Toronto, Canada's largest city, could learn a lot by looking at Chicago, writes Margaret Wente.
"If you haven't visited Chicago lately, I highly recommend it. The city is bursting with energy and drive. The public spaces gleam. The downtown is a feast of wonderful architecture from every decade. The shops and restaurants are thronged with happy tourists. Of the waterfront I will say nothing, because the comparison with Toronto, where I live, is too depressing.
Once upon a time, Chicago and Toronto were neck and neck in the great-city stakes. That was a long time ago. Today, Chicago is to Toronto what Toronto is to Winnipeg - nice place, but not in the same league.
In Chicago, public art is mandated for all new construction. The mayor is a big fan of architecture, and the new Millennium Park is a bold, creative - and city-led - triumph. You want green? He put a green roof on city hall and gave developers incentives to do the same. He thought the city airport was a blot on the waterfront, so he had it bulldozed before anyone could stop him.
Why do Chicagoans love Mayor Daley? Because he knows that obsessing about trash is not enough to make a city great. He understands that cities need to compete. Torontonians could, of course, choose not to compete. The price will be that the next generation will choose to move somewhere else."
FULL STORY: What's wrong with Toronto? Nothing a good mayor couldn't fix

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Test News Post 1
This is a summary

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
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