Government / Politics
Utah Hopes to Send Message With Eminent Domain Bills
Utah Governor Gary Herbert has approved two eminent domain bills that seek to give the state rights to seize property now owned by the federal government. Officials concede the fight will be hard to win.
Seeking a Green Legacy in South Korea
South Korean government officials are increasingly focusing on green projects to improve their cities' sustainability -- and create legacies for politicians.
Chicago Mayor Blasts Change to Teacher Residency Rule
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley says recently approved legislation that allows city school teachers to live outside Chicago borders will help to decimate the city's middle class.
Feds Put Faith in L.A. Transit Plan
Federal officials are looking at an unlikely city as a model for urban public transit: Los Angeles.
Pittsburgh Bike Parking Requirement Ushers Age of Bicycle
The City of Pittsburgh recently approved a new ordinance requiring bike parking in new developments. Cyclists say the move is a ceremonial acceptance of bicycles as a form of transportation in the city.
The Design Challenge of Cities
With increasing urbanization spreading throughout global cities, Justin McGuirk argues that city design is the biggest challenge acing designers.
Travel for Planners Not A "Junket"
Cities often get criticized for sending staff to check out other cities, but Tim Campbell says it's necessary for planners to see what other cities are doing.
Recession, Rhetoric Threatening Public Services
Les Leopold warns that the recession and budget shortfalls at the state and local level are combining with intense "anti-government" rhetoric to justify the gutting and privatizing of public services.
Underpass Finds New Life As Park
The land underneath a Toronto highway overpass will be converted into a neighborhood park. Officials hope it will spark the revival of one of the city's underused waterfront neighborhoods.
Traffic Survey Paints Picture of New York City Congestion
Through a survey of New York City taxis with GPS tracking devices, the city has created a database of speeds and routes that gives them a clear picture of the state of traffic in the city.
Land Use Success and Failure in Two Florida Towns
This post from NRDC's Kaid benfield compares the two Florida cities of Lehigh Acres and Venice, where land use decisions created one city doomed to fail and another that's on a fast rise.
Detroit Mayor Makes Big Plans in State of City Speech
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing recently delivered his first "state of the city" speech since taking office, and included a broad list of proposals that could bring about a widespread revisioning of the struggling city.
Portland's New Complex Aims At Curing Homelessness
The city of Portland is moving ahead with a $47 million shelter and services project known as the Resource Access Center. It's the largest efforts underway to solve the city's notorious homelessness problem.
Florida's Fast Train Connects to Slow Buses
The NYT examines problems with Florida's high speed rail line that received $1.25 billion in HSR stimulus funds. In addition to weak transit connections at both ends, the 84-mile route has five stops, increasing the total trip time.
Tech Tools Have Revolutionary Potential for Cities
Governing's Stephen Goldsmith looks at the trend of smart phone applications related to city governance and civic improvement. He sees huge potential in these early stages of a trend that's likely to experience exponential growth.
Cities Banning Digital Billboards
Digital billboards with flashing and changing images are being outlawed in cities across the country.
Experts Weigh in on Question of Bike-Car Equality
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently wrote on his blog that bicyclists would no longer be overlooked by federal transportation policy. National Journal asks its panel of experts whether cars and bikes should be treated equally.
NYC Transportation Head Offers Advice to LA
This video from Streetfilms shows excerpts from a recent speech in Los Angeles by New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, who had some advice for the traffic-plagued California city.
Challenges Face Ambitious New Metro Officials in Houston
When five new board members will join the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority next month, they'll inherit a host of systemic problems and one of the toughest economic climates in decades.
Hosting Olympics, But At What Cost?
The Olympics can be a huge boon for cities -- in terms of international attention, physical legacies and infrastructural development. But they can also be a huge risk. This piece from Finance and Development looks at the pros and cons.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
