Government / Politics
Free-Transit On 'Bad Air Days" Popular, But Funds Exhausted
"Spare the Air" is a program operated by the Bay Area's air district to encourage use of public transit on 'bad air' days. They funded 3 "free transit" days to accompany the warnings. Ridership increased greatly but funding is exhausted too soon.
Dallas' Comprehensive Plan Victory
A tough critic begrudgingly congratulates the Dallas City Council for its courage in approving the city's new comprehensive plan, part of a two-year effort aided by Fregonese Calthorpe Associates.
Vancouver To Get New Planning Director
The city, which has gained attention for its downtown development strategies, is getting a new planning boss.
Transit Village Approved Despite School Board Opposition
Sheridan Stationside Village, a $500 million, 40-acre project with a train station as a central component, gained preliminary approval in Hollywood, Florida, despite opposition from the County's school board and nearby residents.
Trees Over Houses: A Critique Of Smart Growth
Citing high housing prices in cities with strong growth control policies, one author argues that the smart growth movement seems to place more value on open space than people and their preferred housing choices.
San Diego Reaches Compromise On Inclusionary Zoning
The city will amend its three-year-old ordinance to settle a lawsuit brought by the local the Building Industry Association.
Building Up, Not Out
Singapore and Vancouver are two examples of cities where high-rise residential development is the norm.
New Urbanist Plan Approved In Rural Florida Despite Opposition By Planners and Public
Pelham Square, a 200 home development proposed by creators of Celebration, faced opposition by County planners and residents due to its rural location and density.
Illinois' New Smart Growth Tax Breaks
The state will provide financial incentives to businesses who locate near transit and affordable housing.
Protecting Subway Cars From Bombs
Toronto is modifying its subway cars to improve safety in this age of terrorist bombings, while one expert says the change will only create an illusion of safety.
New Rail Line Will Link New England Cities With Airport
The planned $222.5 million transit hub will seamlessly link T.F. Green Airport with Providence and Boston by 2009.
The Political Power of Big Oil in California
Using their large purses and incredible political strength in the California legislature, lobbyists for the oil industry have succeeded in killing any legislation they have deemed a serious threat to profits.
Unique Open Space Sales Tax Measure Attempts To Be Renewed
A quarter cent sales tax measure, which has raised $200 million since 1990 and preserved 70,000 acres of open space, may be put before the voters of Santa Rosa, CA, in November for early re-authorization.
Sacramento Creates Infill Housing Council
The council will work with city officials and developers identify workable sites for infill housing as an alternative to sprawl.
Could Amtrak Soon Be Privatized?
Private investment in Amtrak is increasingly seen as part of the solution for the poorly performing national rail service.
Will Mega Cities Usher In A New Era Of City-States?
With major world cities growing in size and economic power, could the next step be independence?
Will Sprawl Fee Spread To The Bay Area?
The Bay Area's Air Quality District is awaiting the outcome of the building industry's litigation against the country's first regulation of "indirect sources" in California's heavily polluted Central Valley.
Sydney Considering Road Congestion Pricing
While a London-style congestion charge is unpopular with voters, experts agree that a congestion pricing scheme for major arterial roads is the only way to solve the city's traffic problems.
Are Oakland's Schools Prepared For Downtown Housing Boom?
With tens of thousands of housing units springing up downtown and nearby classrooms already at capacity, the local school district is figuring out how to meet the coming demand.
Interview With L.A.'s New Planning Chief
Gail Goldberg speaks about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as she tackles planning for the nation's second largest city.
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
