Government / Politics

Uproar Over Bond Funds Benefiting Railroads

When California voters approved the $20 billion transportation bond in Nov., 2006 they supported the expenditure of over $2 billion for 'goods movement' stemming from the state's busy ports. However, some local officials object to rail projects.

February 18, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

First City to Address Energy and Climate Problems Jointly

Many cities are working toward addressing climate change. Some are establishing task forces to figure out how to prepare for peak oil. Spokane, Washington, is the first city to do both together, with a strategic planning effort launched last week.

February 18, 2008 - Post Carbon Cities

Ambitious Plans Unlikely, But Noble

This editorial argues that Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser's plans for a regional light rail system are ambitious and not likely to succeed, but they are a powerful example of the froward-thinking mindset more cities need.

February 17, 2008 - The Kansas City Star

Resort Towns Rethink Housing Subsidies

Resort towns in Wyoming are trying to preserve middle class populations and public servants by offering housing subsidies to relatively well-off families.

February 16, 2008 - The Boston Globe

Attack of the Public Art 'Monsters'

Prominent museum heads in the United Kingdom are calling for greater discretion in the commissioning of public art pieces. They say the latest batch of sculptures are "monsters".

February 16, 2008 - The Times (London)

L.A. Light Rail Changes Sought Due to Safety Concerns

Citing safety concerns, a grassroots organizer in Los Angeles is lobbying the city to rethink plans for a light rail line that passes by a school. He says the entire line should be built underground.

February 16, 2008 - Los Angeles City Beat

Indiana Approves Movie Incentive Plan

Lawmakers in Indiana have approved an incentive program that seeks to attract filmmakers to the state, a move that overrides a veto by Governor Mitch Daniels.

February 16, 2008 - The Indianapolis Star

Chicago Mayor Demands Better Transit

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has posed a challenge to the city's transit agency to revamp its system to be cleaner and faster, and also to emphasize the creation of retail shops in train stations.

February 15, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

New Mexico Critics Say Transportation Projects Suffer as Rail Runs

Criticism of New Mexico's commuter rail system heats up as officials claim Rail Runner starves other transportation projects of funding.

February 15, 2008 - Associated Press

The Greeenest Cities in America

Popular Science has released a list of the 50 greenest cities in America.

February 15, 2008 - Popular Science

Abandoned Houses and Vacancies Cause Cities Pain

Cities across the country scramble to deal with abandoned properties as they drive down local economies.

February 14, 2008 - The Baltimore Sun

Marine Protection Zone Proposed in California

California officials are proposing a broad swath of protected marine areas -- a plan that aims to reduce fishing and allow marine populations to flourish longer before being caught for consumption.

February 14, 2008 - The Sacramento Bee

Video: Amtrak Ridership Soars

This CBS News video interviews passengers, as they are working, aboard Amtrak's Acela between NYC and Washington DC. New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg who has proposed legislation, and Amtrak CEO Alexander Kummant are also interviewed.

February 14, 2008 - CBS News

Increasing Affordable Housing Requirement Sparks Debate in San Francisco

Planners in San Francisco are battling with city supervisors over plans to increase the affordable housing requirements for a new development -- a proposal that some planners say might scare off developers.

February 12, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Europe's Next Great Bicycling City

London is planning a new "superhighway" bicycle network that will help transform it into one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world.

February 12, 2008 - The Guardian

As D.C.-Dulles Rail Plans Stumble, BRT Advocates Jump In

As federal funding for the Washington D.C.-Dulles rail line teeters on the edge, proponents of bus rapid transit are taking the opportunity to tout BRT as the wiser and more affordable transit solution.

February 12, 2008 - The Washington Post

New York Parks Will Be On Camera

Surveillance cameras are expected to be installed in the public parks of New York City.

February 12, 2008 - New York Post

Georgia Water Restrictions May Be Loosened

Lawmakers in Georgia are looking to loosen water restrictions, enabling people to fill their swimming pools and water their plants despite a statewide drought.

February 12, 2008 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Chicago's Pay-to-Play Zoning Redux

A continuation of the series of articles from the Chicago Tribune that look at zoning and the politics that shape the city's land use.

February 12, 2008 - The Chicago Tribune

The Coming Debate On Reducing 'Vehicle Miles Traveled'

The Wall Street Journal's "Eyes on the Road" columnist, Joseph B. White, ponders the "next big debate over the role of the automobile in America" now that fuel efficiency was raised, and the direction he points to is most surprising.

February 11, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

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.