Elections

Red "Vote Here" sign with white text and arrow pointing left on green lawn next to curb

The Crucial Role of Suburban Voters in the Midterms

Suburban voters were instrumental in preventing a 'red wave' on Election Day and on December 6 in the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff election, enabling the Democrats to win a 51st Senate seat.

December 25, 2022 - CNN

Group of people waiting in line at polling place

Brookings: A Demographic Post-Mortem of the Midterms

Young adults, according to a deep dive analysis by Brookings Metro demographer William Frey, were a key demographic group responsible for stopping the red wave that most polling predicted as the likely outcome of last month's midterm elections.

December 9, 2022 - Brookings

View of park ranger with tan hat from behind, ranger looking out at Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Western Voters: Yes to Conservation, No to Extremism

Voters in Western states generally favored candidates who support public land conservation in this November’s election and rejected extremist rhetoric.

November 29, 2022 - High Country News

A sin on a street in Chur, Switzerland lists public health precautions.

Swiss Vote to Retain COVID Mitigation Measures

A nationwide referendum held on Sunday, Nov. 28, on coronavirus measures enacted by the Swiss federal government, including the controversial Swiss Covid certificate (vaccination verification), passed with 62% of the vote.

December 7, 2021 - The New York Times

Cincinnati Over-the-Rhine

Voters Reject Cincinnati's Affordable Housing Ballot Issue

A charter amendment that would have guaranteed funding for the Cincinnati Housing trust Fund was soundly defeated by voters in a citywide election last week.

May 6, 2021 - WCPO

Cincinnati, Ohio

Affordable Housing Needs Assessed Ahead of Cincinnati's May Election

Cincinnati voters will consider Issue 3 at the ballot box on May 4, potentially guaranteeing $50 million in annual funding for the city's Housing Trust Fund.

April 30, 2021 - The Cincinnati Enquirer

Carew Tower

Housing Trust Fund Vote Stirs Controversy in Cincinnati

A housing policy debate is taking place on the editorial pages of Cincinnati publications.

March 26, 2021 - Cincinnati.com

Stars and Stripes

2020 Election Results for Transportation and Land Use

Thinking beyond the presidency: Here's an Election Day 2020 roundup of election issues related to planning, urban design, and the built and natural environments.

November 4, 2020 - James Brasuell

California

Op-Ed: Housing Could Have Fared Better in San Francisco Election

This month's election yielded mixed results on housing. The pros: a solid victory for pro-housing Mayor London Breed and two affordable housing measures. The con: likely more anti-housing sentiment on the Board of Supervisors.

November 17, 2019 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Virginia State Government

Election 2019: Changing Demographics Explain Democrats' Victory in Virginia

It's not suburbs vs. cities but inner vs. outer suburbs that determined the outcome of elections in Virginia last Tuesday that flipped the General Assembly from red to blue.

November 12, 2019 - The New York Times

Tacoma Washington

Election 2019: Devastating Transportation Funding Loss in Pacific Northwest

Washington voters' approval of Initiative 976, which put a limit on car tab increases as well as repealing many motor vehicle fees, will have far-reaching consequences for funding road maintenance, transit, and bike and pedestrian projects.

November 9, 2019 - The Seattle Times

Polling Place

Election 2019: Planning and Development Related Results Roundup

Many states and cities around the country voted on November 5, 2019 to decide matters related to the future of the built environment.

November 6, 2019 - James Brasuell

Texas Commute

Opinion: Houston Should Vote Yes for MetroNext to Build Transit and Clean the Air

The executive director of Environment Texas makes the case for public transit as a key tool in improving air pollution in and around Houston. Houston voters will vote on the MetroNext bond referendum today.

November 5, 2019 - Houston Chronicle

Madrid Pedestrian Street

Driving Ban in Madrid Central Survives Despite Change of Leadership

In sharp contrast to France's yellow vest demonstrations against fuel tax hikes, Madrid residents took to the streets to keep them free of motor vehicles after new leaders were elected who vowed to rescind the driving ban enacted last November.

July 26, 2019 - CityLab

Supreme Court

Cities Lost Political Power in that 'Other' Supreme Court Ruling Last Month

On June 27, the Supreme Court didn't just rule on the Census Bureau's citizenship question. It also decided that it wasn't their business to consider how congressional districts are drawn, which will likely reduce the influence of cities.

July 7, 2019 - The New York Times

Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Housing on the Agenda as Philadelphia Election Approaches

In the run-up to a municipal primary scheduled for May 21, Philadelphia's City Council has introduced a range of bills to address housing affordability and tenants' rights.

April 13, 2019 - Next City

Chicago Mayor

Mayoral Election Likely to Have Consequences for Chicago Mega-Development

The most recent citywide election in Chicago was considered a referendum on the old way of operating the city. The $6 billion Lincoln Yards project, on the brink of approval, could be included in that referendum.

April 5, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Seattle Light Rail Construction

Voters Approved $30 Billion for Transportation This Election

Nationwide, voters approved nearly 70 percent of transportation ballot measures on the ballot.

November 10, 2018 - Eno Center for Transportation

Biking in India

Indian Politician Wins Use of Bicycle Imagery, Symbolizing 'Balance'

A political feud over the image of the bicycle has just been resolved in the state of Uttar Predesh.

January 24, 2017 - The New York Times

Old Timey Ticky Tacky

Tuesday's Election May Hinge on the Changing Demographics of Suburbs

Today's suburbs have changed dramatically from a generation ago. Younger, more diverse, and more liberal, they are "trending more Democratic." The PBS News Hour explores this critical demographic shift five days before Election Day.

November 7, 2016 - PBS NewsHour

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.

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