Government / Politics
Houston Makes Agreement With Advertiser To Cut 800 Billboards
The City of Houston has come to an agreement with Clear Channel Advertising for the company to remove about 800 billboards from the city -- the result of a citywide plan to clean up the city's "visual clutter" that started more than 20 years ago.
Main Street Preservation Aims Harm Economy
This article from Reason looks at a regulatory system in Alexandria, Virginia, that seeks to maintain the city's historic Old Town neighborhood. But is the regulation burdening local businesses owners to the point of hurting the economy?
Canada's Capital Errors
Thanks to a series of "lousy" public policy decisions, Ottawa - Canada's national capital - is growing increasingly dysfunctional, writes Jeffrey Simpson.
Small Towns Look To Keep Young Professionals By Increasing Affordable Housing
County officials in New York are looking to award more than $87 million to small towns to increase their stock of affordable housing -- an effort aimed at luring and keeping young professionals. But opposition to this development type is a hurdle.
States Dependent On Colorado River Water Agree On Plan
The seven western states dependent on the Colorado River for their water are on the verge of coming to an agreement on a management plan to ensure a steady supply of water from the increasingly stressed source. But some say the plan won't do enough.
National Heritage Areas In Center of Property Rights Debate
With more and more land receiving federal protection as National Heritage Areas, property rights activists are butting heads with the preservationists they say are taking rights away from landowners.
Is A Subway System Possible In Kansas City?
The city may consider a heavy rail subway system after overturning a light rail ballot initiative.
New Orleans To Slash Low Income Housing
Plans to demolish low income housing and remove FEMA trailers are putting the poor of New Orleans in a tight spot.
Lessons From America's Most Ambitious Infrastructure Project
The City Journal examines lessons from Boston's 35-year, $14.8 billion Big Dig project and asks how can American invest in infrastructure -- and do it intelligently?
Munich: A Marvel Of Smart Growth and Urban Planning
Urban planners and developers in the Western United States could learn a lot from Munich, Germany, argues one online commentator.
Mayor To Employees: Get On The Bus
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wants city employees to ride the bus to work, and he's proposing giving them free transit passes to make it easier for workers to make the switch.
China Moves To Protect Farmland With Higher Taxes
To stem the loss of farmland to development, the Chinese government is raising taxes on non-farmed arable land by 500%.
Planners Object, But Courts Approve Housing Development
When developers made plans for a housing development on land an Israeli kibbutz had to sell off, planners said the required rezoning was out of the question. But five years later and still without planners' approval, the courts have allowed project.
Holding The Line On Miami-Dade's Urban Development Boundary
Citing strained resources, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez has vetoed a number of development projects located outside of the County's ever-tenuous urban development boundary.
...Because It's Called 'Lawndale', Not 'Concretedale'
The Southern California city of Lawndale has passed tight restrictions that prohibit residents from paving their front yards with concrete -- an effort to reduce the amount of vehicles parked in front yards and fight what some call a "sea of gray."
The Two Faces of California's Upcoming Election Year
In California, the 2008 election year may result in victories for two contrasting interest: those who want to limit eminent domain powers and those seeking increased regulation of land use, writes William Fulton.
Eminent Domain In The Spotlight
With the recent multi-million dollar settlement over a Connecticut town's abuse of eminent domain, the land acquisition practice is facing increasing scrutiny nationwide.
After City Inaction, Philadelphia Casino Construction Approved By Court
Calling out the Philadelphia City Council for "deliberate inaction" on a casino developer's zoning requests, the state Supreme Court has overstepped the city authority to approve the casino's construction.
Project Approved Under Measure 37 To Test Measure 49
A subdivision project enabled by Oregon's Measure 37 and already under development when the state's voter passed the counteractive Measure 49 in November may be allowed to continue, raising questions about how to interpret to competing measures.
Nevada's Federal Land Sale Fuels Growth
Federal land in Las Vegas has been sold off by the government, creating a fund worth billions of dollars. The fund has been used for many public service and preservation projects in the state. But some say it opens space up for unchecked growth.
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