Government / Politics

Damming the World Bank

The World Bank recognizes the countless social and environmental problems caused by dams, but won't let them get in the way of building more and more dams.

November 26, 2005 - AlterNet

Friday Funny: Dicks Street

Residents on a two-block stretch of West Hollywood, CA, try to convince the city to change the name of the unfortunately-named Dicks street.

November 25, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

ELF Strikes Again, Burning Maryland Townhouses

The environmental terrorist group, Earth Liberation Front, claims responsibility for four fires at a housing development site.

November 25, 2005 - Herald Mail

Putting A Final Price Tag On Rebuilding New Orleans'

While no one can agree on an exact price for rebuilding the infrastructure of the city, most experts say the bill will top $100 billion.

November 23, 2005 - The Washington Post

Blumenauer Offers Glimpse Into Federal Transportation Funding

Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon has championed smart transportation solutions as a member of the House Transporatation Commitee. In this interview, he explains the challenges to getting funds for many common-sense solutions.

November 22, 2005 - The Metro Investment Report

New Orleans' Dispersed Black Residents Face Voting Barriers

Red tape and foot-dragging on the part of FEMA may prevent thousands of Black voters dispersed by Hurricane Katrina from voting in local elections.

November 20, 2005 - In These Times

City Looses Unusual 'Taking' Case

Thirty years after urban renewal effort, jury rules that a city's condemnation threat constitutes temporary taking.

November 18, 2005 - The Roanoke Times

McMansion Wars: Thoughts From The Front Line

Homeowner associations provide controls for which buyers are willing to pay more and relinquish freedoms.

November 17, 2005 - Rutland Herald

Alleged Eco-Terrorist Compensated By FBI

Environmental activist and former San Gabriel Valley resident is paid $100,000 by the FBI after being mistakenly jailed in connection with the vandalizing and setting ablaze of SUVs in 2003.

November 16, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

FEMA to Evict Katrina Refugees from Hotels

Their homes destroyed and the available housing stock almost wiped out, 150,000 displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina may find themselves evicted from their government-subsidized hotel rooms in little more than two weeks, according to a new decision from

November 16, 2005 - The Washington Post

Concern About 'Ballot Box Planning' In The Bay Area

A mixed result on election day for extending the urban growth boundaries in four East Bay cities leaves developers with hope while environmentalists are worried about fending off future developer initiatives.

November 14, 2005 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Op-Ed To Thwart Referendum Of Racetrack Conversion to TOD

The City of San Mateo, CA, unanimously approves the conversion of a functioning, 1930's era, 83-acre racetrack into a mixed-use TOD. Opponents petition to put the proposal on the ballot.

November 12, 2005 - San Jose Mercury News

Louisiana Pushing Statewide Construction Standards

The proposed bill would set standards on how new homes are built.

November 11, 2005 - Baton Rouge Advocate

New Virginia Governor Played To Suburbs In Win

Suburban voters in Virginia concerned with transportation and growth control may have swung the election to the Democrat Gov.-elect Timothy Kaine in the governor's race.

November 11, 2005 - The Washington Post

Slow Growth Forces Defeated by Unlikely Coalition

An editorial showing how diverse coalitions can defeat grassroots activists that seek, through political initiatives, to unreasonably restrict infill growth in "built-out" cities.

November 11, 2005 - San Jose Mercury News

Voters Show Slow-Growth Tendencies

Tuesday was a tough day at the polls for California developers. Slow-growth advocates won two-thirds of the local measures that appeared on special election ballots, as voters rejected a number of high-profile projects.

November 10, 2005 - California Planning & Development Reort

Is Eminent Domain Being Abused As A Hot Button Political Issue?

Mark Alan Hughes takes on politicians who plan to use legislation limiting the use of eminent domain as a means to mobilize voters. Hughes points out that Kelo didn’t really change anything about the use of eminent domain.

November 9, 2005 - The Philadelphia Daily News

Is Sprawl Universal?

Witold Rybczynski reviews Robert Bruegmann's new book, Sprawl: A Compact History.

November 8, 2005 - Slate

City Hires New Firm To Revise Downtown Plan By Duany

West Palm Beach City Commission selects new firm to revise the City's Downtown Master Plan, based on form driven code authored by Duany-Plater Zyberk in 1996, with new, guideline driven code.

November 8, 2005 - Palm Beach Post

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

A new documentary, "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price" examines the effect that governmental subsidies to Wal-Mart have on local communities.

November 6, 2005 - Free New Mexican

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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