Government / Politics
Land Use Planning And Climate Change May Be Linked In Lawsuits
While Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has received fame for making global warming a priority, he has studiously avoided the land use connection. Not so for California's attorney general, who is tackling the issue head on, even warning of litigation.
San Jose: 'Not For Sale By Owner'
Economist Peter Gordon reflects on a recent tour of San Jose, California -- where the so-called "revitalized" downtown is dead and nearly one-third of the city is blighted.
Measure 49 Only A Small Step Back From Measure 37
This editorial from The Oregonian argues that even though Measure 49 passed, it is only a slight step backward on an irreversible path towards more property rights in Oregon.
Seeking Solutions To New York's Pigeon Problem
A city councilman in New York City is looking to counteract the city's pigeon problem by charging a $1,000 fine to anyone caught feeding the birds.
Congress Members May Oppose Funding For California High Speed Rail
A dispute over two possible routes for California's high-speed rail line has elevated to members of Congress formally opposing federal funding for a route that does not include their districts.
Is Michael Bloomberg America's Ken Livingstone?
Sounding eerily similar to his London counterpart, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called on the federal government to adopt a national carbon tax. Bloomberg is currently pushing congestion pricing similar to London's program implemented in 2003.
Measure 37 Projects Up In Air After Passage Of Measure 49
With the passage of Oregon's Measure 49, some development projects already approved under the now-overturned Measure 37 may be in limbo as the courts determine whether they can be completed.
The Music Of Failed Planning
Some urban planning projects are so frustratingly bad you just have to sing about them ... or at least find some songs to help vent that frustration. This blog post from Stuck Between Stations finds those songs.
Speedbumps Hinder U.S. Mayors Carbon Pledge
The mayors of more than 700 American cities have signed a pledge to reduce the carbon emissions of their cities. Following up on that pledge is turning out to be a bit difficult.
Keeping Hope Alive After Seattle Votes Down Transit Funding
Voters in Seattle recently voted down a proposition to significantly fund roads and transit in the region. Advocates are pushing forward with efforts to keep the transportation funding issues alive and attain the money needed.
Bay Area Drivers Would Support Global Warming Gas Tax
A surprising poll shows that Bay Area residents -- who already pay the nation's highest gas prices -- would agree to a 25-cent gas tax if revenue were applied to reduce global warming. Efforts are underway to put that support to a vote.
Air Boards & MPOs Must Team Up To Reduce Carbon Emissions
The key to meeting carbon reduction goals lies in reducing transportation emissions through changing land use. But to do so requires air resources boards and the many metropolitan planning organizations to play key roles.
Everglades Restoration Bogged Down By Politics
Ambitious effort to restore the Florida Everglades faces lack of funds and political complications.
People Power
Volunteer-run neighborhood councils in Los Angeles are gaining political power and showing what a new kind of politics could look like.
Oregon Voters Approve Property Rights Reduction Measure
Oregon voters yesterday approved Measure 49 -- a property rights initiative that scales back the development rights landowners were granted by the state's Measure 37 in 2004.
Delayed Boston Tunnel Project Irks Residents, Local Officials
Citing the need for more public input, rebuilding Boston's Storrow Drive tunnel is going to take longer than expected. Local residents and officials raise concerns about safety risks and rising costs.
Despite Congratulations, Completed Affordable Housing Falls Short Of Need
As public officials in New York tout their own work to build affordable housing, housing advocates are filing lawsuits against them arguing that they have fallen way short of the amount of units their cities need.
Mayors Keep Eyes On Green Future
Despite the sometimes difficult task of convincing residents of its importance, the protection of the environment must be the priority of cities. That was the message more than 100 American mayors heard and stressed at a recent meeting.
'All Government Planning Is Bad'
FrontPage Magazine features this Q&A with Cato Institute Senior Fellow Randal O'Toole about why government planning is bad for everybody.
Congestion Pricing Facing Uphill Battle In San Francisco
London Mayor Ken Livingstone discusses how congestion pricing came about in 2003, and the key role the business community played. Unlike London or NYC, downtown San Francisco merchants fear that congestion pricing will only be bad for business.
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
