Government / Politics

Inhofe: Global Warming is 'Mass Delusion'

Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-OK) blames the media for hyping coverage of climate change.

December 9, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

New York's Congestion Pricing Debate

Though a growing chorus of business and community groups is calling for congestion pricing in Manhattan to ease traffic, a comprehensive citywide plan may be the only way the idea can actually move forward.

December 8, 2006 - The Gotham Gazette

California Land Use Law Expert Passes Away

Daniel J. Curtin Jr., a former Walnut Creek city attorney who was known as the dean of California land use law, died this week at 73.

December 7, 2006 - East Bay Business Times

Blakely Chosen To Head New Orleans Recovery

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin has appointed as the city's new recovery czar Edward J. Blakely, the man who played an instrumental role in recovery planning after the 1989 San Francisco Bay Area earthquake and the 1991 Oakland fires.

December 6, 2006 - The Times Picayune

Supreme Court Considers Global Warming Rules Case

The long-awaited Supreme Court case, Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 05-1120, that will determine whether the EPA should regulate carbon dioxide as an air pollutant from motor vehicles was heard on Nov. 29.

December 1, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Voters, Ballots...Action!

In both Red and Blue states, voters cast their lot with getting things done during this year's midterm election. The Brookings Institution provides a rundown of all the ballot box results.

December 1, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Most Americans Oppose New Development

The latest results from an annual survey once again confirms that a large majority of citizens are unsupportive of more growth and development in their communities.

November 30, 2006 - Globe St.com

An Urban Agenda For An Urban Age

Bruce Katz, Director of the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute, highlights the need for set of new policies for managing the complexity of 21st century cities.

November 28, 2006 - The Brookings Institution

Will Leaders Heed Grassroots Election Message?

Voters in Michigan and elsewhere are increasingly supportive of public expenditures for transit and open space, but many public officials don't seem to be paying much attention to shifting taxpayer priorities.

November 28, 2006 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Using A Land Value Tax To Keep Speculation In Check

By taxing land more than buildings, cities can encourage valuable sites to be used productively, rather than banked by investors hoping for even higher prices.

November 27, 2006 - St. Paul Pioneer Press

Voters Elect Wind Energy Advocate To Congress

Soft-spoken mathematician and wind energy advocate Jerry McNerney defeated Rep. Richard W. Pombo, an opponent of the Endangered Species act.

November 23, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Memphis Weighs Annexation of 37,000

A final Memphis City Council approval this week may annex more than 37,000 residents into the city, as well as several million dollars a year in property taxes, and seven schools from the annexation areas.

November 23, 2006 - The Memphis Flyer

Gulf Coast Recovery A Public and Private Sector Failure

Sluggish government response and a reliance on market forces have failed to resolve the housing crisis faced by thousands of Gulf coast residents, argues a recent editorial.

November 21, 2006 - The New York Times

Scotland's Planning System Changes Leave Out Public

Broad changes to Scotland's planning systems were recently approved. A proposal to give communities a third party right of appeal did not pass, leaving many residents concerned that they will have little say in the planning and development of their communities.

November 20, 2006 - The Scotsman

First U.S.City To Ban Smoking - Belmont, CA

While other cities ponder various types of smoking bans, a small suburb on the San Francisco peninsula has gone 'all the way', banning the activity in all places except single-family detached residences.

November 18, 2006 - San Mateo Daily Journal

A Battle Over Growth In Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County residents, 1000 Friends of Florida and environmental activist Rosa Durando have filed paperwork with the State of Florida this week to challenge County land use amendment approvals, and gain standing to participate in negotiation.

November 18, 2006 - Palm Beach Post

Ohio's First Suburb's Consortium

The largest inner-ring suburb advocacy group in the country has an ambitious agenda for Ohio's new governor.

November 18, 2006 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Carbon Tax Comes To The U.S.

The City of Boulder, Colorado makes history by approving the nation's first carbon tax.

November 16, 2006 - Reuters via CNN Money.com

When City Planners Oppose Elected Officials

What happens when the professional planning staff advising an elected board disagrees with the conclusions of the elected board, and is required to submit a proposal that the planners opposed to a state regulatory agency for approval?

November 16, 2006 - Sun-Sentinel

Florida Approves Constitutional Amendment Limiting Eminent Domain

Sixty-nine percent of Florida's voters approved an amendment to the State's Constitution to limit government ability to take property for private development. How will this homeowner victory impact the revitalization efforts of cities?

November 15, 2006 - The St. Petersburg Times

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.