Government / Politics

Acting New Jersey Governor Suspends Fast-Track Permits

Conservationists applauded the measure, but some business groups are worried that it may stop growth.

July 21, 2005 - Smart Growth Online

Many States Rushing To Blunt Eminent Domain Ruling

Lawmakers in several states are trying to limit the impact of the Supreme Court's eminent domain ruling

July 20, 2005 - The Star-Ledger

Age Of The Megalopolis

To survive in the 21st century, major metro areas work together to plan their transportation and economic strategies.

July 19, 2005 - Stateline

China's Global Search For Oil

Will China's thirst for oil lead to a possible showdown with the United States?

July 18, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

Planning Board Threatened With Jail

A judge orders the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission to approve 254 townhouses or face jail.

July 11, 2005 - The Baltimore Sun

L.A. Developer Settles Lawsuit

KB Home agrees to pay a $3.2 million settlement for poor lending practices.

July 9, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

Fort Lauderdale's Sidewalk Mistake

Fort Lauderdale accidentally built a sidewalk on private property, and has been leasing the property every since.

July 8, 2005 - Sun-Sentinel

How To Value Community In The Wake Of Kelo Vs. New London

An editor outlines a plan that would allow for concessions to be made to long-standing members of the community in case of government displacement.

July 8, 2005 - AlterNet

Booming Housing Market a Sign of Fragile Economy

Fear -- and artificially low interest rates -- may be propping up the global economy.

July 7, 2005 - Tom Paine - Common Sense

U.S. City Proves Living Green Makes Economic Sense

The city known as "America's environmental laboratory" is showing that environment-friendly policies make good economic sense.

July 5, 2005 - The New York Times

Is Kelo Good For Urban Planning?

The recent ruling by the Supreme Court to uphold the use of eminent domain was seen as an endorsement of professional planning. Bit this is not true, writes Sam Staley in this week's Op-Ed.

July 5, 2005 - Planetizen

Baghdad's Mayor Threatens to Quit Over State of City

Failure of Iraqi government and U.S. forces to repair war-damaged urban infrastructure makes effort to govern the capital city "useless".

July 4, 2005 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Democrats, Republicans Unite Against Eminent Domain Decision

Cut Federal funding to cities that use eminent domain for economic development projects not deemed to be in the public interest, opponents say.

July 4, 2005 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Never Mind The Kelo, Here's Scott Bullock

The attorney who argued the landmark eminent domain case considers the Supreme Court's decision.

July 2, 2005 - Reason Online

Lack of Political Leadership on Urban Issues Harms U.S. Cities

Compared to the approach taken in other countries such as England, America's leaders have apparently chosen to not to care about -- or plan for -- livable cities, writes Neal Peirce.

July 1, 2005 - The Seattle Times

The Most Ambitious US Solar-Energy Initiative Ever Proposed

California Governor Schwarzenegger's ambitious solar-roof plan could get sidelined by partisan squabbling.

June 30, 2005 - The Guardian Unlimited

Tax Policies To Help Working Families In Cities

A new paper examine how existing federal tax laws affect households in cities, and how to improve economic opportunities and incentives.

June 29, 2005 - The Brookings Institution

Comparing Livability In Baghdad and Houston

In an effort to put the best light on the situation in Iraq, Administration officials are making dubious comparisons to the state of America's cities.

June 29, 2005 - Institute of Urban Studies

Simulation Shows Turmoil Likely from Oil Shocks

This past week two former CIA directors and policy makers participated in a scenario in which the chaotic geopolitics of oil lead to $150 a barrel prices and a crippled economy.

June 28, 2005 - Knight Ridder Newspapers

One Man's Castle Is Another Man's Mall

The Christian Science Monitor offers its opinion on the Supreme Court's recent ruling on eminent domain.

June 27, 2005 - 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.