Government / Politics
Omaha's Design Board Throws a Wrench in Revitalization
The new urban design review board once again deems that a publicly backed project doesn't do enough to encourage activity on the street and sends the Downtown Improvement District back to the drawing board.
Should Planners Always Strive for Efficiency?
The backlash against red-light cameras provide a cautionary tale for those who want to cut costs and raise revenue through technology.
Fighting Against Cheap Parking
This post from GOOD looks at a bill from California state senator Alan Lowenthal that seeks to incentivize cities into reforming their parking rules.
Poverty Heads to the Suburbs
The migration of America's low income population is spreading to the suburbs. But the suburbs aren't ready to handle the influx, according to this piece.
Smart Growth On The Hill
HUD, DOT and EPA have pulled together under the Obama administration's direction to create sustainable communities, and Sen. Chris Dodd is trying to make it official with a new office under HUD. But can smart growth policies survive the politics?
Are Cities Being Sold off to the "Shadow Elite"?
Facing enormous budget shortfalls created in part by the recession, mayors and governors are increasingly turning to the sale of public assets - often to the very Wall Street businesses that helped fuel the crash, writes Donald Cohen.
Detroit's $20 Million Demolition Plan
The city of Detroit has enough money to tear down between one-quarter and one-third of the city's 10,000 abandoned houses.
Sidewalks Emerge in Jordan's Capital
Seemingly simple, the Jordanian city of Amman has finally managed to build walkable sidewalks.
Opening Up City Data
Next American City columnist Christian Madera looks at new efforts to get local government to make municipal data available and accessible, and some of the ways reluctant cities can be convinced to open up.
Challenges for the Emerging Mega-City of Lagos
This analysis from Nigeria's Daily Independent looks at the challenges facing Lagos, the country's biggest city, as it grows into a global mega-city.
EPA Plots Plan to Restore Great Lakes
With heavily polluted waters and eroding shorelines, the Great Lakes are undergoing a rapid deterioration in health. The Environmental Protection Agency has unveiled a 5-year plan to restore the lakes.
The Short-Term Problem of the Stimulus Package
The short-term focus of the first year's worth of stimulus package spending could be creating long-term problem's for America's already troubled infrastructure, according to this review from the Chicago Tribune's Blair Kamin.
Gunfire Detection System Aids Plane Crash Investigation
A gunfire detection tool used by the city of Palo Alto will be used in the investigation into a plane crash that killed three local auto executives.
Chapter 9 Cities on the Rise
The economic recession is pushing many municipalities towards declaring bankruptcy.
Metro Areas Organizing Themselves Towards Regional Goals
Metropolitan officials in the Sun Corridor of Arizona are increasingly working together to form a self-organized super-region, according to this analysis.
New Zoning for Design Stirs Controversy
In Anchorage, Alaska, planners are rolling out a substantial new version of their zoning code, which includes some design requirements like no blank walls. Business owners are up in arms over the proposed changes.
Metros Miss Out on Stimulus Funding
Metropolitan region's make up a major part of the U.S. in terms of population and economic activity. Accordingly, the Brookings Institution was surprised to see how little of the government's first year stimulus package went to those areas.
Google and the Company Town
Google and the city of Mountain View, California have a unique relationship. The city is home to the search giant's headquarters, but the company is much more than a quiet tenant, according to this article.
The Tent City Next Door to the Olympics
This post from Next American City looks at Vancouver's homelessness problem and the public outreach effort underway to bring attention and solutions to the problem.
Friday Bummer: Dog City to Face Mass Executions
A small city outside of Bogota, Colombia, has been overrun by stray dogs. With more than 30,000 strays on the streets, the city's mayor is calling for them to be killed.
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
