As an avowed urbanist, I would venture that, with thanks to Will Rogers, I never met a city I didn't like. I can usually find something captivating in the crookedest medieval alleys, most absurd strip malls, and most squat skylines. I've been to Paris, Berlin, Dallas, and Des Moines, and I've loved them all. Until Beijing.
Government / Politics
One Victory for the City in Billboard Battle
A federal court has knocked down a previous ruling that Los Angeles' billboard ban is unconstitutional.
Los Angeles Times
Oregon UGB Expanded
Bend, Oregon councilmembers took no more than five minutes to vote to expand the city's urban growth boundaries, adding nearly 9,000 acres of developable land to the city's map.
KOHD
For Amish, Building Code and Religion Don't Jibe
Eleven Amish families have sued their own town for religious discrimination in its building code.
Chicago Tribune
Obama Knows Jane Jacobs
Last summer in Toledo, former mayoral candidate Keith Wilkowski handed Barack Obama a book, saying it is the most important book about rebuilding cities. Obama responded, 'Is it Jane Jacobs?'
BeyondDC
More Signage, More Business
Cities like Alexandria, VA and Agoura Hills, CA have taken to relaxing sign restrictions for the sake of boosting local business.
USA Today
Long Term Planning and the Importance of Soil
Degradation of soils has brought down many human civilizations. Our current industrial agriculture practices threaten the future of human existence. A 50-year farm bill is needed to guide policy on a more sustainable path, according to this oped.
The New York Times
Planning Regulations Out the Window in U.K.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has decided that the need for new homes is greater than the need to protect the environment in Britain, and is preparing to sweep away planning regulations across the country that limit building in undeveloped areas.
The Times U.K.
27 Towns for Working Artists
Art Calendar magazine presents its list of towns, cities and districts offering incentives or other benefits for artists living there.
Art Calendar
A Second Federal Commission Pushes Fuel Tax Hike
Exactly a year after the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission released its report calling for a fuel tax hike, the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission calls for much of the same.
Takepart
Oregon To Introduce VMT Fee Legislation
Oregon was the first state to study replacing state gas taxes with a Vehicle Miles Traveled fee in 2007. Now Gov. Kulongoski is taking the next step - introducing legislation to replace the 24-cent gas tax with a VMT fee that applies GPS technology.
Corvallis Gazette Times
Without Funding, State Transportation Projects Stall
Thousands of transportation projects across the country are being temporarily halted or canceled completely due to lack of funding. More than 40 states have been forced to cut back on transportation projects.
The New York Times
Kunstler Predicts 2009
James Howard Kunstler predicts the Dow falling to 4000 by the end of the year, more dramatic swings in oil prices, and an overall contraction of services and the economy.
Straight.com
A Place For Sustainable Food in Obama Administration?
This column looks at President-elect Barack Obama's food politics and wonders just how sustainable his administration's food policies will be.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Bell Tolls for California Cities and Their Creative Borrowing Schemes
Cities in California have been finding creative ways to generate funding and financing in recent years. Now, it seems lenders are coming to cities to collect on loans and many are left scrambling to pay up.
Los Angeles Times
NYT Editorial And Column Push Gas Tax
A NYT editorial and NYT columnist Thomas Friedman both arrive at the same conclusion - some type of gas tax is essential for both the auto bailout and Obama's goal of greening the U.S. economy.
The New York Times
Wood Burning Ban Saves Lives
Five years ago, the Central Valley became the first area of California to ban indoor wood burning when an 'alert' was called by the air district; other air districts followed in 2008. This study, released in Nov. shows that "no burn" days save lives.
The Fresno Bee
A Glimpse at Incoming Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
This brief profile in Time offers a look at newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in his own words and in the words of others.
Time
Obama Plan: Stimulating The Economy Or Sprawl?
Obama has compared the size of the stimulus package he wants to the 1956 National Highway Act. If the states have their way, it may be just that -- a new highway bill with little left for transit.
Bloomberg
Travel and Cars – Fun with Numbers for 2008 -- Steven Polzin
Beijing's Grey Shade of Red -- Josh Stephens
A Semester in Review, New Year Resolutions, Building Blocks and Toy Cars -- Tamika Camille Gauvin
Sweet Spot Density for Livable Neighborhoods -- Diana DeRubertis
A few feet -- Michael Lewyn
- An Economist's Argument for Congestion Pricing
- Living at the Mall - Not Just a Figure of Speech
- Trans-Texas Corridor Plans Dropped
- TOD Q&A With John Renne and Jeff Wood
- Miami's Highway Shoe Mystery Remains Unsolved
- One Victory for the City in Billboard Battle
- Oregon UGB Expanded
- Canada on Verge of Wind Energy "Breakthrough"
- For Amish, Building Code and Religion Don't Jibe
- Obama Knows Jane Jacobs
ULI's "Changing Metropolitan America" Outlines the Critical Role Infrastructure Plays in Keeping America Competitive
Urban Land Institute
Jan 08, 2009
Jan. 25th: Reading/Book Signing of Planetizen's Book for Kids
Planetizen
Jan 07, 2009
How Can Your Community Support Small Businesses in Tough Economic Times?
International Economic Development Council
Jan 07, 2009
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)
Metro
Jan 06, 2009
New Partners for Smart Growth Conference Kicks Off 2009 in the Land of Enchantment
Local Government Commission
Jan 05, 2009
APA Technology Division Elections-Nominations Due Jan. 16th
Technology Division of the American Planning Association
Jan 05, 2009
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