Government / Politics
New US Embassy In Baghdad Looks Like Suburban Sprawl
LA Times architectural critic Christopher Hawthorne examines the depressing-looking new and massive 104-acre U.S. embassy compound being constructed in Iraq within the 'Green Zone'.
Chicago's Green Plans Falling Short
Despite big plans to make the city a national example for environmental friendliness, some say Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's measures have failed to produce the intended results.
Outsourcing Local Government?
Sandy Springs, Georgia, with 80,000 residents, has apparently successfully outsourced all government functions, except for police and fire services.
What Toronto Could Learn From Chicago
Margaret Wente lists Chicago's strengths and criticizes Toronto's mayor for the city's problems.
'Flawed' Proposal May Be Last Chance
A long-planned transit tunnel connecting the greater Washington D.C. region to Dulles International Airport is coming up for a vote, but officials say the only way to keep the plan alive is to approve what is a seriously flawed proposal.
Panhandling Becomes A Crime In Minneapolis
The Minneapolis City Council has approved a measure to crack down on panhandling.
Multiple-Choice Property Tax
In what may be a first for the U.S., the state of Florida is proposing a plan to offer property owners a choice between two ways of calculating property taxes.
Presidential Candidate Stumps For Light Rail
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson promised to redirect funding from roads to mass transit if he's elected President.
A Closer Look At Muni's Meltdown
San Francisco's largest transit agency is reviled by many residents because of its service delays and poor management.
Why Bush's New Direction On Global Warming Won't Work
The Kyoto Protocol is a "mess" but a free market approach could help fix its weaknesses.
Brazil's Controversial Amazon Dam Project
Critics warn $11 billion hydroelectric dam project could cause environmental damage while supporters point to economic and infrastructure benefits.
Court Grants Local Power Over Big Box Locations
A California State Supreme Court ruling has given cities and counties broad authority of what type of retail developments can move into their municipalities, and where they can be located. Under the ruling, cities will be able to ban big box stores.
Low-Income Tenants In D.C. Agree To Relocate
Plans to redevelop several ailing housing projects near the U.S. Capitol into mixed-income communities are moving forward after most tenants agree to relocate voluntarily.
Smart Growth Leaders Still Living Low Density American Dream
While encouraging the city's residents to embrace higher densities and public transit, many of Los Angeles's smart growth advocates live in single family homes and commute long distances in cars.
New York Congestion Pricing Plan Gains State And Federal Support
The federal and the state government have announced their support for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan for Manhattan, indicating that the city would most likely receive federal grants to fund the system.
Land Use Policy Paralysis On California Coast
Voters in Monterey County, California, have rejected environmentalists' general plan initiative, and appear to have tossed aside a county-written plan as well. The June 5 election was the latest conflict in the seven-year general plan process.
California Needs To Follow Sacramento's Regional Planning Model
A recent editorial argues that the successful model of regional planning in the Sacramento region known as the "Blueprint" provides an alternative to sprawl that needs to be applied statewide, and identifies current state legislation to do just that.
Pennsylvania Struggles With Turnpike Plans
As of late, how to best operate and maintain Pennsylvania's Turnpike has become a hot issue among the state's politicians. Will they ever agree on a solution?
Poor Planning, National Guard Commitments, Leave New Orleans Vulnerable
Poor federal emergency planning; still-shattered public infrastructure; an over-commitment of National Guard equipment in Iraq; and an inadequately repaired levee system are all leaving New Orleans dangerously vulnerable to new storms.
Miami's Affordable Housing Crisis
Despite enjoying an unprecedented boom in residential construction, The City of Miami is failing to provide adequate affordable housing units to its most needy citizens.
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
