Government / Politics
The Rapid Growth of China's Rapid Transit
This post from The Transport Politic tracks the growth and planned expansion of rapid transit projects all across China
A Possible Dead End for High Speed Rail
Despite what seemed to be a gung-ho Federal government, high speed rail could flop in the U.S., according to this piece from The Infrastructurist.
Streets Improved, And Now the Bill
A variety of road and streetscape improvement projects in San Francisco are reviving the city's streets. But now, the city has to ask itself whether it wants to keep paying for these improvements.
Targeting Private Buildings For Energy Reduction
If cities want to curb energy use, they should focus on private buildings, according to this article.
Senate Climate Bill To Fund Transportation And Affect Fuel Markets
The American Power Act sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions, creates a cap, trade, and dividend program that rebates funds to energy bill payers, directs $6 billion yearly to targeted transportation programs, and curtails EPA's climate authority.
New York Town Makes English the Law
Jackson, New York and several other small upstate towns have entered the immigration wars by passing a law requiring all official town business to be conducted in English.
City And Business House Homeless
San Antonio, Texas, is partnering with business and nonprofit groups on a project aimed at curbing homelessness.
Packing The Court -- With City-Dwellers
If Elena Kagan is confirmed, not only will the Supreme Court get its third sitting woman. It will also get its second woman New Yorker. Bill Fulton considers the importance of the urban experience in jurisprudence.
The Infrastructural Benefit of South Africa's World Cup
Next month's World Cup in South Africa will bring a lot of attention to the country, and a lot of opportunity. Though many hope the country will see an economic benefit, the biggest impact is likely to be the creation of urban infrastructure.
The Rise of Security Cameras in New York City
The recent bomb scare in New York City's Times Square has brought increased attention to the city's system of security cameras.
Gainesville Tracks Drivers Yielding to Pedestrians
Police in Gainesville, Florida are trying to encourage drivers to be more cautious of pedestrians with a new sign and driver tracking program that tracks how many drivers are yielding to pedestrians.
Provinces, Cities Fill Canada's Federal Policy Vacuum
Jeffrey Simpson argues that, in most policy areas that matter to Canadians, the federal government is doing almost nothing, while provinces and cities are moving ahead with innovation in energy, climate change and transportation.
Videoconferencing as Planning Tool
Former Planetizen managing editor Christian Madera proposes that videoconferencing could revolutionize the public meeting because the entire proceedings could be "broken up and digitized."
City Planners Caught in Porn Scandal
Three planners and the zoning administrator in San Francisco's Planning Department are accused of circulating raunchy emails around the office and are at risk of losing their jobs.
Learning From Cleveland's Healthline BRT
With a plan to distribute $775 million in federal funding for urban bus projects, Next American City's Yonah Freemark suggests using it to fund projects like Cleveland's Healthline BRT.
Free Parking in Atlanta, To Punish Privatized Meter Readers
The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to approve a 30-day moratorium on enforcing the city's privately managed parking meters.
Security Cameras to Invade Manhattan
In the wake of an attempted car bombing in New York City's Times Square, officials are calling for the expanded use of security cameras throughout Manhattan.
Vancouver Considers $25 Million Investment in Bike Lanes
The city of Vancouver is looking to expand its bike network with the proposal of a $25 million investment in bicycle infrastructure over the next two years.
Planning for Development Around Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Boston Redevelopment Authority is looking to inject some life back into the area surrounding the relatively empty park atop the city's infamous Big Dig.
How Filming Rules Remade New York City
This post from Places looks at how former New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay's embrace of the film industry helped transform the city.
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
