Government / Politics

West 72nd Street

Learning About the City by Running for Office

When you are trying to get people's attention, a city feels very different.

June 2, 2021 - Michael Lewyn

Coronavirus and Lime

Return to Normal...For the Unvaccinated?

Americans are experiencing their first near-normal holiday weekend, though masks are still required for all traveling at airports and on planes, buses and trains. We take a look back and forward at where the U.S. may be heading in the pandemic.

June 1, 2021 - CNN

San Diego Trolley

San Diego High-Speed Rail Plan Counts on Future Density

Despite slowing population growth statewide, officials believe the region will "grow into" the new rail system if cities promote dense development around transit stations.

June 1, 2021 - San Diego Union-Tribune

Bonaventure Expressway

How Highway Removal Can Benefit Cities

Cities across the country are reevaluating the impacts of major highway on neighborhoods and looking for ways to revitalize and reconnect communities.

June 1, 2021 - The New York Times

 Person in a wheelchair entering an inbound Red Line train at Harvard Square

Federal Bill Proposes $10 Billion for Transit Accessibility

The program would fund improvements such as elevators, ramps, and accessible ticketing equipment to bring the nation's transit stations up to ADA standards.

June 1, 2021 - Smart Cities Dive

Harlem

Debt Piles Up for Low-Income Renters

As the end of federal and state eviction moratoriums looms, renters who fell behind on payments during the pandemic now face "staggering" amounts of debt.

June 1, 2021 - New York Times

Downtown Houston and Buffalo Bayou

New Park Opens as Part of Houston's Ambitious Bayou Greenways 2020 Plan

Bayou Greenways Park is part of a decade-long project building 172 miles of connected greenways around the city of Houston.

May 30, 2021 - Houston Chronicle

Basement Apartment

Improving Racial Equity via Emergency Rental Assistance

Five ways to ensure that rental assistance reaches communities of color with high levels of need.

May 30, 2021 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial view of Atlanta BeltLine greenway with multistory buildings one ither side

Georgia's Efforts to Reduce Carbon Emissions

The state is diversifying its energy sources to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, in line with federal climate goals.

May 30, 2021 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Suburban multi-family

How Federal Incentives Can Increase Access for Section 8 Recipients

Landlords are the focus of a proposed bill that would provide extra perks for accepting Housing Choice vouchers.

May 28, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Capitol Hill

Transportation Reauthorization Advances in Congress—Transit Advocates Aren't Happy

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted this week to advance the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021, Congress's five-year reauthorization of the federal surface transportation bill.

May 27, 2021 - Transportation for America

Social Distancing

Returning to the Office: Will Vaccinations Be Required?

A survey by Kaiser Health News of 15 of America's largest companies found that none are considering vaccine mandates, but most offer employee incentives. Mandates may be more of consideration after the FDA approves the vaccines.

May 27, 2021 - Kaiser Health News

Maryland Transit Administration

New Tool Demystifies Regulations Around Maryland's Purple Line

The tool aims to help stakeholders "cut through regulatory complexity" and ensure equitable access to the light rail line's economic benefits.

May 27, 2021 - Greater Greater Washington

Bromo Seltzer Tower Baltimore

Proposed Bill Could Fund Redevelopment of Baltimore's 'Highway to Nowhere'

The Reconnecting Communities Act would provide funding for retrofitting highway infrastructure and reconnecting neighborhoods cut off by road projects.

May 27, 2021 - Baltimore Magazine

Bridgeport Rail

Opinion: Transportation Funding Priorities Are Outdated

Investing in technology and promoting innovation in the transportation sector can further the Biden administration's goals of reducing carbon emissions and improving public transit.

May 26, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

City Hall Philadelphia

Philadelphia Accelerator Fund Will Finance Black and Brown-Led Affordable Housing

The fund seeks to level the playing field by making it easier for Black and brown developers to gain access to capital.

May 26, 2021 - WHYY

Mass Vaccination

Vaccination Disparities Between Urban and Rural America

The pandemic has largely been measured by case incidence, down significantly in recent weeks in most states. A new metric, the vaccination rate, may determine where the virus strikes next. The urban-rural divide is a major factor, says the CDC.

May 25, 2021 - CNBC

Bay Bridge Toll

Funding Biden's Infrastructure Plan: Should Users or Corporations Pay?

After determining the size and scope of President Biden's infrastructure package, the next biggest challenge is determining how to pay for it. The partisan divide is steep, but Roll Call exposes division within the Democrats' ranks.

May 25, 2021 - Roll Call

Alstom Train

The High Cost of Adapting Commuter Rail for the Post-COVID Future

U.S. commuter rail systems, primarily designed to bring workers to and from central business districts, must adapt to serve a broader population as the traditional workday changes.

May 25, 2021 - Governing

Red transmilenio bus stopped at station in Bogota

Looking to the Future as TransMilenio Turns 20

The world's most famous, and influential, bus rapid transit system, which served 2.4 million riders a day in Bogotá in the days before the pandemic, offers lessons in transit planning and management as it enters its third decade.

May 25, 2021 - Reorientations

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.