Government / Politics
Voters Show Slow-Growth Tendencies
Tuesday was a tough day at the polls for California developers. Slow-growth advocates won two-thirds of the local measures that appeared on special election ballots, as voters rejected a number of high-profile projects.
Is Eminent Domain Being Abused As A Hot Button Political Issue?
Mark Alan Hughes takes on politicians who plan to use legislation limiting the use of eminent domain as a means to mobilize voters. Hughes points out that Kelo didn’t really change anything about the use of eminent domain.
Is Sprawl Universal?
Witold Rybczynski reviews Robert Bruegmann's new book, Sprawl: A Compact History.
City Hires New Firm To Revise Downtown Plan By Duany
West Palm Beach City Commission selects new firm to revise the City's Downtown Master Plan, based on form driven code authored by Duany-Plater Zyberk in 1996, with new, guideline driven code.
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price
A new documentary, "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" examines the effect that governmental subsidies to Wal-Mart have on local communities.
Good Fences Make Good International Neighbors
A new immigration proposal in the House calls for an electronic fence to be built along the Mexico-U.S. border.
Congress Votes to Reverse Eminent Domain Decision
Bill that would reverse the June 2005 Supreme Court decision giving local governments unprecedented ability to seize and redevelop property receives bipartisan support.
The Ultimate Kelo Backlash: Ending Eminent Domain
The House passes a bill that would prevent private development of land seized through eminent domain. A similar measure is introduced in the Senate.
Florida Wetland Permits Debate Heats Up
Environmental groups are warring with Congressmen on making wetland permitting more 'accessible'.
China Considers Ending Urban Residency Permit System
Millions of rural Chinese have moved to the largest cities, seeking jobs, but without formal access or rights to services. Chinese officials are concerned that the unequal treatment of urban and rural residents may lead to social instability.
Federal City in NOLA proposed
A proposal for local military bases is added to the hurricane recovery package.
Planning for Post-Republican America
David W. Orr. believes that the Bush administration is about to self-destruct, and with it, its approach to science, environment, climate change and energy; it's time to start planning for what will replace it.
Recognizing Planning As A Leadership Position
Philadelphia's Mayor proposes to include the director of the city's planning commission in his cabinent.
Environmentalists Worried About Alito's Record
Environmentalists in D.C. have spent the last 24 hours digging through Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's extensive paper trail for clues as to how he might vote on environmental cases were he confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court justice.
Sierra Club, Homebuilders Unite To Beat Ballot Initiatives
While Sierra Club and Greenbelt Alliance battle developers in the East Bay, the scene is the opposite in the South Bay community of Cupertino, home to Apple Computer. Here, they hold hands opposing 3 restrictive land use measures.
Bush's Odd Decisions After Katrina Will Leave Deep Scars
After the flood waters have receeded, Odd decisions by the Bush administration reagarding the rebuilding effort will make Katrina hurt again, say Neil Peirce.
Budget Cuts Imperil 2010 Census
A $17 million cut in funding could imperil critical source of planning information.
Study Disputes Claim Of 'Bad Business Climate' In California
Governor Davis was recalled, in part, because of the "bad business climate" in California. Now a study from the reputable Public Policy Institute of California refutes the charge that businesses were leaving the state.
Preserving Open Space Vs. Green Building
A developer proposes to extend a voter-approved Urban Growth Boundary in Livermore, CA, using green building, specifically solar power, as an enticement to gain voter support for their initiative. Environmental organizations galvanize to oppose it.
Venice Of The East Loosing Its Lakes To Land Sharks
To the dismay of the residents of Udaipur, India, "land sharks" have been taking over the dry beds of the city's famous lakes and developing them.
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
