Government / Politics
Pittsburgh's Livability: It's The Small Things
The credit for Pittsburgh's recent honor of 'most livable city' goes not to big marketing or development initiatives, but the sum of a lot of small things that make the city and region a good place to live.
Can Planners Fix Scotland's Housing Shortage?
Scotland's shortage of affordable housing is causing many to rethink planning and policy regulations.
India To Draft National Climate Change Plan
Government will draft a policy to address deforestation, melting glaciers, and energy-efficient economic growth but officials did not mention cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
Congress To Fund More Affordable Housing
A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to build or rehabilitate 1.5 million affordable homes in the next 10 years. Housing advocates say this is the first step towards solving a growing problem.
The Arts and Austin's Second Street District
Austin's artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses contribute to the vibrancy, help define the identity, and sustain and grow the city's diverse cultures, especially in the burgeoning Second Street District.
Who Is A 'Stakeholder'?
After eight years of existence, neighborhood councils in Los Angeles are still struggling to define who should be involved in their process of advising the city.
Building Incentive's Appeal Is Unlucky Break For Las Vegas
A highly favorable tax incentive for green building in Las Vegas could cost the city up to $50 million per year -- an unintentionally high price tag for a program few were expected to take advantage of.
Manhattan Parking Spot Going For $225,000
Parking spaces in New York cost as much as $225,000 and could soon be going higher still, putting the cost for the prime spots above the price tag of the typical U.S. home price.
Is Your City Watching You?
New York City has plans to install a permanent closed-circuit camera system throughout the city. It is based on a similar system in London, which some credit with preventing terrorist acts. But the system's constitutionality is a major concern.
Britain's New Prime Minister Targets Affordable Housing
2 weeks into office, Gordon Brown has announced plans for a number of reforms to streamline planning, expand social housing programs, and develop 3 million new homes by 2020.
The Battle Over San Francisco's Parking Policy
Developers and businesses opposed to the city's smart growth-friendly parking limits are fighting back with a proposed ballot measure to reinstate minimum parking requirements.
Politics And Assembly Report Appear To Doom NYC Congestion Plan
In a bizarre unfolding of political events in Albany, it appears that the London-style congestion pricing plan proposed by Mayor Bloomberg will be replaced by a simplified TDM approach including telecommuting incentives and funding for express buses.
Embracing Congestion May Save County Money
Facing a transportation funding shortage, a county supervisor in Washington has proposed letting some roadways get more crowded and congested to save the money that would have been spent to improve them -- money the county doesn't have.
Power To The People
The British government is working on the details of a pilot program that will create small neighborhood councils that would control public money and make decisions on various infrastructure and civic projects.
Ex-Official Says Seattle Stopped Listening
Seattle's public participation process has served as an example for cities across the globe, but the former city official who was instrumental in creating that reputation says the city's current leadership has moved away from that model.
From Parking To Parks
The city of Chicago has leased four parking garages to generate more than $122 million for improvements to the city's parks.
Friday Funny: Babysteps To Global Domination
New mapping has revealed that part of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border is actually intruding on Mexican land, usurping between 1 and 6 feet of Mexican soil for more than a mile. The U.S. insists it was a mistake, but Mexico wants its land back.
An Endangered Act
The bald eagle has made a heartening recovery from the brink of extinction. But hundreds of other species are now in grave danger due to slashed budgets, Bush administration policies, and political interference in science.
The New Orleans Conspiracy
NOLA human rights lawyer Bill Quigley outlines what he believes were thirty-three deliberate actions on the part of the federal government to undermine recovery in New Orleans.
New Noise Code For The City That Never Sleeps
New York City has approved tighter regulations on noise in the city, an effort officials hope will improve the quality of life for residents in the notoriously noisy city.
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
