks
With one of Philadelphia's best-supported public parks in danger of losing the private funding that keeps it maintained, Philadelphia Inquirer architecture critic Inga Saffron looks at the sad state of the city's parks.
Denver's Form-Based Code Closer to Approval
Five years in the works, Denver's new zoning code has been introduced. The form-based code now faces a period of public input before its expected approval.
Charlotte's Light Rail Extension Faces Decade of Delay
Plans to expand Charlotte's CATS light rail system to a nearby university could be delayed by a decade or more.
London Mayor Seeks to Downsize Congestion Charge Area
London Mayor Boris Johnson is proposing a plan to scrap the extension of the city's congestion charge in the west, instituted by his predecessor. Some say the city's air pollution and congestion improvements will be lost.
Funding for Washington DC H Street Streetcar Line Pulled at 11th Hour
The Washington DC City Council voted Wednesday to approve a FY2011 budget which strips nearly all the funding to complete the H Street-Benning Road streetcar line. The line is partially complete, and several streetcars have already been purchased.
Do You Have $600 Billion For A New Transportation Bill?
DOT Secretary Ray LaHood is taped while speaking at a community meeting in Manhattan's Chinatown expressing enthusiasm for 'tolling', though it's not clear what roads or bridges would be tolled, which was clarified in a subsequent email.
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
