Government / Politics
Chicago Passes Landmark Minimum Wage Ordinance
Chicago's City Council passed a landmark ordinance yesterday that requires big-box stores to pay a minimum wage of $10 per hour by 2010 plus $3 an hour worth of benefits.
Property Rights Movement Taking Its Toll On Cities
Oregon's Measure 37 was just the first of a series of campaigns from the ideological right -- all dressed up in populist rhetoric -- that favor developers and limit the abilities of cities to plan.
Bay Area Residents Will Vote On Urban Growth Boundry
After years of debate by local officials, Contra Costa County will be asked to approve an urban limit line intended to preserve farmland and open space.
Times Square-Like Development Questioned In Miami
Miami's City Commission will vote today on Citisquare, a large retail development proposed for a site next to Miami's new performing arts center. Critics deem the project's Times Square like billboards to be inappropriate for the context.
Spent Nuclear Fuel Edges Closer To Yucca
The Department of Energy has announced a timeline for the nuclear-waste site, as opposition intensifies in Nevada.
Court Rules Against Taking Homes For Economic Development
The Ohio Supreme Court has sided with homeowners in the latest case over property rights.
Oregon's Property Rights Law Is Being Tested By Landowners
Measure 37, Oregon's landmark property rights law, is set to transform a state renowned for its rigid land use policies designed to preserve forests and farms while containing cities, much to the disappointment of the state's planners.
Will The Bay Area Make Public Transit Free?
With daily ridership up 15% during the Bay Area's recent free transit experiment, some officials are calling for the policy to be made permanent.
Three U.S. Cities Are 2016 Olympics Hopefuls
With the United States expected to have a good chance of winning the Summer Olympics in 2016, three iconic U.S. cities are vying for the privilege of hosting the games.
Taxpayers Funding Gas-Guzzlers For Public Employees?
Steve Lopez asks why Los Angeles county supervisors use taxpayer dollars for chauffer-driven gas-guzzlers.
Many Bay Area Cities Flunk Housing Report Card
A business group publishes its annual "report card" or housing profile for Bay Area communities by comparing local housing permits issued to state-mandated housing goals.
When Town Officials Are Bribed To Approve Spawl
Large home builders are increasingly able and willing to bribe local governments to approve new greenfield developments.
Unclogging L.A.'s Streets
With a strong style and a common-sense approach, Gloria Jeff is taking on one of the world's most unenviable jobs: general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.
The Case For Municipal Solid Waste Management
Altoona, Pennsylvania, is proposing to replace its current private trash collection system with a municipal single-hauler contract to help combat blight, but opponents say that the city is removing consumer choice.
Corruption Plagues Miami-Dade's Housing Agency
The Miami Herald chronicles how the nation's most ambitious public housing effort in decades has become plagued by corruption and greed.
Some Residents Lament As Developers Reign In L.A.
Los Angeles faces projections of a population increase of up to 5 million people by 2030. The city's residents and planners are trying to come to terms with growth as a necessity, but the city's developer-friendly attitude has angered many residents.
Free-Transit On 'Bad Air Days" Popular, But Funds Exhausted
"Spare the Air" is a program operated by the Bay Area's air district to encourage use of public transit on 'bad air' days. They funded 3 "free transit" days to accompany the warnings. Ridership increased greatly but funding is exhausted too soon.
Dallas' Comprehensive Plan Victory
A tough critic begrudgingly congratulates the Dallas City Council for its courage in approving the city's new comprehensive plan, part of a two-year effort aided by Fregonese Calthorpe Associates.
Vancouver To Get New Planning Director
The city, which has gained attention for its downtown development strategies, is getting a new planning boss.
Transit Village Approved Despite School Board Opposition
Sheridan Stationside Village, a $500 million, 40-acre project with a train station as a central component, gained preliminary approval in Hollywood, Florida, despite opposition from the County's school board and nearby residents.
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
