Government / Politics

Riverside, California

COVID-19, YIMBY, and PHIMBY

How will COVID-19 and its economic consequences affect housing supply?

July 6, 2020 - Michael Lewyn

Coronavirus Protest

California's Coronavirus Infections and Hospitalizations Surge

Hasty reopenings by counties and bad behavior are blamed for soaring infection growth in California. Hospital and ICU beds in Los Angeles County, which has more coronavirus cases than any county in the U.S., could reach capacity by mid-July.

July 3, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Black Lives Matter Protest

COVID-19: What About Those Protests?

While not conclusive, evidence suggests that relatively few transmissions of the coronavirus occurred during the widespread protests that followed the death of George Floyd due to the outdoor settings, being in motion and wearing of masks.

July 3, 2020 - The Washington Post

Freeway Construction

House Democrats Approve $1.5 Trillion 'Moving Forward Act'

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called the Moving Forward Act vote "pointless political theater."

July 2, 2020 - The Washington Post

The Mission Mural Gentrification

Right-to-Purchase Policy Empowers Tenants In San Francisco, Fights Gentrification

A new policy in San Francisco gives tenants the opportunity to purchase their listed buildings with the help of non-profit corporations, a cause for celebration among anti-gentrification advocates in the Bay Area.

July 2, 2020 - High Country News

Ohio

More City Councilmembers Arrested on Corruption Charges—This Time in Toledo

Four members of the Toledo City Council were arrested this week, accused of accepting bribes and extortion. The arrests follow similar events in Los Angeles earlier this month.

July 1, 2020 - The Blade

Environmental Justice

A Plan for a 'Just Green Recovery'

The Rhodium Group charts a path toward an economic recovery plan that would also achieve social and environmental benefits.

July 1, 2020 - Rhodium Group

Coronavirus Protest

Justice Department Challenges Hawaii Quarantine

The U.S. Justice Department has intervened in a lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs challenging Hawaii's mandatory two-week quarantine for travelers arriving on the island state. The Trump-appointed judge did not react favorably.

June 29, 2020 - Politico

Social Distancing

COVID's New Demographic

Younger people are making up more of the new cases of COVID-19 as the coronavirus explodes in the Sunbelt states, particularly Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, bringing with it new attention on bars as settings for high viral transmission.

June 29, 2020 - The New York Times

Airport

EU to Bar Travelers from U.S. and other High-Infection Countries

In another pandemic reversal, a "safe country" list was completed by EU officials to take effect July 1 to prevent the reintroduction of the coronavirus. President Trump banned travelers from Europe in March to reduce the introduction of the virus.

June 29, 2020 - The New York Times

Coronavirus

Chicago's Planning Director on Leadership During Crises

Maurice Cox, planning commissioner for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, is the subject of this in-depth coverage by the Chicago Tribune.

June 29, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Seattle Sailboats

Capital Gains Tax Under Consideration in Seattle

A proposed capital gains tax would invest $37 million per year in solving affordable housing and homelessness crises in Seattle.

June 28, 2020 - The Urbanist

Social Distancing

Texas Hits Pause as Hospital Beds Fill Up

Coronavirus cases are surging throughout the South and West. With growing hospitalizations threatening the capacity of the health care systems in major cities in Texas, Gov. Gregg Abbott pressed 'pause' on the state's reopening plan.

June 26, 2020 - The Washington Post

George Washington Bridge

Pandemic Reversal: The New Tri-State Quarantine

Almost three months ago, President Trump announced "sometime today we’ll do a quarantine, short term, two weeks, on New York, probably New Jersey, certain parts of Connecticut" to prevent viral spread to Florida. On Wednesday, the roles reversed.

June 25, 2020 - The New York Times

Concrete Plant

House Democrats Unveil $1.5 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

The $500 billion five-year transportation bill making its way through the House is only part of the package.

June 25, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Ça c'est Paris

Who Stands to Benefit from Speed Limit Reductions on the Boulevard Périphérique in Paris?

Proposed plans to reduce the speed limit and narrow the Boulevard Périphérique have sparked debate in Paris. If reelected, Mayor Anne Hidalgo wants to implement these changes in addition to other urban-mobility effective policies.

June 25, 2020 - Bloomberg CityLab

Coronavirus and Transportation

More than a Pause: Reversing the Reopening

As coronavirus infections grow throughout the South and West, governors and local officials will need to consider rolling back their reopenings. Bars and nightclubs closed in Boise on Wednesday in what may be a sign of what's to come.

June 24, 2020 - Idaho Statesman

The Seat of Government

Transportation Bill Clears House Committee

A five-year transportation bill has advanced in the House, but it has a long way to go before Americans should expect to see a final federal transportation policy emerge from Congress.

June 24, 2020 - The Washington Post

Park Closure

Coronavirus Success: The Unusual Story Behind the State with the Lowest Infection Rate

Like New Zealand, another island has achieved success in reducing viral spread. The ability to quarantine travelers to Hawaii was crucial, but the virus had already arrived. Health professionals played key roles which, at times, led to conflict.

June 23, 2020 - Politico Magazine

Los Angeles Grand Park

L.A. City Councilmember Arrested, to Face Charges in Development Corruption Scheme

Longtime City Councilmember Jose Huizar was arrested at his home in Boyle Heights this morning, in the latest signal of a culture of corruption at Los Angeles City Hall.

June 23, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

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.