Government / Politics
Planning System Revamp May Speed Development in Santa Cruz
Bureaucratic red tape has slowed the development process for years in Santa Cruz, California. Now proposed changes look to speed up the process, but critics say the changes could open the door to under-controlled development.
Public Art Prompts Protests as Phoenix Faces Tight Budget
Phoenix's public art program is widely touted as one of the best in the country. But a proposed floating sculpture has elicited criticism from an otherwise uninvolved public, mainly due to the fact that the city is facing a large budget deficit.
Philadelphia Affordable Housing Organization Alleges HUD Vendetta
Officials in D.C. have sought to punish Philadelphia's Housing Director for not selling a vacant property to a friend of the HUD Secretary. The city was then found in violation of rules, and could now lose $50 million in housing funds.
Taking Another 'Big Look' at Oregon's Planning System
A state task force looking at improving the Oregon state land use and planning system is going back to work.
D.C. Plans Crackdown on Abusive Landlords and Condo Conversions
City councilors in Washington D.C. have proposed a plan to throw out exemptions that allowed hundreds of landlords to evict residents with little or no notice so they could convert buildings to high priced condos.
New England Clothesline Measures Up In Air
Measures are moving forward in Connecticut and Vermont that would protect the rights of residents to dry their laundry on clotheslines -- an act many opponents say drives down property values.
Public Buildings with a Side of Art
Included in the budget of any new county building in Los Angeles County is a 1% line item for the creation of public art -- part of a public art program initiated in 2004. The first building to utilize this line item has just been completed.
Tight Resources Hurt Denver's Historic Preservation
Denver is not providing enough resources to undertake historic preservation efforts, according to this open letter to Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Streetcar Plans Move Forward in Cincinnati
Plans for streetcars in Cincinnati are moving forward, as advocates have formally requested nearly $1 million to perform the preliminary studies required to apply for federal funding.
Key West's Main Drag?
Residents and public officials are calling on merchants to clean up Duval Street in Key West, Florida. Long considered the city's economic engine, the opposition believes some of the questionable quirkiness give the street and the city its character.
Grim Forecast For Transportation Progress In Bay Area
Bay Area political columnist Dan Borenstein examines long-term transportation data and concludes that driving will only increase unless politicians make driving more expensive and transit cheaper, a solution he regards as unlikely at best.
Guarding the Hollywood Sign
This report from NPR looks at the impending sale of land on the hillside above the infamous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, and the local official who's trying to prevent it.
The Developing Role of Charrettes
This episode of Smart City includes a discussion about charrettes with Bill Lennertz of the National Charrette Institute.
Adaptive Reuse: Historic Courthouse To Charter School
The 93-year old Bronx Borough Courthouse will soon become a charter school.
L.A. Erasing Murals
Murals are under fire in Los Angeles, as city officials are painting over what they see as "illegal signs".
Is Now the Time for an MPO in Melbourne?
With government plans to increase the amount of land used for affordable housing in Melbourne, Australia, some say it's time for a regional planning entity.
Affordable Housing May Be Required in San Francisco Redevelopment
A measure to require half of all new housing units in San Francisco's planned redevelopment of Bayview-Hunters Point is heading to the city's June ballot. The developer says the measure will kill the project.
Tight New York Parking Blamed on City Employee Permits
More than 142,000 parking permits have been issued by the city of New York for public employees, enabling free parking all over the city. Critics blame the high number of permits for clogging the city's streets.
Shake-Up in Salt Lake City Planning
New Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has followed through on campaign promises to begin an overhaul of the city's planning department, handing out a series of firings in an effort to revitalize and streamline the city's planning process.
Boise a Case Study for the High-Tech Economy
Idaho policymakers must make necessary investments and attract talent to succeed, according to a new report.
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
