An op-ed by the mayor of Calgary, Canada celebrates the adoption of a new off-site levy that will change the financing formula for new development and the necessary infrastructure that comes with it.
Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi provides an op-ed for the Calgary Herald to announce the City Council's approval of a new ordinance that enacts an off-site levy. According to Mayor Nenshi, the new law "will fundamentally change how we pay for growth in this city, mostly ending what I’ve been calling a sprawl subsidy."
Mayor Nenshi explains the need for the new law in the broader context of Calgary's growth—130,000 new residents in the past four years—and the extra costs Calgary residents have to cover for infrastructure as a result. To conclude, Mayor Nenshi summarizes the consequences of the new off-site levy:
This means that we have fundamentally ended the development subsidy. For the first time, growth in all parts of the city will now compete on a level playing field, allowing for the market to work and homebuyers to see the true costs of their homes. It also means that, pending further council decision, we will be able to mitigate future increases in your water and wastewater bills.
For traditional reporting on the City Council's approval of the new levy, see an earlier article by Annalise Klingbeil and Trevor Howell.
FULL STORY: Nenshi: We're finally going to stop subsidizing sprawl
Conservatives Have a Bad Feeling About Smart Growth
Bloggers, pundits, authors, and researchers, have made the case for conservatives to embrace the effects of smart growth. Yet still, a distinctly partisan divide flavors the debate about how to make room for a growing number of Americans.
Why Don’t More Conservatives Support Smart Growth?
A self-identified conservative who supports the “broader vision of smart growth” has identified a reason why more conservatives don’t support smart growth: the political economy of sprawl.
Exposing Sprawl's Hidden Costs
A new report sheds light on the costs of suburban sprawl that aren't well understood by officials and residents. If more knew the true financial costs they might reconsider their policies and priorities, believes author Dave Thompson.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Study Links Covid and Poor Driving
The effects of the virus, including ‘brain fog,’ can make driving more difficult and dangerous.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
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.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
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