Government / Politics
EPA's New Fuel Efficiency Ratings May Reduce Vehicle Models
Auto manufacturers have been required to meet overall efficiency standards for their fleets. More realistic CAFE ratings may translate into fewer of the more popular but less fuel-efficient models on showroom floors next year.
World Trade Center Redevelopment to Have Residential Component
With a decisive win in his re-election, Mayor Bloomberg spoke to his priorities for his final term as chief of the the US's largest city in his second inaugural address on New Year's Day: Affordable housing and the World Trade Center.
Building Industry May Sue Air District Over Aggressive New Pollution Fee Rule
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District in December, 2005 approved the Indirect Source Rule, making it the first Air District in the US to regulate land uses, much to the ire of the building industry. Will they take the Air District to court?
Affordable Housing Controversy in New York City.
What is the appropriate level of subsidization that affordable housing developers should receive? The article also describes New York City's unique inclusionary housing benefits.
Solar Permitting Fees Plummet After Study Shows Wide Cost Discrepancies
The Global Warming & Energy Committee of the Sierra Club chapter in Silicon Valley decide to highlight the excessive permitting charges of some local cities... and results happen.
Detroit's Finest Landmarks Receive Controversial Super Bowl Cleanup
The City of Detroit's effort to put a better face on the downtown for Super Bowl Sunday has its share of critics, as most of the $12 million set aside for streetscape and building facade improvement has gone to locations that need it the least.
Boston's Big Dig Faces Another Cost Increase
Government officials say that the cost of Boston's yet to be completed $14.6 billion dollar megaproject could increase by as much as $75 million dollars, an increase that would be absorbed by Massachusetts taxpayers.
Britian To Track Every Car Trip
Using a network of thousands of CCTV cameras which will be able to read license plates, Britain will be first country to monitor every car journey on all motorways and main roads. Data will be stored for two years.
A Planning Commission Embraces Height And Density
Oakland's Planning Commission is delighted to approve two residential highrises as the city continues enjoying its downtown revival under Mayor Jerry Brown.
How Kyoto Protocol is Transforming The Energy Business World-wide
The Kyoto Protocol is transforming the energy business across the world -- some areas will profit while others miss out.
The New Sin City Chamber of Commerce
Feeling ignored by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the region's adult industry forms its own
Greuel: Fixing Transportation In LA
Councilmember Wendy Greuel says that getting L.A. moving requires doing small fixes now and planning for big projects in the future.
Developers To Pay For Air Pollution Caused By Sprawl
Air pollution control meant looking at tailpipes and smokestacks. Not anymore. San Joaquin Valley is first in nation to take into account air pollution created by urban sprawl.
New Eminent Domain Ballot Measures In California
Voter initiatives have been filed that address the issues brought up in Kelo V. City Of New London.
EPA Considers Easing Clean Air Act
To reduce its "regulatory burden" the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers exempting some companies from reporting small releases of toxic pollutants.
Federal Role Needed in Rebuilding America's Infrastructure
Felix G. Rohatyn and Warren Rudman say opponents of "big government" must realize that private enterprise has always been made possible by federal investments in physical infrastructure, and that this federal role needs to be reconceived and refined.
Is America too Broke to Rebuild New Orleans?
Despite promises made by President Bush to rebuild the City of New Orleans, reluctance on the part of the federal government to invest in rebuilding the levees and other reconstruction efforts is essentially a "death warrant" for the city.
Biggest-ever Ecoterrorism Bust
Six people from the Earth Liberation Front are arrested for arson. Officials think this is the group that burned the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington.
L.A. Mayor's Vision For The City
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa outlines his ideal future for the city -- including better public transit and more affordable housing.
Is The L.A. Times Ignoring Eminent Domain Issues?
Matt Welch, a media columnist for Reason magazine, charges that the LA Times "consistently failed to cover the property-seizing excesses of the school district's historic building boom."
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
