Government / Politics
Town-Gown Showdown
The City of Santa Cruz and its University of California campus are struggling to come to terms with the university’s ambitious plans for growth and its impact on the city.
Growth Means More Seats In House For Texas
According to Census data and growth projections, Texas appears to be on track to gain between two and four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives when the seats are reallocated in 2010. The rise in population will also increase federal funding.
Labor Unions And Republican Conservationists Join Forces To Protect Wildlife Habitat
An unlikely group of Republicans and Democrats, the Union Sportsman's Alliance, will be formed on Jan. 23 to protect lands in the Rocky Mountain West for hunting and fishing that are largely threatened because of energy exploration.
Supreme Court Declines Hearing Of Eminent Domain Case
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a New York property owner's case against his city for its use of eminent domain to acquire his land for the development of a drugstore. The owner claimed that a drugstore was not a true 'public use'.
Escaping A Disaster Without A Car
Drawing on lessons from Hurricane Katrina, disaster experts and government officials are gathering in New Orleans to discuss how to develop emergency plans for those who can't or don't drive.
Kansas City May Foot Bill To Attract Pro Team
Despite a long-held promise of not spending any city money to attract a tenant to Kansas City's now-vacant sports arena, the city may be willing to pay millions to build a practice facility in an effort to woo a pro hockey or basketball team.
Austin Grapples With Downtown Height Limits
Developers in the city's booming downtown are pushing to change the rules originally enacted to preserve view corridors to the Texas State Capitol Dome.
The Planning Process' Built-In Problems
This editorial from the San Francisco Examiner discusses why the planning system is not public-friendly, and by reducing public hearing and reporting requirements, the process will be less intimidating to the public.
New Generation Of City Managers Needed
As current city management professionals inch toward retirement, a shortage of younger candidates may mean tough times ahead for professionally managed cities.
Homestead Preservation District Could Soften The Blow Of Gentrification
With its downtown booming, Austin, Texas is trying to help homeowners who are feeling the squeeze from rising property values -- by buying their land.
Proposing A Regional Transit Authority In Washington
In Washington's Puget Sound, a proposal has been made to create a regional transit authority to oversee the coordination, planning, and financing of all transit projects for more than 128 transportation agencies in four counties.
Maryland's Governor Elect To Revive Smart Growth Policies
Governor-elect Martin O'Malley wants to redirect the state down the path of smart growth charted by former Governor Parris Glendening.
Revitalized Downtown Struggles With 'Hangover' Effect
While many downtowns struggle to attract residents and visitors, Madison, Wisconsin has succeeded in creating a vibrant nightlife scene, so much so, that overcrowding and alcohol-related crime have become a serious problem.
Should Taxpayers Foot The Bill For Wildfires?
A debate over who should be responsible for the costs incurred by wildfires is raging between the Federal government and state and local officials.
Seized Farmland Returned To Whites Amid Zimbabwe Food Shortage
Food shortages and economic decline have forced Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to rescind his 2005 land reform decision to seize all farmland from white farmers. Land has already been returned to 19 white farmers, while more await lease approval.
Finding A Compromise On Property Rights Regulation
Though Washington State's property-rights initiative failed to pass in November, opponents and supports are trying to work together to address some of the concerns of land owners who feel the current regulations are too strict.
The Secretive Habits Of One City's Zoning Board
Voting sessions for the New Haven Board of Zoning Appeals are held at irregular times with little public notice, breeding accusations of an intentionally closed process.
Politics Allows Sensitive Lands To Receive Federal Flood Insurance
A Reagan-era "free market approach to conservation" that would deny federal flood insurance to sensitive lands is being undermined through the political process. Congress has granted two exceptions to the law for coastal areas in Georgia and Florida.
A Density Too High
A traditional neighborhood development planned near St. Petersburg, Florida, is having trouble getting approved because its proposed density is twice as high as the city wants to allow.
A Gas Tax That's Politically Possible?
Grist takes a look at political commentator Rick Gray's proposal for a gas tax scheme that Americans could stand.
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
