Government / Politics
Pumping California Dry
Water shortages and environmentally-based restrictions are leaving Central California's agricultural lands dry. As a result, farmers are increasingly tapping into groundwater sources. Many are calling on the state to monitor the use of its aquifers.
Water Wars: To Be or Not To Be?
Water is predicted by many to be the reason for future conflicts. But are water wars really in our future? SEED magazine asks a panel of experts.
Guiding the Next Federal Transportation Spending Bill
Legislation is being introduced in Congress to guide the course of the next five years of federal transportation spending, focusing on reducing per capita vehicle miles traveled and decreasing truck freight shipping.
California Landmarks Up For Sale
In an effort to raise some cash, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed selling off some of the state's historic landmarks -- including San Quentin Prison and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Caracas, The City that Built Itself
Utopian modernism turned on its head in Caracas, where residents have made fifty-year-old superblock housing projects into the locus of sprawling improvised settlements.
Montreal's Bike Sharing System Goes Public
Montreal has unveiled a new bike sharing program. Though similar to the Paris Velib system, Montreal's new program differs in that it is not operated by a private advertising company.
Idea to Tax Drivers By the Mile Gathers Support in Washington
Washington's top transportation official has indicated support for the idea of beefing up transportation funds by taxing drivers by the mile.
Cities Focus on Existing Buildings To Save Energy
Old buildings could be to blame for much of a city's energy waste. That's the case in New York, where officials are putting together a plan to retrofit older buildings to be less wasteful.
Giving Nature Rights
This piece from Utne Reader looks at Ecuador's recent extension of inalienable rights to nature and why other countries should follow this lead.
Can Charlotte Overtake Atlanta as Powerhouse of the South?
Atlanta is seen by many as the economic powerhouse of the South. But some say Charlotte's progress in providing transit and reducing traffic may begin to tip the scales.
High Speed Rail Funds on the Way for California and Florida
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said recently that California and Florida are likely to be the first recipients of stimulus funding for high speed rail projects.
Stimulus Trickles Down For CDBGs
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has set aside $980 million for Community Development Block Grants, which will be split among 1,200 governments.
Making the Case for HOT Lanes
In this column, CA Lt. Gov. John Garamendi supports a regional plan to create a HOT lane network in the Bay Area, permitting single occupant vehicles to buy into the fast lanes, creating a new source of regional revenue to fund express bus service.
Working Families Charged Rent to Live in New York Shelters
Families who have income will now be charged a small rent to stay in public housing shelters in New York City, part of a 1997 state law that had up until now gone unenforced.
FEMA Trailer Foreclosures
FEMA has sent eviction notices to thousands of people in emergency trailers in New Orleans. The temporary shelter was designed to house homeowners while their homes were repaired, but many remain unfinished.
Obama's High Speed Rail Plans
Neal Peirce looks at President Barack Obama's ambitious plans for high speed rail and the significant obstacles that stand in its way.
Reviving the Rust Belt
Smart City talks with grass roots and civic leaders about how to revitalize flagging Rust Belt economies.
Cities Call Sustainability a Top Priority
Five out of every six major U.S. cities claims sustainability is one of its top priorities.
10-Cent Gas Tax Needed for Dallas-Fort Worth Transit
It would take at least an additional 10-cent tax on gasoline to fund transit and transportation projects in metropolitan Dallas-Fort Worth, according to city officials who want to ask voters to allow the increases.
Dukakis (Hearts) Rail
'Dukakis is a rail man,' says Alex Marshall, after the man speak on his history with Amtrak and promoting and building rail in Boston. The cure to our transit woes, according to Dukakis, is competence.
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
