The White House Office of Urban Affairs is officially in action, but the creation of urban policy seems to have started on its own, according to this column form Neal Peirce.
The Office will play a role in devising urban policy at the federal level, but the ball was actually put into motion by the lack of action at the federal level for the past three decades.
"The process wasn't–and isn't–perfect. But in an odd way, you can credit Ronald Reagan. By declaring government "the problem," deauthorizing and/or defunding all the federal programs to aid cities and communities he could, Reagan created an urban policy vacuum. Neither George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton or George W. Bush did much to correct it. Increasingly, creative leaders in cities and metro regions realized they had to cope with their challenges, on their own, including innovative cross-border, metro-wide alliances."
FULL STORY: Spontaneous Metro Policy: Could This Be True?

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.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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