Government / Politics

Can Dallas Densify?

The Dallas City Council ponders a form-based code, designed to encourage neighborhoods where driving isn't required to get around.

December 10, 2008 - Dallas Morning News

Obama's Stimulus Package Disappoints

Columnist David Brooks warns that the Obama stimulus package fails to build on the current social movement to enliven existing suburbs and instead appears to follow a traditional roads, bridges, and refurbishing existing infrastructure approach.

December 10, 2008 - The New York Times

MTA Rescue Plan Wins Support Of NY Governor

The MTA rescue plan, with its new East & Harlem River bridge tolls and first-ever, 12-county transit payroll tax cleared a major political hurdle by winning the crucial support of NY Gov' Paterson. Winning support from mayor, outer boroughs remains.

December 9, 2008 - The New York Times

Obama Puts Focus on Public Works

President-elect Barack Obama has announced a promise to institute a broad-ranging package of building programs, from infrastructure to schools -- the nation's largest public works program since the post-war era.

December 9, 2008 - The New York Times

Teamsters And Enviros Unite

The Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports’ new Clean Trucks program is the object of a legal battle pitting Teamsters, environmental and public health groups, the NAACP, and community groups demanding clean air against trucking companies and shippers.

December 8, 2008 - Los Angeles Times

Experts Offer Advice on the Next Transportation Bill

National Journal Magazine has asked it's team of political insiders/bloggers to give their thoughts on how the next federal transportation bill should be written.

December 8, 2008 - National Journal

Throwing Money Won't Fix Nation's Transportation Infrastructure

The governors of the United States want transportation money, and they want it now. But the federal government should be careful about doling out billions in funding, according to Sam Staley and Adrian Moore.

December 8, 2008 - Reason

Can Cities Continue Red Light Camera Ticketing?

Texas cities are forced to review their red light camera contracts after the discovery of a potential loophole in Texas law.

December 7, 2008 - KXAN Austin News

Zoning Out Bikini Car Washes

San Antonio's city council attempts to make it harder for bikini carwashes to attract oglers by forcing them to accept a new zoning category.

December 6, 2008 - San Antonio Express News

Obama Reaches Out to Governors for Infrastructure Funding Support

Presdient-elect Obama addressed the nation's governors at a meeting of the National Governors Association on Tuesday, building solidarity between officials at the state and federal levels for an infrastructure-based stimulus package.

December 5, 2008 - The Christian Science Monitor

Cemetery Moved For Landfill?

Elected officials in the Atlanta area decide to relocate a historic cemetery to make room for a landfill. NAACP officials believe the relocation fits a pattern of racial discrimination.

December 5, 2008 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Budget and Billy the Elephant

Los Angeles' budget shortfall could mean sending its zoo's only elephant to a Northern California sanctuary. Over time, funding for city services are also predicted to get slashed.

December 5, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Chicago Privatizes Parking

For $1.16 billion, Chicago Parking Meters LLC, has won the rights to manage Chicago's parking meters. This is one step the city has taken to ease budget shortfalls.

December 4, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Relaxing Sign Rules

The city of San Angelo, Texas bucks a regional trend towards stricter regulations for signs used as advertising.

December 4, 2008 - San Angelo Standard Times

This Season, Some Light Displays Sacrificed

Around the country, cities have been forced to scrimp by cutting back on holiday-themed light displays.

December 4, 2008 - USA Today

New Bridge Tolls and Payroll Tax Proposed For NYC Transit

A rescue package for New York’s debt-ridden M.T.A. includes two new revenue generators: first-ever tolls for the East and Harlem River bridges, and a 12-county, corporate payroll tax, to supplement fare and toll increases and transit service cuts.

December 4, 2008 - The New York Times

NEWS SUMMARY: Cities Cutting Back

December 4, 2008 - Nate Berg

What's A Rail Station Without Parking?

The New Jersey Transit's Secaucus commuter rail station is the topic of scorn by a New York Times editorial because it doesn't provide commuter parking - even though it was designed as a 'transfer station'.

December 4, 2008 - The New York Times

Financial Turmoil Leads to Reverse Migration in China

As more and more of China's "floating population" return from their city jobs to their farms, officials brace for backlash from the recently unemployed.

December 3, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Balancing A City's History With Its Future

In a place as dynamic as New York City, balancing preservation with development pressure is no easy task.

December 3, 2008 - New York Times

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.

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