A tradition as old as the Planning Department itself: proposing reforms to the planning and development approvals process in the city of Los Angeles.

"With a brusing [sic] battle over high-density developments on the horizon, the Los Angeles City Council is looking to take steps toward amending its convoluted and often controversial planning process," reports Steven Sharp.
The proposed changes stem from a May report by the Los Angeles Department of City Planning (PDF) to the Los Angeles City Council. The report focuses on four categories of action: 1) a system for updating community plans, 2) batching general plan amendments, 3) changes to contracting with consultants that assist with the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports, and 4) a status update on the overhaul of the Planning Department's technology infrastructure.
Sharp reviews each of these issue sin more detail as the City Council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee prepared to review the recommendations earlier this week.
FULL STORY: City Explores Potential Reforms to Planning Process

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