Government / Politics

Opposition Growing To Public Subsidies For Retail Mega-Projects

Proposed state legislation in Arizona will punish cities that offer subsidies to retail projects. Kansas City's new mayor was elected on an anti-TIF platform. Increasingly, public financing for urban revitalization is coming under attack.

April 5, 2007 - The Wall Street Journal

Legislative Limbo For Displaced Trailer Park Residents

A large loss of mobile home parks in Florida has legislators asking whether the state or the municipalities should take responsibility for the thousands of misplaced low-income residents.

April 5, 2007 - The Miami Herald

Missouri Town Approves Form-Based Code

The town of Blue Springs, Missouri, has turned to a form-based code to help revitalize its downtown and improve predictability for residents and developers alike.

April 5, 2007 - The Kansas City Star

Should Gas Taxes Be Raised To Fund Public Transit?

While public transit trips have been increasing, funding the systems remains a chronic problem, illustrated by the woes facing the Chicago El. This editorial urges Congress to increase the gas tax to provide all transit systems more revenue.

April 4, 2007 - The New York Times

Seattle's Workforce Grappling With Housing Shortage

The city is revisiting its affordable housing programs, which currently do little to help moderate-income residents who are increasingly priced out of homeownership.

April 4, 2007 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Wind Turbine Ordinance Proves Controversial In New York Town

A small town in upstate New York struggles to craft an ordinance to limit wind energy turbines.

April 2, 2007 - The Daily Star, Oneonta, NY

Making the Desert Bloom, But for How Long?

Mike Sabel takes an in-depth look at the future of Las Vegas, its enormous growth, and what happens when the water runs out.

April 2, 2007 - The Next American City

Oregon Working On Amendments To Measure 37

State legislators are trying to reach agreement on how to work out the kinks from the controversial law.

March 30, 2007 - The Register-Guard

Homeowners' Association Thwarts Efforts At Energy Conservation

An Arizona home owner's association fines a resident for installing a solar-powered heater arguing that the appearance of the device violates the subdivision's deed restrictions.

March 29, 2007 - The Arizona Republic

An English Plan In New York

One of London's top planners talks about the future of the European capital, as it prepares for a million new residents.

March 29, 2007 - Streetsblog

L.A.'s 'Persian Palaces' Spark Zoning Backlash

The construction of large, some say garish, homes built by immigrant families in several Southern California communities is prompting officials to tighten zoning restrictions.

March 29, 2007 - The Economist

Reining In Tax Breaks For Developers

In Kansas City, Missouri, voters just elected their former city auditor as their new mayor. One of the unlikely campaign issues: the use of tax increment financing for developers.

March 29, 2007 - The Kansas City Star

An Interview With Ken Livingstone: London's Planning Czar?

Praised by many for his bold actions to make London more livable and sustainable, the self-proclaimed practical socialist Ken Livingstone offers his thoughts on transit, housing and immigration policies for the world city.

March 28, 2007 - Prospect Magazine

Meeting The Affordable Housing Challenge

Inclusionary zoning and community land trusts are two innovative methods that government and non-profits are starting to use to create affordable housing, though these, like past efforts, have their shortcomings.

March 27, 2007 - The Seattle Times

A 'Year of Decision' For Chicago's El System

For Chicago's El, big decisions must be made to modernize the nations' second largest transit system and alleviate it routine budget shortfalls.

March 27, 2007 - The New York Times

Parking Deck Scars Downtown Atlanta Block

Despite being sued over its construction, a developer built a parking deck against code and severely limited the potential of the remaining downtown block it sits on.

March 27, 2007 - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bush Administration Puts Money Behind Implementing Congestion Pricing

In one of the clearest directives to states yet, an FHWA official stated publicly that they want to award money to highway departments to actually implement -- not simply study -- congestion pricing.

March 27, 2007 - The Advocate (Stamford, CT)

Creating Stronger Borders -- In Wisconsin

Legislation up for consideration in Wisconsin looks to make it easier for towns in the state to legally change their municipal status to avoid being annexed. The bill hopes to reduce the amount of cross-town border disputes incited by annexations.

March 26, 2007 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Majority In Ohio Want Eminent Domain Law Struck

A recent survey reveals that more than two-thirds of Ohio residents are opposed to the state's eminent domain law, and would be in favor of throwing it out.

March 26, 2007 - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Shanghai Tells Transit Officials To Get On The Bus

The city's government is requiring that high-ranking officials use transit at least one day a month.

March 25, 2007 - Shanghai Daily

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.

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