Nate Berg reports on a Kenyan High Court decision that allows the government to proceed with "slum upgrading and road construction projects" in one of the largest informal settlements in the world, by tossing out ownership claims made by residents
Despite occupying land in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi for 150 years, the lack of formal land ownership recognition, long recognized as a key problem in efforts to improve conditions for the world's urban slum dwellers, is cited as the central reason that Kibera residents were unable to prevent the government from evicting them.
"The court ruled that stopping the projects would not be in the public interest, according to this article from The Star in Kenya," writes Berg. "It also upheld the government's right to use the land as it pleases, noting that the residents, including a large subset of ethnic Nubians, have shown no proof of land title or deeds. Unless something dramatic happens, the government's upgrading plans are likely to roll out in Kibera soon."
FULL STORY: Slum Evictions Move Ahead in Nairobi
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.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
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.
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