Government / Politics

Chicago

Green New Deal Needs to Push for Better Transit Policies

The plan points to transit’s role in a cleaner and more sustainable future, but comprehensive changes in transportation policy are also needed.

April 11, 2019 - Data for Progress

Amsterdam Wedding

Rather Than Banning Cars, Amsterdam Reduces On-Street Parking

Amsterdam will pursue the Oslo model of targeting parking spots, rather than driving bans, to make for a walk-and-bike friendly city. On-street parking spaces will gradually be replaced, starting July 1, with bike lanes, sidewalks, and trees.

April 11, 2019 - CityLab

Toronto Lyrics

Provincial Takeover of Subway Planning in Toronto Underway

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new plan for subway expansion in Toronto today.

April 10, 2019 - Toronto Star

San Francisco

Bay Area Transportation Planners Breathing Easier After Court Ruling

A total of $4.5 billion in road and transit projects was at stake in a state taxpayer group's lawsuit against a regional ballot measure approved by voters in June 2018.

April 10, 2019 - The Press Democrat

Senator and Democratic Candidate for President

Kamala Harris Reintroduces 'Rent Relief Act'

The Rent Relief Act would provide a refundable tax credit for renters who pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

April 9, 2019 - Roll Call

Skid Row

Preventing Homelessness Through Data Analysis

Predictive analytics can help identify vulnerable people early and deliver necessary services before they descend into homelessness.

April 9, 2019 - Dissent

Expo Line

Report: Modest Congestion Charge Would Produce Dramatic Results in Los Angeles

Applying a cordon toll as low as $4 in Los Angeles would result in a 20% reduction in traffic congestion and modest increases in transit ridership, walking, and biking, according to a new study from the Southern California Association of Governments.

April 9, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Phoenix

Walking in Phoenix Can Mean Taking Your Life in Your Hands

Phoenix's roads are the most dangerous in the state for pedestrians, but the city is taking little action to make them safer.

April 8, 2019 - AZ Central

Austin Race map

Esri App Makes Data Visualization Easy

A wealth of pre-authored policy maps lets users access data to explore public policy issues.

April 8, 2019 - ArcWatch (Esri)

2020 Presidential Campaign

Elizabeth Warren Makes Housing a Cornerstone of Presidential Bid

Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has promised to make housing affordability the top priority of a potential administration.

April 8, 2019 - Reno Gazette Journal

Oakland Hills California

Potholes Don’t Discriminate, but a Plan to Fix Oakland Streets Reveals Stark Divides in the City

The city has a plan to tackle its pothole problem that it says is equitable. But, some residents say it isn’t fair.

April 8, 2019 - San Francisco Chronicle

Peachtree Street Atlanta

Turning an Atlanta Roadway Into a Shared Street

Atlanta might transform Peachtree Street into a very different kind of public space.

April 8, 2019 - What's Next ATL (Atlanta Regional Commission)

Traffic

Will Manhattan's "Central Business District Tolling" Clear the Way for More Congestion Pricing?

Cordon pricing applied to Manhattan's Central Business District, approved by the state legislature on March 31 and signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on April 1, has the ability to be a game changer for other cities considering similar programs.

April 8, 2019 - The New York Times

Chicago Mayor

Mayoral Election Likely to Have Consequences for Chicago Mega-Development

The most recent citywide election in Chicago was considered a referendum on the old way of operating the city. The $6 billion Lincoln Yards project, on the brink of approval, could be included in that referendum.

April 5, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Boulder Colorado

One City Was Skeptical Enough About Opportunity Zones to Declare a Development Moratorium

Boulder declared a moratorium on development in a federally designated Opportunity Zone back in December. Here's how the decision has played out so far.

April 5, 2019 - Next City

Cleveland i-80

Gas Tax Increase Approved in Ohio

On July 1, motorists in Ohio will pay an additional 10.5 cents per gallon to fill up, while truckers will pay 19 cents per gallon more on diesel fuel sales. Accompanying the tax hikes are two controversial provisions that DeWine chose not to veto.

April 4, 2019 - The Columbus Dispatch

Denver TOD

Voters Could Decide if Denver Gets a New Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

Denver is considering a new city department in response to concerns expressed by bike and pedestrian advocates about the implementation of long-term plans.

April 4, 2019 - The Denver Post

SEPTA Token

Fare Evasion 'Quietly' Decriminalized in Philadelphia

More social justice advocates in more cities are winning the argument that transit fare evasion punishments don't fit the crime.

April 3, 2019 - PlanPhilly

The Seat of Government

Many of the Policies Proposed in Green New Deal Already in Place in States

The framework proposed by the authors of the Green New Deal may be too much for Congress, but many of these polices are already in place at the state level.

April 3, 2019 - Environmental Law at Harvard

mayor of South Bend

The First Mayor to Become President?

Pete Buttigieg, in his eighth and final year as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, a formerly shrinking Rust Belt city, is on a roll in his bid to capture the Democratic nomination to challenge President Trump next year. The Indy Star looks at his record.

April 3, 2019 - The Indianapolis Star

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.