Government / Politics
Another Mayor Arrested; City Faces Bankruptcy
The mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, faces a slew of federal charges related to bribery and abuses of power.
Mayor Takes Message To YouTube
The mayor of San Francisco delivers his annual state of the city message in ten 45-minute segments on YouTube rather than in person.
Woes Awaiting New Transportation Secretary
Of primary importance will be dealing with the National Highway Trust Fund, long the source of federal transportation funding, but not having seen an increase in the gas tax for 15 years, it is essentially broke - spending more than it brings in.
For Cities, Cutting Back May Simply Mean Streamlining
Tough economic times spell troubles for city budgets. One way to cut back on costs is to rethink operation of seemingly untouchable public safety services like police and firefighters, according to this column from Neal Peirce.
Fall of Canada's Federal Govt. May be Good for Housing, Infrastructure
A constitutional crisis brewing in Canada may see the ruling Conservative Party defeated next week in favour of a coalition government. Their priorities may be more city-friendly.
Roads or Police?
A bi-partisan PA bill with considerable support seeks to redirect funds from the Motor License Fund, paid by motorists, that currently go to the State Police to roads. The police budget would have to compete with other needs from the general fund.
Greener London Ahead
The mayor of London has announced plans to make the city greener than ever. He stated that opportunities abounded not just for emissions reduction, but for green job creation as well.
Energy Companies Get No 'Parting Gift' from BLM
The Bureau of Land Management hasn't gone through with its plans to auction off leases on land, apparently intended to be explored for oil and gas.
NOLA Medical Campus to Replace Historic Buildings
A proposed New Orleans hospital will have to be built on top of an historic neighborhood that some residents feel that they have just regained. Those in favor of the project insist that the selection of that site was necessary.
Transportation Secretary Will Have to Hit Ground Running
Outdated funding mechanisms and systemwide maintenance issues ensure that the next transportation secretary will have a full plate during the Obama administration.
Can L.A. Go Solar?
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has an ambitious plan to get L.A. to go solar. Still, without a proper financial analysis, skeptics find it too lofty to be true.
London Mayor Cuts Cycling Funds
London mayor Boris Johnson is facing backlash for withdrawing money from bike route funds to rephase traffic lights, among other things. The move is less than effective for making London a "true cycling city," say critics.
How to Empower the World's Poor
The key to solving global poverty is possessing secure land and property tenure, according to this opinion piece. Having such security enables poor communities, even those here at home, to make demands from their governments.
The Continuing Battle Over Native American Lands
Enterprising Native American communities are using their sovereignty to approve large projects that would be difficult to clear on neighboring lands, like landfills and casinos. Industry is happy to oblige, and directly targets the Native market.
London Blitz, Redux
A combination of economic crises and a tax code based on square footage rather than rentals is encouraging a raft of demolitions that is leaving parts of London looking like it's been bombed again.
Transit Hero Featured In Seattle Column
This column deals with two Seattle issues: one political - the victory of a transit measure on Nov. 4 that will direct $18 billion to light rail; the other human - a Sierra Club activist who made the campaign for Prop 1 a full time job.
Santa Monica Bans Exercising on Traffic Medians
After noise complaints by residents nearby, any exercise that takes place on a grassy traffic median in Santa Monica that can qualify as "congregating" has been banned.
The Cautionary Tale of Vallejo
Vallejo, CA declared bankruptcy last spring, felled by fiscal mismanagement and falling property taxes. Cities around the country are looking to Vallejo's example as they teeter near the edge.
Greening New York From the Street Up
This article from The American Prospect profiles New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and examines her influence on the city's green agenda.
San Francisco Weighs Congestion Pricing Options
Officials in San Francisco will be presented with reports today on possible ways to integrate congestion pricing and toll zones into the city. If approved, San Francisco would be the first city in the nation to implement congestion pricing.
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.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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
