Government / Politics
Miami's Public Housing Debacle
With a federal takeover of the city's housing authority underway, the fallout from the investigation into the agency's misdealings is expected to call for dramatic changes in government policy towards low-income housing.
Does The Trans-Texas Corridor Have A Future?
Plans for the construction of several mega-highway and rail corridors across Texas are facing growing opposition.
China May Establish Private Property Rights
A new law facing the National People's Congress of China looks to put in place massive land reform in the country that would essentially establish the right to private property. This legislation has been pushed forward by the central government.
In Oregon, Both Owls and Public Libraries Are Endangered
With the end of a federal subsidy intended to soften the blow to rural forest economies, an entire public library system in Oregon is being shut down.
Watchdog Group Rips New Orleans Plan
The independent Bureau of Governmental Research finds the Unified New Orleans Plan "fails to deliver a cohesive, workable road map for recovery."
A Proposal: Selling The Idea Of Congestion Pricing To Cities
A soon-to-be released journal article explains how congestion pricing might work in the US: Revenue would be distributed to cities through which the freeways pass.
New Orleans Files $77 Billion Claim Against Army Corps Of Engineers
As the deadline to file claims came to a close, the city of New Orleans was among thousands to submit a claim indicating they would sue the Army Corps of Engineers for damage caused by levee breaches. The city's claim totals more than $77 billion.
London's Bold Plan For Greenhouse Gas Reductions Unveiled
Mayor Livingstone set forth a bold, detailed plan to reduce London's greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2025. However, many sectors are outside the city's scope, such as an increase aviation emissions, and a nationwide price on the carbon pollution.
Sierra Club Backs Ballot Box Planning Measure In Florida
Responding to concerns over the state's rapid growth, the environmental group has pledged to support a proposed measure that would allow voters to decide questions regarding planning and growth.
Selling Roads To The Highest Bidder Won't Solve Transportation Problems
While leasing public roads to private companies for large cash payments might be attractive for some public officials, it doesn't help solve the larger issues facing the country's transportation system.
Little Planning And Few Government Services In Cairo
In Cairo, many argue that the government provides few services and does little to better the lives of its 15 million people. The city's many informal communities were formed without any urban planning.
Ineffective Local Planning Efforts Push County To Seek Greater Control
Sarasota County, Florida, is looking to gain greater control over planning from cities in an upcoming vote. This move is in response to a recent report that outlines how city planning in the county has encouraged sprawl over the last 50 years.
Chávez Denies Elimination Of Private Property In Venezuela
Amid concerns over his plans to create a modern socialist republic, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has denied that he has plans to phase out the concept of private property in the country.
Sometimes People Don't Mind Paying More
Sewer and water ratepayers in San Diego recognize that a rate hike is the only way to pay for replacing aging infrastructure.
Bond Money To Pour Into California Freeway Widening
The all-powerful California Transportation Commission is besieged by attacks from both Northern and Southern California leaders who argue for a greater share of the landmark $20 billion transportation bond fund approved by voters last November.
FEMA's Toxic Trailers?
The Nation magazine investigates whether 100,000 FEMA-purchased trailers are releasing toxic fumes from materials used in their construction, and made worse by low quality standards as the trailers were constructed at breakneck speeds.
Land Owners Worry About Redistribution In Bolivia
A report from NPR looks at a plan to redistribute land in Bolivia. Land owners are wary of of the plan, despite the government's promise that it would primarily redistribute its own land holdings, and then that of prospectors and investors.
Canadian Gov't Witholds $70 Million From Homeless
An internal government report questions why the Canadian federal government held back more than $70 million dollars from homelessness programs.
Critics Sound Off On 'Ineffective' So Cal Association Of Governments
As cities and counties contribute millions to its budget, the Southern California Association of Governments continues to take flak from planners and local officials who deplore its unrealistic planning efforts and inaccurate growth projections.
City Vote Urges Neighbor To Zone Urban Farm
A neighboring city has tendered its support of a plan to set aside 5 acres of a planned housing development in Mountain View, California, as an educational urban farm space. Some officials see the vote of support as outsider meddling.
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
