Government / Politics

Civil Rights Activist And Los Angeles Planner Chi Mui Dies

Mui, only 53, was one of the few first-generation Chinese Americans to successfully run for political office, becoming mayor of San Gabriel in 2003. He also worked for a number of Southern California community groups on civil rights and other issues.

May 2, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Four Californias? An Idea Whose Time Has Come?

A columnist who has advocated for the division of California into several states takes the idea a step further, examining potential political and demographic conditions as he divides California into fourths.

April 28, 2006 - The Lookout

Put Your Gas Where Your Mouth Is?

Plenty of senators are criticizing America's addiction to oil and the need for greater fuel efficiency, yet what are they driving?

April 28, 2006 - The Washington Post

Who Pays the Property Tax?

A critical aspect of the property tax, but one that is rarely addressed in public debate, is its 'economic incidence,' or who actually bears the burden of the tax, as opposed to its statutory incidence, or who literally pays the tax.

April 27, 2006 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

$10 Vehicle Registration Fee Proposed For Bay Area

East Bay Assemblyman Johan Klehs has written a bill calling for new Bay Area vehicle registration fees, in the form of two $5 fees: one for local transportation needs and the other for a regional air and water quality mitigation project.

April 27, 2006 - The Contra Costa Times

Eight Months Later, Little Progress In New Orleans

Eight months after hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still struggling with devastated infrastructure, overburdened and understaffed hospitals, and a denuded public housing stock.

April 27, 2006 - Common Dreams

Miami-Dade County Pays To 'Exercise' Unused Train System

As delays continue in the construction of Miami International Airport's new American Airlines terminal, Miami-Dade County is forced to pay $54,000 a month to maintain a people mover train system in Japan.

April 27, 2006 - The Miami Herald

Transit Funding Option Needed In Idaho

The Idaho Statesman presents an editorial outlining a four step roadmap to obtain necessary public transit funding from a reluctant legislature.

April 26, 2006 - The Idaho Statesman

Remembering Jane Jacobs

April 25, 2006 - David Gest

Lack Of Political Will Points To 'Drenched Future' In New Orleans

Neal Peirce writes that there is a way to rebuild New Orleans in a responsible, sustainable way: make low-lying areas parkland, and build denser neighborhoods on higher ground. But there appears to be no political will to make it happen.

April 25, 2006 - The Seattle Times

How Planning Can Redesign Los Angeles

Renowned L.A. Architects Brenda Levin and William Fain call on L.A.'s new team of public officials to envision a smarter, denser, more functional city -- and to implement the policies to make it happen.

April 24, 2006 - The Planning Report

Is Miami's Urban Growth Boundary In Jeopardy?

Fresh off a recent victory, proponents of maintaining Miami's urban growth boundary are cautiously optimistic about the future.

April 24, 2006 - The Miami Herald

Large-scale Urban Interventions: The Case of Faria Lima in Sao Paulo

Large-scale urban redevelopment projects raise many questions about the impacts of subsequent development. They often use new fiscal or regulatory instruments, and affect land prices and infrastructure.

April 22, 2006 - Land Lines, Lincoln Institute Of Land Policy

Vanity Fair Goes Green

May issue highlights the environmental crisis and people across a variety of professions committed to education and change.

April 21, 2006 - Vanity Fair

$30 Billion Public Works Bond Headed For Ballot In California

Governor Schwarzenegger's $222 billion Strategic Growth Plan was derailed earlier when the legislature failed to agree on a bond package for the June ballot. It now appears that a smaller package will make the ballot in November.

April 20, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Miami Holds Strong On Urban Development Boundary

Despite growing pressure, the Miami-Dade County Commission has decided not to amend its Urban Development Boundary -- for now.

April 20, 2006 - The Miami Herald

1906 Quake And Hurricane Katrina

Edward Epstein examines the federal response to two of the nation's worst natural disasters.

April 19, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

'California: America's High-Stakes Experiment'

A new book argues that one way to save the state, once proud of its preeminent physical and social infrastructure, is through help from recent immigrants.

April 19, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Neighborhood Groups Clash Over Boston Park

What happens when too many people want to improve their neighborhood park?

April 17, 2006 - The Boston Globe

Plan Allows Entire Big Easy To Be Rebuilt

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers release a new flood plain advisory for New Orleans' flooded areas.

April 16, 2006 - The Christian Science Monitor

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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