Government / Politics
Suburbs Support New City Creation For Political Leverage
Small city public officials in the Sacramento area are using public money to support a bid to turn an unincorporated plot of land into a new city -- a move they hope will help to distribute regional planning power more equitably to smaller towns.
Senator Opposes Plan To Convert Interstates To Toll Roads
A U.S. Senator from Texas has vowed to oppose a state-supported plan to convert existing interstate highways into tollraods.
Has Smart Growth Made A Difference In Maryland?
Though former Governor Perris Glendening lead the charge for smart growth in Maryland, its hard to tell if the state's policies have curbed sprawl significantly.
Texas Wants To Buy Back Interstate, Convert To Toll Roads
Transit officials in Texas are looking to convince Congress to let the state buy back sections of interstate highway for conversion into revenue-generating toll roads.
Developer's Sway Reroutes Rail, Upsets Residents
Salt Lake City residents are upset over a developer using his powerful clout to reroute a planned light rail line so it would not interfere with access points to his shopping mall.
Can Britain Go Carbon-Neutral?
This article from the Guardian looks at the feasibility of putting in place a recently-announced proposal to make Britain carbon-neutral by 2050.
City Opposed As Struggling Neighbor Seeks Merger
Facing the possibility of not being able to afford service by county sheriffs, the city of West Park, Florida, is hoping to forfeit its cityhood and join up with neighboring Pembroke Park. But Pembroke Park is less than enthusiastic about a merger.
Bill Seeks To Limit Tax Deductions For McMansions
Climate change legislation that is expected to be introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives next month includes a provision that eliminates a tax deduction for any home over 3,000 square feet.
Transportation Is Biggest Loser In New California Budget
California's 52-day delayed budget was just signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger and the biggest loser is transportation -- to the tune of $1.3 billion. Public transit agencies will be taking the biggest hit of all.
Lawsuit Over General Plan Ignoring Global Warming Settled
A widely watched lawsuit by California's attorney general against the state's fastest growing county over the issue of inventorying and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the update of a county general plan has been settled.
Disneyland Takes Rezoning To Ballot
The housing saga continues in Anaheim, California, as the Disney Corporation has pushed a referendum into next June's city ballot that will let voters decide if housing should be allowed in the Disneyland-adjacent "Resort District".
After Brief Pause, Naked Time Will Resume
Despite thousands of signatures in its support, a proposed law that would have banned public nudity in the city of Brattleboro, Vermont, was voted down recently. A temporary ban will end next month.
The Manhattanization Of L.A.
In this piece from the Los Angeles Times, Joel Kotkin writes about how L.A. politicians are blindly following the lead of developers in densifying the city without adequately debating the consequences.
Wal-Mart Town Center Project Is Missing The Town Center
In North Lauderdale, Florida, a Wal-Mart-anchored town center is struggling to live up to its promises.
Good Management The Secret To Successful Communities
Cerritos, California, has become one of the more successful suburbs of Los Angeles by applying superb management techniques.
California Publishes New Hazard Mitigation Draft Plan
The California Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) is the state's plan for reshaping and strengthening the built environment to significantly reduce disaster losses created by natural and human-caused hazards.
Is Transportation Infrastructure The Basis Of A North American Union?
Plans to construct a trans-Texas highway corridor have theorists speculating that this transportation infrastructure is the first step in a secret plan to create a North American union between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Outsourcing City Hall
Four unincorporated communities in Atlanta have become new cities...and outsourced neary all government services to private corporations.
Push For Light Rail, BRT On Bridge Replacement Meets Resistance
The city of Minneapolis wants plans for the collapsed Interstate 35W to include the possible future implementation of space for light rail and bus rapid transit. The state department of transportation, however, has a differing vision.
Flood Victims Call On Government To Limit Flood Plain Development
Residents of a British town that was recently flooded gathered to demonstrate against governmental housing plans that do not advise against building in flood plains.
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.
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
