Government / Politics
Long Beach Cruisers
The city of Long Beach, California, has initiated a bike sharing program for city officials. The program consists of 16 shared bikes, usable by city employees for short trips and errands around the city.
'Make My Day' Meets 'Hasta La Vista'
In a classic Hollywood showdown that could only happen in California politics, Gov. Schwarzenegger axed actor-director-former Carmel, CA mayor Clint Eastwood from the Parks Commission at the expiration of his term after his 'no-vote' on a toll road.
Comprehensive Tolling Idea Meet Criticism in D.C.
A proposal to place tolls on many of the highways around Washington D.C. is being blasted by critics, who say planners should place more emphasis on providing better transit services than charging commuters left with few options.
Congestion Pricing Approved for Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge District, in agreeing to apply congestion pricing to the bridge, has saved the $158 million Urban Partnership grant for the Bay Area in the nick of time, but has created turmoil with S.F because of where the revenue goes.
Planning System Revamp May Speed Development in Santa Cruz
Bureaucratic red tape has slowed the development process for years in Santa Cruz, California. Now proposed changes look to speed up the process, but critics say the changes could open the door to under-controlled development.
Public Art Prompts Protests as Phoenix Faces Tight Budget
Phoenix's public art program is widely touted as one of the best in the country. But a proposed floating sculpture has elicited criticism from an otherwise uninvolved public, mainly due to the fact that the city is facing a large budget deficit.
Philadelphia Affordable Housing Organization Alleges HUD Vendetta
Officials in D.C. have sought to punish Philadelphia's Housing Director for not selling a vacant property to a friend of the HUD Secretary. The city was then found in violation of rules, and could now lose $50 million in housing funds.
Taking Another 'Big Look' at Oregon's Planning System
A state task force looking at improving the Oregon state land use and planning system is going back to work.
D.C. Plans Crackdown on Abusive Landlords and Condo Conversions
City councilors in Washington D.C. have proposed a plan to throw out exemptions that allowed hundreds of landlords to evict residents with little or no notice so they could convert buildings to high priced condos.
New England Clothesline Measures Up In Air
Measures are moving forward in Connecticut and Vermont that would protect the rights of residents to dry their laundry on clotheslines -- an act many opponents say drives down property values.
Public Buildings with a Side of Art
Included in the budget of any new county building in Los Angeles County is a 1% line item for the creation of public art -- part of a public art program initiated in 2004. The first building to utilize this line item has just been completed.
Tight Resources Hurt Denver's Historic Preservation
Denver is not providing enough resources to undertake historic preservation efforts, according to this open letter to Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Streetcar Plans Move Forward in Cincinnati
Plans for streetcars in Cincinnati are moving forward, as advocates have formally requested nearly $1 million to perform the preliminary studies required to apply for federal funding.
Key West's Main Drag?
Residents and public officials are calling on merchants to clean up Duval Street in Key West, Florida. Long considered the city's economic engine, the opposition believes some of the questionable quirkiness give the street and the city its character.
Grim Forecast For Transportation Progress In Bay Area
Bay Area political columnist Dan Borenstein examines long-term transportation data and concludes that driving will only increase unless politicians make driving more expensive and transit cheaper, a solution he regards as unlikely at best.
Guarding the Hollywood Sign
This report from NPR looks at the impending sale of land on the hillside above the infamous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, and the local official who's trying to prevent it.
The Developing Role of Charrettes
This episode of Smart City includes a discussion about charrettes with Bill Lennertz of the National Charrette Institute.
Adaptive Reuse: Historic Courthouse To Charter School
The 93-year old Bronx Borough Courthouse will soon become a charter school.
L.A. Erasing Murals
Murals are under fire in Los Angeles, as city officials are painting over what they see as "illegal signs".
Is Now the Time for an MPO in Melbourne?
With government plans to increase the amount of land used for affordable housing in Melbourne, Australia, some say it's time for a regional planning entity.
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
