Government / Politics

New Jersey Tax Credit To Encourage Transit-Oriented Locations

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine is pushing a bill that would offer tax credits of up to $75 million to businesses that locate within a half-mile of a transit station.

January 4, 2008 - The Star-Ledger

How Presidential Politics 'Hurts Cities'

In this video clip, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown discusses how presidential politics are unduly influenced by rural power, at the expense of the interests of cities.

January 4, 2008 - AlterNet

California Is Defined By Cultural Changes Accompanying Its Enormous Growth

Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters examines both state and Census Bureau growth figures for California, concluding that the significant difference is less important than what the huge growth means for the future of the nation's most populous state.

January 4, 2008 - The Sacramento Bee

One-Man Roadblock to Atlanta's Beltline Project

The expansive Beltline transit and parkspace development planned for Atlanta is being hindered by one man's lawsuits over the legality of the funding used to build it.

January 3, 2008 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

'Phenomenal' Impact of Mortgage Crisis on States, Cities

Numerous foreclosures and vacant properties mean dramatically reduced property and sales tax revenues and hence significant budgeting shortfalls.

January 3, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Federal Transit Grants Favor Buses Over Portland Streetcar

Portland wants to expand its streetcar system, and is relying on federal funds to do it. But the Federal Transit Administration says it will give grants to only cost-effective proposals -- creating a heavy bias toward buses and away from streetcars.

January 3, 2008 - The Oregonian

Anti-Terrorism Intersects With Planning

This article from Progressive Planning calls on planners to more closely consider the way anti-terrorism planning affects the general practice of urban planning.

January 3, 2008 - Progressive Planning

Green Building Requirements Proposed in Israel

Israel has announced plans to require green building standards on new constructions, but some say the requirements don't go far enough.

January 1, 2008 - Haaretz

The Smoke Clears In Paris

Beginning tomorrow, smoking will be banned in all public restaurants, bars and cafes in Paris, a city where smoking is as much a part of the culture as an addiction.

December 31, 2007 - International Herald Tribune

America's Global Warming-Fighting Attorney General

California Attorney General (and former governor) Jerry Brown may be to global warming what former NY Attorney General (now Governor) Elliot Spitzer was to corporate reform, as his widely watched lawsuits, and threats of lawsuits, have gained fame.

December 29, 2007 - ASSOCIATED PRESS via San Diego Union-Tribune

Height Restrictions May Be Lifted In Paris

This report from NPR looks at plans in Paris that could lift building height restrictions and dramatically alter the city's skyline.

December 29, 2007 - NPR

The Power Of The Threat Of Eminent Domain

In New York, eminent domain is not necessarily the direct work of the government, and often the threat of eminent domain is enough to clear the way for development. This editorial explains how.

December 28, 2007 - The New York Sun

California Experts on 'Establishing a Framework for Equitable Growth'

California's population is not only immense, it's incredibly diverse. Building the infrastructure to serve the state's current residents has proven a difficult task -- one that won't get any easier.

December 27, 2007 - The Planning Report

The Property Tax and the Fortunes of Older Industrial Cities

Discontent with one particular type of public levy, the local property tax, is gaining momentum across the country. Disgruntled homeowners are demanding that governors and mayors find alternative methods to raise revenue.

December 27, 2007 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Guns or Bridges?

U.S. Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D) argues that the war in Iraq is diverting billions of dollars that are badly needed to shore up America's crumbling infrastructure.

December 26, 2007 - Albany Times-Union

Congestion Pricing: Unpopular On The Ground And In The Sky

Federal officials backed away from a plan to use congestion pricing to manage commercial air traffic in the New York region.

December 25, 2007 - The Houston Chronicle

O, Embattled Town of Bethlehem

Competing ancient claims to land, religious fervor and the construction of a massive "security" wall make Bethlehem the most contested city on Earth.

December 25, 2007 - National Geographic

Lack Of Foresight Hung Atlanta Up To Dry

Poor planning has put Atlanta in the drought-stricken position it's in now, and there are few signs that anything is changing on that front, according to this editorial from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

December 23, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

San Mateo: First California County To Subdivide Housing Need Allocations

"Regional Housing Needs Allocations" are generally dreaded by California cities who resist state mandates to provide affordable housing. Rather than being assigned the requirement by the regional COG, San Mateo's 20 cities chose to do it themselves.

December 23, 2007 - Redwood City Daily News

U.S. Mayor Calls Bush Years 'Disastrous' for America's Cities

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson condemns the Bush Administration's disregard for America's cities in this video.

December 23, 2007 - AlterNet

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.