Government / Politics

In an unusual twist in California's sprawling Central Valley, environmental and public health advocates have joined forces with the local air quality district - an agency they have sued in the past for not doing enough to clean the air.

November 2, 2006 - The Fresno Bee

With 90,000 residents and growing, Davie, Florida is struggling to move beyond its rural roots.

November 1, 2006 - The Miami Herald

Supervisors in San Francisco have called on the city to impose the affordable housing standards included in the master plan, a move many in the city's planning department fear will bring development in the city's eastern areas to a halt.

November 1, 2006 - The San Francisco Bay Guardian

A new poll of Londoners shows the majority backing a proposal to grant the city's mayor increased power to intervene in the planning process.

October 31, 2006 - Ealing Times

Steven E. Polzin presents some lighthearted observations on Americans' heavyset figures, while examining the relationship between our increasing waistlines and the nation's demand for energy.

October 30, 2006 - Steven E. Polzin

City government in Philadelphia has successfully retained control over the planning and zoning process which will allow slots-casino establishments to develop along the Delaware River.

October 27, 2006 - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Court oversight of the LAMTA, part of a ten year old settlement of a landmark civil rights lawsuit, will be will end after a federal judge rules that the agency, which has spent more than $1 billion to improve bus service, had complied with the agreement.

October 27, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

President Bush approves plans for a 700km border fence between the United States and Mexico, to the dismay of the Mexican government and immigrant advocates.

October 27, 2006 - BBC News

The City of Portland, Maine, continues to struggle with the decision of whether or not to renovate or rebuild the 28 year old Cumberland County Civic Center.

October 27, 2006 - Portland Press Herald

Pittsburgh leaders who had spent more than a year creating standards for everything from how a casino should look to where it could be located are furious about a bill enacted by the State House that removes zoning authority from cities.

October 26, 2006 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Consultants find that city officials held back a glaring report detailing the city's failing finances to clear the way for municipal bond sales for a new downtown baseball stadium.

October 26, 2006 - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Harvard Professor Gregory Mankiw lists seven reasons why he would like to see Congress incrementally increase the gas tax by $1 per gallon over the next decade.

October 25, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

With a diverse economy no longer dependent on military spending, the city is trying to lessen Uncle Sam's influence in its affairs and exert more control over its own destiny.

October 25, 2006 - Voice of San Diego

The City of Detroit and its suburbs continue to battle over one of the nation's largest water and sewer systems.

October 25, 2006 - Michigan Land Use Institute

Condo owners and members of homeowner associations, who are already struggling to pay repairs on uninhabitable storm-damaged units and fighting with their insurance companies for compensation and temporary housing, now face possible foreclosure.

October 24, 2006 - Sun-Sentinel

Federal governments everywhere are not structured to recognize -- much less address -- the serious environmental pressures they face, and as a result end up responding militarily. The alternative? Ministries and Departments of Sustainable Development.

October 24, 2006 - Tom Paine

Local governments in California weary of losing the ability to 'plan' are speaking out against the initiative's purported goals of reforming eminent domain and the valuation of regulated land.

October 23, 2006 - The Planning Report

In an effort to simultaneously privatize its housing and make bases more livable, the military is employing the principles of new urbanism.

October 23, 2006 - The Washington Post

Citing a need to preserve historic charm, Boston is the first big city to weigh rules for dishes.

October 23, 2006 - The Christian Science Monitor

The Government of Delhi clears several slums on the banks of the Yamuna river to make way for the athletes housing for the 2010 commonwealth games.

October 22, 2006 - BBC News