Government / Politics
Bush Administration Puts Money Behind Implementing Congestion Pricing
In one of the clearest directives to states yet, an FHWA official stated publicly that they want to award money to highway departments to actually implement -- not simply study -- congestion pricing.
Creating Stronger Borders -- In Wisconsin
Legislation up for consideration in Wisconsin looks to make it easier for towns in the state to legally change their municipal status to avoid being annexed. The bill hopes to reduce the amount of cross-town border disputes incited by annexations.
Majority In Ohio Want Eminent Domain Law Struck
A recent survey reveals that more than two-thirds of Ohio residents are opposed to the state's eminent domain law, and would be in favor of throwing it out.
Shanghai Tells Transit Officials To Get On The Bus
The city's government is requiring that high-ranking officials use transit at least one day a month.
Is Breaking Up New Orleans The Only Way To Save It?
Citing that the most successful rebuilding efforts have happened without central government coordination, a recent column argues that the city's neighborhoods should secede and seize control of rebuilding efforts themselves.
Friday Funny: Zoning Trumps Al Gore's 'Green' Plans
The former Vice President's application to install solar panels on his home was denied by the zoning board of this wealthy Nashville enclave.
Texas Program Helps Motorists 'Trade Up' To Lower Pollution
With several of the state's metro areas failing federal clear air standards, Texas lawmakers are dramatically increasing funding to a program that help drivers of older cars buy new, less polluting vehicles.
A Showdown Over Historic Preservation In Canada
Newly announced plans by the government to create a Canadian National Trust dismays leaders of the Canadian Heritage Foundation, who wonder if they are being replaced over political differences.
Earth To Planners: Americans Want Roads, Not Transit
The current strategy of encouraging traffic congestion and focusing on transit doesn't align with the majority of American's preferences. Instead of continuing to follow failed policy, planners should start using new solutions to increase capacity.
Rezoning L.A.'s Industrial Bones
Developers want to transform downtown L.A.'s warehouses, factories, and grimy commercial buildings to accommodate live-work spaces. Planners and activists want to stay the course -- they say needed jobs are at stake.
Canada To Penalize SUVs, Reward Hybrids
Canadians shopping for a new car will get a rebate for purchasing hybrids, and a penalty for purchasing a gas-guzzler.
Superstar Cities
Big cities pack a punch equal to some national economies. The fraction of high-income families in superstar cities is 43 percent higher than in average cities, and those cities' share of poor families is 11 percent lower.
China Passes Landmark Property Rights Law
China grants private individuals to own property. Experts say law recognizes power of growing middle class but does not add protections for farmers.
Does America Need A New Robert Moses?
With urban areas across the nation facing increasing challenges, some are wondering if the old style of leadership displayed by New York City's legendary public official is required to actually get things done.
Canada: Urban Country, Rural Governance
The most recent Canadian Census shows that Canada is rapidly urbanizing. Unfortunately, writes Jeffrey Simpson, its systems of government and economic development strategies are stuck in a rural past.
Does Starbucks Belong In The Forbidden City?
One Chinese lawmaker is claiming the coffee chain's outpost in Beijing's Imperial Palace Complex, a venerable symbol of American capitalism, is tainting the national culture that the site represents.
Voters May Get Power Over Comprehensive Plans
The proposed Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment calls for citizens to vote directly on whether to make changes in local comprehensive plans, instead of elected officials advised by professional and citizen planners.
The Great Global Warming Swindle Video?
Is the growing business behind the Global Warming "problem" perpetuating a myth that is becoming politically incorrect to question?
Montana Moving To Limit Eminent Domain
The state legislature is moving to place explicit limits on local government's power to take private land in response to the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court's Kelo ruling.
UNOP Plan Works For New Orleans
Responding to recent criticism, Robert B. Olshansky and Lewis D. Hopkins, professors of urban and regional planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, argue that the United New Orleans Plan gets a lot more things right than wrong.
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
