Government / Politics
Developers And City Battle Over Affordable Housing Rules
Upset developers forced to set aside 25% of their development as affordable housing are facing off with city officials in Los Angeles over its inclusionary housing policies.
Urban Areas Receiving Rural Aid
Billions of dollars in federal grants and loans intended for the development of rural areas have been given to areas The Washington Post has found to be far more urban than rural, including beach resorts and suburbs.
MTA Subject To Tax On TOD Property
In accordance with state laws, the transit agency in Houston will have to pay property taxes on land it purchased for transit-oriented developments. Because the land will be developed privately, the law says it is not a public use and is not exempt.
Hearing The Public
Utilizing citizen surveys to gauge public concerns and support for projects is an increasing trend in municipalities across the country. Some say this method is much more effective -- and more inclusive -- than traditional public hearings.
Opposition Growing To Public Subsidies For Retail Mega-Projects
Proposed state legislation in Arizona will punish cities that offer subsidies to retail projects. Kansas City's new mayor was elected on an anti-TIF platform. Increasingly, public financing for urban revitalization is coming under attack.
Legislative Limbo For Displaced Trailer Park Residents
A large loss of mobile home parks in Florida has legislators asking whether the state or the municipalities should take responsibility for the thousands of misplaced low-income residents.
Missouri Town Approves Form-Based Code
The town of Blue Springs, Missouri, has turned to a form-based code to help revitalize its downtown and improve predictability for residents and developers alike.
Should Gas Taxes Be Raised To Fund Public Transit?
While public transit trips have been increasing, funding the systems remains a chronic problem, illustrated by the woes facing the Chicago El. This editorial urges Congress to increase the gas tax to provide all transit systems more revenue.
Seattle's Workforce Grappling With Housing Shortage
The city is revisiting its affordable housing programs, which currently do little to help moderate-income residents who are increasingly priced out of homeownership.
Wind Turbine Ordinance Proves Controversial In New York Town
A small town in upstate New York struggles to craft an ordinance to limit wind energy turbines.
Making the Desert Bloom, But for How Long?
Mike Sabel takes an in-depth look at the future of Las Vegas, its enormous growth, and what happens when the water runs out.
Oregon Working On Amendments To Measure 37
State legislators are trying to reach agreement on how to work out the kinks from the controversial law.
Homeowners' Association Thwarts Efforts At Energy Conservation
An Arizona home owner's association fines a resident for installing a solar-powered heater arguing that the appearance of the device violates the subdivision's deed restrictions.
An English Plan In New York
One of London's top planners talks about the future of the European capital, as it prepares for a million new residents.
L.A.'s 'Persian Palaces' Spark Zoning Backlash
The construction of large, some say garish, homes built by immigrant families in several Southern California communities is prompting officials to tighten zoning restrictions.
Reining In Tax Breaks For Developers
In Kansas City, Missouri, voters just elected their former city auditor as their new mayor. One of the unlikely campaign issues: the use of tax increment financing for developers.
An Interview With Ken Livingstone: London's Planning Czar?
Praised by many for his bold actions to make London more livable and sustainable, the self-proclaimed practical socialist Ken Livingstone offers his thoughts on transit, housing and immigration policies for the world city.
Meeting The Affordable Housing Challenge
Inclusionary zoning and community land trusts are two innovative methods that government and non-profits are starting to use to create affordable housing, though these, like past efforts, have their shortcomings.
A 'Year of Decision' For Chicago's El System
For Chicago's El, big decisions must be made to modernize the nations' second largest transit system and alleviate it routine budget shortfalls.
Parking Deck Scars Downtown Atlanta Block
Despite being sued over its construction, a developer built a parking deck against code and severely limited the potential of the remaining downtown block it sits on.
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
