Government / Politics
NPR On Public Housing And The French Riots
Did public housing play a role in the recent French riots?
The Case For Subsidizing Car Ownership
To be a fully functioning citizen in this country today, a car is a virtual necessity; so the federal government should subsidize a set of wheels and the commute to work.
Future Of Rebuilding Gulf Coast May Include Wal-Mart
Once the enemy of urban planners for small towns, Wal-Mart has turned into a formidable presence for the rebuilding efforts along the Gulf Coast.
As Traffic Grows, LA's Resistance To Subways Melts
For years, California Rep. Henry Waxman has been an "immovable barrier" to plans to build a subway from downtown LA to the westside. Now that traffic is nearly unbearable, he's reconsidering his position.
The Trouble With Virginia's Growth Legislation
Leonard Gilroy sees two problems with Virginia's proposed growth legislation and explains why he thinks it would steer the state in the wrong direction.
Damming the World Bank
The World Bank recognizes the countless social and environmental problems caused by dams, but won't let them get in the way of building more and more dams.
Friday Funny: Dicks Street
Residents on a two-block stretch of West Hollywood, CA, try to convince the city to change the name of the unfortunately-named Dicks street.
ELF Strikes Again, Burning Maryland Townhouses
The environmental terrorist group, Earth Liberation Front, claims responsibility for four fires at a housing development site.
Putting A Final Price Tag On Rebuilding New Orleans'
While no one can agree on an exact price for rebuilding the infrastructure of the city, most experts say the bill will top $100 billion.
Blumenauer Offers Glimpse Into Federal Transportation Funding
Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon has championed smart transportation solutions as a member of the House Transporatation Commitee. In this interview, he explains the challenges to getting funds for many common-sense solutions.
New Orleans' Dispersed Black Residents Face Voting Barriers
Red tape and foot-dragging on the part of FEMA may prevent thousands of Black voters dispersed by Hurricane Katrina from voting in local elections.
City Looses Unusual 'Taking' Case
Thirty years after urban renewal effort, jury rules that a city's condemnation threat constitutes temporary taking.
McMansion Wars: Thoughts From The Front Line
Homeowner associations provide controls for which buyers are willing to pay more and relinquish freedoms.
Alleged Eco-Terrorist Compensated By FBI
Environmental activist and former San Gabriel Valley resident is paid $100,000 by the FBI after being mistakenly jailed in connection with the vandalizing and setting ablaze of SUVs in 2003.
FEMA to Evict Katrina Refugees from Hotels
Their homes destroyed and the available housing stock almost wiped out, 150,000 displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina may find themselves evicted from their government-subsidized hotel rooms in little more than two weeks, according to a new decision from
Concern About 'Ballot Box Planning' In The Bay Area
A mixed result on election day for extending the urban growth boundaries in four East Bay cities leaves developers with hope while environmentalists are worried about fending off future developer initiatives.
Op-Ed To Thwart Referendum Of Racetrack Conversion to TOD
The City of San Mateo, CA, unanimously approves the conversion of a functioning, 1930's era, 83-acre racetrack into a mixed-use TOD. Opponents petition to put the proposal on the ballot.
Louisiana Pushing Statewide Construction Standards
The proposed bill would set standards on how new homes are built.
New Virginia Governor Played To Suburbs In Win
Suburban voters in Virginia concerned with transportation and growth control may have swung the election to the Democrat Gov.-elect Timothy Kaine in the governor's race.
Slow Growth Forces Defeated by Unlikely Coalition
An editorial showing how diverse coalitions can defeat grassroots activists that seek, through political initiatives, to unreasonably restrict infill growth in "built-out" cities.
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
