Government / Politics
Many Ideas On Improving L.A. Mobility But No Consensus
A number of ideas for improving public transit and reducing congestion are floating around Los Angeles. But without consensus, it may be a long while before any of the proposed solutions is realized.
Transit Proposal Also Funds Roads, Putting Voters In A Pickle
A proposal to expand Seattle's light rail system also includes provisions for extensive road construction, putting transit advocates in the awkward position of voting for both transit and roads.
Ontario's Election Campaign Ignoring Roads, Bridges
The deterioration of Ontario's aging roadways and bridges isn't emerging as an issue in Provincial elections.
What's Wrong With ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act has generally been the subject of much controversy and debate, but especially amongst planners and developers.
Is Toronto 'Headed For The Welfare Lines'?
Years of job losses, the expense of paying for services formerly offered by the Provincial government, and an over-reliance on property tax revenue have left Canada's largest city with a huge deficit.
German Mag-Lev Line Edges Closer To Reality
In Germany, the governor of Bavaria has announced that financing has been secured for a 23-mile mag-lev train from downtown Munich to its international airport. But others say the funding is less-than secure.
Senate Approves Water Bill, But Veto Looms
A major water bill that would authorize future spending on infrastructure projects -- especially in Louisiana -- is drawing heat and threats of a presidential veto because it does little to reform the highly-criticized Army Corps of Engineers.
Suburban Boston Lashes Out Against McMansions
Residents and planners are just about fed up with McMansions in the Bsoton suburb of Wellesley, and they are looking to impose strict regulations on housing size and give a residential board oversight on proposed houses.
Why Idaho Shouldn't Pay Per Mile
This editorial from the Idaho Statesman says that a proposal to switch from a per-gallon gas tax to a per-mile taxing system is flawed.
Struggling Paris Suburb Still Waits For Help
Clichy-sous-Bois, the Paris suburb that ignited angry rioting amongst France's young minorities in 2005, is still waiting on the government to provide for its struggling populace.
Questions Surround L.A.'s Tree-Planting Plan
The city of Los Angeles has announced a plan to plant 1 million trees in the next few years, and though the city has been successful in giving many trees away to people with the intention of planting them, no one is sure how many of them are planted.
Affordable Housing Bill Gathers Momentum
A bill originally introduced in 1987 that would create a trust fund to support the creation of affordable housing may be on its way to congressional approval this fall.
The Year-Long Deliberation Over Rezoning
County officials in Georgia have once again extended their moratorium on residential rezonings as they weigh whether changes will encourage sprawl. The latest extension will stretch the original 90-day moratorium to nearly a year.
Pay As You Drive (PAYD) System Test Gets Go Ahead
In six states, test runs will assess public attitudes and acceptance of road taxation systems that ditch gas taxes and charge drivers based on how many miles they drive.
Corps Of Engineers Taking Heat For Ineffective Project
An Army Corps of Engineers project intended to save a Missouri town from flooding by draining a massive wetland has been identified as an ineffective plan. The Corps and its political supporters are under fire for pushing overly expensive projects.
Candidate Says Planning Should Be Top Priority In Philadelphia
A Philadelphia mayoral candidate says the first step to fixing the city under his administration would be a revamping and revival of the city's planning system.
Bill Seeks Fast-Track Approval For Emissions-Reducing Projects
A bill being pushed in the California State Senate looks to ease the approval of developments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- part of an effort to help the state reach its goal of 25% in reductions by 2020.
Misplaced Concerns Over North American Superhighway
This commentary looks at the paranoia surrounding plans to construct a superhighway from Mexico to Canada, and claims that conspiracy theories about its intentions are hindering public policy.
Inside New York's Congestion Pricing Plan
In this four-part interview, Streetsblog's Aaron Naparstek talks with New York City's Director of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability about the city's congestion pricing aspirations.
Castro's Brother Pushes Quality Of Life In Cuba
While the ailing Fidel Castro remains behind the scenes in Cuba's governing, his brother Raúl has earned popular praise for putting various quality-of-life projects on the fast track.
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
