Government / Politics

Will Congress Finally Raise The Gas Tax?

With the nation's infrastructure in dire need of investment, a debate over the need to raise the federal gas tax is brewing in Washington, D.C.

April 22, 2008 - CNN Money

Salt Lake City Takes Steps To Fix Dysfunctional Planning Department

After a recent audit revealed that long-time problems that have plagued the city's planning division, local leaders are taking action to remedy the situation.

April 22, 2008 - Deseret News

San Francisco's Bay Area Growth May Change With Climate

Officials forecast need to adapt development model: to retreat from some areas, build in others, and reduce reliance on cars.

April 22, 2008 - The San Francisco Chronicle

City Hires Developer To Lead Planning Department

Winnipeg, Manitoba has selected a local developer to fill the city's top planning job, with some left wondering what direction the city's growth will take under the new director.

April 21, 2008 - Winnepeg Free Press

Questioning New York City's Sustinability Plan

With Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan defeated, can the city's vision for long-term sustainability be achieved?

April 21, 2008 - The Gotham Gazette

Gray Gold: Housing The Baby Boomers

A recent working paper considers the implications of housing the nation's aging population.

April 21, 2008 - Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Do Houston Residents Want Zoning?

With planning likely to become a major issue in next year's mayoral campaign, a recent survey shows that most residents would support new rules -- including possibly land use zoning -- to manage the region's sprawling development.

April 21, 2008 - The Houston Chronicle

To Save Detroit, Plan For A Smaller City

A recent editorial argues that Detroit must look for ways to concentrate its dwindling population in a smaller, more compact city if it is to survive.

April 21, 2008 - The Detroit Free Press

Cash-Strapped Transit Agency Needs Funding Plan

Forget major rail expansion. The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority hopes a new bill will first allow it to afford office space and hire an executive director.

April 18, 2008 - The Tampa Tribune

New HUD Chief Named

President George W. Bush is expected to announce his nomination of Steve Preston, head of the Small Business Association, as the new chief of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

April 18, 2008 - The New York Times

How Drugs Kill Forests

Drug traffickers, growers and drug law enforcement agents are wreaking havok on the forests of Central America, where large plots of forest are clear-cut for drug crop growing and sprayed to eliminate illicit substances.

April 18, 2008 - Scientific American

American Mayors and Bottom-Up Environmental Planning

The environmental leadership of mayors in the U.S. offers much hope for the future of the country, according to this article from Metropolis.

April 18, 2008 - Metropolis Magazine

'Fully Contained Communities' Spark Comprehensive Plan Debate

Officials and residents in Snohomish County, Washington, are grappling over proposed changes to their comprehensive plan. A major point of contention is whether "fully contained communities" should be allowed.

April 17, 2008 - The Seattle Times

States Take Action on Foreclosures While Federal Government Stumbles

Without a clear federal plan to counteract the swath of foreclosures sweeping across the country, state governments are finding ways to reduce the local impacts.

April 16, 2008 - The Washington Post

The Fight for $1 Homes

A HUD plan that allows municipalities to buy up foreclosed homes for just $1 is causing controversy in Wayne County, Michigan, where cities and counties are fighting over who is best suited to take over abandoned homes.

April 16, 2008 - The Detroit Free Press

Los Angeles Taco Trucks in Trouble

Mobile taco trucks in Los Angeles may face tougher fines for parking in any one place for too long if proposed restrictions are passed by the county.

April 16, 2008 - The Los Angeles Times

Leasing Toll Roads: Learning From Indiana

While experts now say that the lease term Indiana agreed to was too long, and the payment it received in return too small, so far all parties appear to be better off –- the road, the drivers, the toll takers, the Governor, and the state.

April 15, 2008 - The New York Times

Noise and the City

Cairo, Egypt is becoming increasingly noisy.

April 15, 2008 - The New York Times

El Paso On Fast Track to Transit

Officials in El Paso, Texas have been working with state and federal officials on a plan to bring rapid transit to the city within three years.

April 15, 2008 - El Paso Times

Flood Control Project On Death Bed

An Army Corps of Engineers flood control project in south-central Mississippi is in danger of being vetoed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. But supporters have not given up hope.

April 15, 2008 - The 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.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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