Government / Politics
If You Prevent It, They Won't Do It
The Golden Gate Bridge has a four foot railing along its pedestrian sidewalk. Mental health advocates have long demanded that a barrier be placed to prevent those intent on suicide from jumping, and point to studies showing why it is needed.
The Bridge to Nowhere, Sprawl, and the Alaska Senate Race
Alaska's "bridge to nowhere" would really be a bridge to sprawl -- and that's why it'll be a crucial issue in the upcoming Senate re-election campaign of 84-year-old Ted Stevens against Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.
5 Proven Ways to Preserve Open Space
What is your county doing to preserve open spaces important to your community? And is it effective? If the answers to those questions are "not enough" and "no", read on and take these effective strategies to your lawmakers.
Government Programs Stifle Local Farmers
Government subsidy programs designed to support the production of the four major food crops are limiting - even penalizing - small farmers' ability to meet regional demand for local fruits and vegetables.
Canada's Federal Budget Boosts Transit, Municipal Budgets
Canada's new federal budget allocates $500 million for public transit and makes a "permanent" commitment to allocating a portion of the gas tax to municipalities for infrastructure-related spending. But is it enough?
Cities Don't Need Special Treatment
This opinion piece from The Boston Globe calls for an end to the special treatment and unfair taxes levied on city residents.
Feds Step in as Southern States Fail to Meet Water Agreement
The long-running tri-state battle over water rights between Florida, Alabama and Georgia have yet to be resolved, so the federal government has announced its intentions to impose its own solution.
A Brief History of Planning in San Diego
As the city of San Diego prepares to consider a new general plan, the San Diego Union-Tribune looks back at the last 100 years in city planning.
Border Fence Plan Fight Continues in Texas
This report from NPR examines the controversy and battle brewing between the federal government and small towns in Texas over a Department of Homeland Security plan to build more than 700 miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Why Protecting Ballpark's Historic Designation is Good for Chicago
A proposal to sell the naming rights of Chicago's Wrigley Field is being seen as a relaxation of the ballpark's historic landmark restrictions and may open the door for city-wide landmark designation challenges, according to this commentary.
Beneath the Surface of L.A.'s Densification
This article from the LA Weekly looks at efforts by the city planning department and key politicians to increase the density of the city.
Idaho Cracks Down on Urban Renewal District Abuse
Lawmakers in Idaho have proposed a bill that seeks to limit urban renewal district abuses.
Miami Reaches For The Sky
Due to the relaxation of FAA height limits, downtown Miami may see its ever-changing skyline rise even higher.
Economic Stimulus Package - No Infrastructure Funding...Yet
If a group of bipartisan governors from some of the nation's largest states have their way, the $168 billion economic stimulus package will include $30 billion to repair the nation's infrastructure, including road, rail, and bridges.
Green Building Requirement Weighed in San Francisco
The city of San Francisco is considering a proposal to require most new commercial and residential buildings to comply with the green building standard LEED.
Bush Denies Infrastructure Funding
The pleas of governors from across the country for more infrastructure funding have been shot down by President George W. Bush.
Bending the Rules on Smoking Bans
Bars in Minneapolis have found a workaround to evade the state's ban on smoking in bars: stage "theater nights" and let all patrons be "actors" in a show that allows smoking.
Municipal Bankruptcy Woes
The cities of Vallejo, California, and McCall, Idaho, are considering filing for bankruptcy.
Variable Toll May Replace Flat Golden Gate Bridge Toll
The Bay Area's $158 million Urban Partnership Grant is in trouble. It appears politically unlikely that a roadway toll will pass the legislature, so officials hope to change the flat Golden Gate Bridge toll to a variable toll to receive the grant.
Bearing the Costs of Disaster Area Development
Should everyone pay for a few people to live in fire- and disaster-prone areas?
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
