Government / Politics

States Dependent On Colorado River Water Agree On Plan

The seven western states dependent on the Colorado River for their water are on the verge of coming to an agreement on a management plan to ensure a steady supply of water from the increasingly stressed source. But some say the plan won't do enough.

December 10, 2007 - The Arizona Republic

National Heritage Areas In Center of Property Rights Debate

With more and more land receiving federal protection as National Heritage Areas, property rights activists are butting heads with the preservationists they say are taking rights away from landowners.

December 10, 2007 - The Washington Post

Is A Subway System Possible In Kansas City?

The city may consider a heavy rail subway system after overturning a light rail ballot initiative.

December 10, 2007 - The Kansas City Star

New Orleans To Slash Low Income Housing

Plans to demolish low income housing and remove FEMA trailers are putting the poor of New Orleans in a tight spot.

December 10, 2007 - Bloomberg

Lessons From America's Most Ambitious Infrastructure Project

The City Journal examines lessons from Boston's 35-year, $14.8 billion Big Dig project and asks how can American invest in infrastructure -- and do it intelligently?

December 10, 2007 - City Journal

Munich: A Marvel Of Smart Growth and Urban Planning

Urban planners and developers in the Western United States could learn a lot from Munich, Germany, argues one online commentator.

December 9, 2007 - UtahStories.com

Mayor To Employees: Get On The Bus

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wants city employees to ride the bus to work, and he's proposing giving them free transit passes to make it easier for workers to make the switch.

December 7, 2007 - Seattle Post Intelligencer

China Moves To Protect Farmland With Higher Taxes

To stem the loss of farmland to development, the Chinese government is raising taxes on non-farmed arable land by 500%.

December 7, 2007 - China Daily

Planners Object, But Courts Approve Housing Development

When developers made plans for a housing development on land an Israeli kibbutz had to sell off, planners said the required rezoning was out of the question. But five years later and still without planners' approval, the courts have allowed project.

December 6, 2007 - Haaretz

Holding The Line On Miami-Dade's Urban Development Boundary

Citing strained resources, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez has vetoed a number of development projects located outside of the County's ever-tenuous urban development boundary.

December 6, 2007 - The Miami Herald

...Because It's Called 'Lawndale', Not 'Concretedale'

The Southern California city of Lawndale has passed tight restrictions that prohibit residents from paving their front yards with concrete -- an effort to reduce the amount of vehicles parked in front yards and fight what some call a "sea of gray."

December 6, 2007 - The Daily Breeze

The Two Faces of California's Upcoming Election Year

In California, the 2008 election year may result in victories for two contrasting interest: those who want to limit eminent domain powers and those seeking increased regulation of land use, writes William Fulton.

December 6, 2007 - California Planning & Development Report

Eminent Domain In The Spotlight

With the recent multi-million dollar settlement over a Connecticut town's abuse of eminent domain, the land acquisition practice is facing increasing scrutiny nationwide.

December 5, 2007 - The New York Times

After City Inaction, Philadelphia Casino Construction Approved By Court

Calling out the Philadelphia City Council for "deliberate inaction" on a casino developer's zoning requests, the state Supreme Court has overstepped the city authority to approve the casino's construction.

December 5, 2007 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Project Approved Under Measure 37 To Test Measure 49

A subdivision project enabled by Oregon's Measure 37 and already under development when the state's voter passed the counteractive Measure 49 in November may be allowed to continue, raising questions about how to interpret to competing measures.

December 5, 2007 - The Oregonian

Nevada's Federal Land Sale Fuels Growth

Federal land in Las Vegas has been sold off by the government, creating a fund worth billions of dollars. The fund has been used for many public service and preservation projects in the state. But some say it opens space up for unchecked growth.

December 3, 2007 - The New York Times

Illinois Politics Delaying Chicago Transit Bailout

The governor of Illinois and legislators outside of Chicago are fighting over transportation funding, which is delaying the bailout for Chicago transit.

December 3, 2007 - St. Louis Post Dispatch

Turning Around Japan's Declining Towns

Many Japanese cities are in decline, and people there are counting on the new prime minister to put a stop to it.

December 3, 2007 - Der Spiegel

Inclusionary Housing Plan Falls Short In Seattle

Seattle pushes forward with an inclusionary housing bill, but housing advocates have pushed back, saying the plan does not go far enough.

December 3, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Trump Eyes Massachusetts For Next Casino Venture

As Massachusetts warms to the idea of casino gambling, Donald Trump is scouring the state for prime development opportunities.

December 2, 2007 - The Boston Globe

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

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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