Government / Politics

Affordable Housing May Be Required in San Francisco Redevelopment

A measure to require half of all new housing units in San Francisco's planned redevelopment of Bayview-Hunters Point is heading to the city's June ballot. The developer says the measure will kill the project.

March 8, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Tight New York Parking Blamed on City Employee Permits

More than 142,000 parking permits have been issued by the city of New York for public employees, enabling free parking all over the city. Critics blame the high number of permits for clogging the city's streets.

March 7, 2008 - The New York Times

Shake-Up in Salt Lake City Planning

New Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has followed through on campaign promises to begin an overhaul of the city's planning department, handing out a series of firings in an effort to revitalize and streamline the city's planning process.

March 7, 2008 - The Salt Lake Tribune

Boise a Case Study for the High-Tech Economy

Idaho policymakers must make necessary investments and attract talent to succeed, according to a new report.

March 5, 2008 - Idaho Business Review

If You Prevent It, They Won't Do It

The Golden Gate Bridge has a four foot railing along its pedestrian sidewalk. Mental health advocates have long demanded that a barrier be placed to prevent those intent on suicide from jumping, and point to studies showing why it is needed.

March 5, 2008 - The Washington Post

The Bridge to Nowhere, Sprawl, and the Alaska Senate Race

Alaska's "bridge to nowhere" would really be a bridge to sprawl -- and that's why it'll be a crucial issue in the upcoming Senate re-election campaign of 84-year-old Ted Stevens against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.

March 5, 2008 - California Planning & Development Report

5 Proven Ways to Preserve Open Space

What is your county doing to preserve open spaces important to your community? And is it effective? If the answers to those questions are "not enough" and "no", read on and take these effective strategies to your lawmakers.

March 5, 2008 - The Daily Green

Government Programs Stifle Local Farmers

Government subsidy programs designed to support the production of the four major food crops are limiting - even penalizing - small farmers' ability to meet regional demand for local fruits and vegetables.

March 5, 2008 - The New York Times

Canada's Federal Budget Boosts Transit, Municipal Budgets

Canada's new federal budget allocates $500 million for public transit and makes a "permanent" commitment to allocating a portion of the gas tax to municipalities for infrastructure-related spending. But is it enough?

March 5, 2008 - CBC News

Cities Don't Need Special Treatment

This opinion piece from The Boston Globe calls for an end to the special treatment and unfair taxes levied on city residents.

March 4, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Feds Step in as Southern States Fail to Meet Water Agreement

The long-running tri-state battle over water rights between Florida, Alabama and Georgia have yet to be resolved, so the federal government has announced its intentions to impose its own solution.

March 4, 2008 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Brief History of Planning in San Diego

As the city of San Diego prepares to consider a new general plan, the San Diego Union-Tribune looks back at the last 100 years in city planning.

March 4, 2008 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Border Fence Plan Fight Continues in Texas

This report from NPR examines the controversy and battle brewing between the federal government and small towns in Texas over a Department of Homeland Security plan to build more than 700 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.

March 4, 2008 - NPR

Why Protecting Ballpark's Historic Designation is Good for Chicago

A proposal to sell the naming rights of Chicago's Wrigley Field is being seen as a relaxation of the ballpark's historic landmark restrictions and may open the door for city-wide landmark designation challenges, according to this commentary.

March 3, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

Beneath the Surface of L.A.'s Densification

This article from the LA Weekly looks at efforts by the city planning department and key politicians to increase the density of the city.

February 29, 2008 - LA Weekly

Idaho Cracks Down on Urban Renewal District Abuse

Lawmakers in Idaho have proposed a bill that seeks to limit urban renewal district abuses.

February 28, 2008 - Idaho Business Review

Miami Reaches For The Sky

Due to the relaxation of FAA height limits, downtown Miami may see its ever-changing skyline rise even higher.

February 28, 2008 - The Miami Herald

Economic Stimulus Package - No Infrastructure Funding...Yet

If a group of bipartisan governors from some of the nation's largest states have their way, the $168 billion economic stimulus package will include $30 billion to repair the nation's infrastructure, including road, rail, and bridges.

February 28, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Green Building Requirement Weighed in San Francisco

The city of San Francisco is considering a proposal to require most new commercial and residential buildings to comply with the green building standard LEED.

February 27, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Bush Denies Infrastructure Funding

The pleas of governors from across the country for more infrastructure funding have been shot down by President George W. Bush.

February 27, 2008 - The New York Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.