Government / Politics

The Politics Of Planning In Hong Kong

Government officials are finding themselves at odds with an ever more vocal public over major urban development proposals.

July 16, 2006 - HK Magazine

London's Mayor Targeting Gas Guzzling Vehicles

Mayor Ken Livingston is proposing raising the city's congestion charge for SUVs to £25, while providing discounts for low-emissions vehicles.

July 14, 2006 - BBC News

$1 Billion Housing Bond Headed For L.A. City Ballot

A $1-billion bond measure that would help fund about 1,000 new affordable housing units annually over the next decade and enable middle-income workers to become first-time homeowners is likely to appear on the Los Angeles ballot in November.

July 14, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Higher Taxes Could Encourage Sprawl

Proposed tax hikes in San Francisco could hurt the region's smart growth efforts by encouraging businesses to move out of the center city.

July 13, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Washington State Will Vote On Property Rights Initiative

Supporters and opponents of the controversial proposal are preparing for a major campaign in the fall.

July 13, 2006 - The Seattle Times

What Happens When A Company Town Scales Back Public Services?

The quaint lumber company town of Scotia, California, fears a merger with its slightly larger, but economically-depressed neighbor across the river.

July 12, 2006 - The New York Times

Planning for Good Health

Sacramento's MPO thinks it's time to re-establish the old link between public health and city planning. But is smart growth really healthier? And whose responsibility is it to build healthy cities anyways?

July 12, 2006 - The Next American City

Convention Center A Bad Investment For Taxpayer Dollars

Los Angeles' recent decision to provide over $300 million in public assistance for a new convention center hotel complex doesn't help the city or the taxpayer, says Joel Kotkin.

July 11, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

A Scathing Rebuke For LA's Building Department?

The Los Angeles City Controller issues a 235-page audit of the city's Department of Building and Safety. While the report appears to be highly critical, a close reading indicates most problems result from chronic understaffing.

July 11, 2006 - Los Angeles Business Journal

Can Connecticut Avoid Making "Sprawl" Mistakes?

Two leaders of the smart growth movement, former Maryland Gov. Perris Glendening and former New Jersey Gov. and EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, highlight some of the lessons learned from other states.

July 11, 2006 - The Hartford Courant

Court Sides With Neighbor Taking Land Without Payment

A case in New York has reasserted a centuries-old law allowing a user of someone else's land to acquire title without paying for it.

July 10, 2006 - The New York Times

Ridership Plan May Be Thwarting TOD Plans

Caltrain's ridership has increased since it began its express service, but several cities looking to encourage TOD development are calling for restored local service to all stations.

July 10, 2006 - San Francisco Examiner

Florida Skips Affordable Housing Requirements

Developers in Palm Beach County didn't even have to twist any arms to get the county zoning commission to drop its affordable housing requirements.

July 9, 2006 - South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Cleveland Properties Could Face Eminent Domain

As a developer sets his sights on redeveloping some of Cleveland's Cuyahoga Riverfront, the state of Ohio is considering the use of eminent domain to secure the land and ensure the economic development it promises.

July 7, 2006 - The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Push-Pull Commuter Trains OK'd For Now

A bill to ban push-pull commuter trains in California was amended to include an independent study after commuter rail operators and their advocates objected to the costs the ban would impose.

July 7, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

One Of The Last Company Towns In America Is For Sale

Residents of Scotia, CA, hope that their community can retain its unique after the sale.

July 7, 2006 - The New York Times

Flexcar Exec Discusses The End Of Portland Subsidy

Bill Scott, director of the Flexcar car-sharing program in Portland, discusses the city's decision to end its subsidies to the company and to charge Flexcar for all the parking revenue the program denies the city.

July 6, 2006 - Nate Berg

Miami's Preeminent Suburb Turns Ten

Meticulously planned down to the last cul-de-sac, Weston, Florida continues to be Miami's most sought after suburb.

July 6, 2006 - The Miami Herald

Do Community Benefits Agreements Corrupt The Planning Process?

Critics in New York City cite that community groups and city officials are often swayed to approve projects by unrelated freebies provided by the developer.

July 5, 2006 - The New York Times

'Boot Camp' Teaches City Officials About Ethics

Ethics specialists wearing "moral compasses" as necklaces spent two days taking elected officials from Florida, Texas, and Arizona through various exercises in ethical governance.

July 5, 2006 - The Christian Science Monitor

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.