Federal Funding

Redevelopment

Authorization of Federal Bronwnfields Program Moves Forward in Congress

The U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 3017 last week, which would extend the U.S. EPA brownfields through 2022.

December 4, 2017 - Smart Growth America

Stormwater

One Way Washington Could Move Forward on Infrastructure

The WIFIA federal loans program provides start-up capital to local water infrastructure projects. The program is designed to encourage experimentation and cost-effective construction strategies.

August 17, 2017 - Brookings

Can Insurance Markets Jump-Start Resilience?

Risk-management experts are seeking creative ways to finance resilience investments that prevent damage from natural disasters. Insurance markets, with their direct stake in protecting homes and businesses, can be key partners in this effort.

March 24, 2017 - Doggerel

HUD

HUD: The Basics on an Embattled Agency

HUD has a complicated and controversial history, and it's all coming into play as the Trump Administration proposes funding cuts and installs problematic leadership.

March 20, 2017 - Curbed

Train Tracks Los Angeles

U.S. Cities Brace to Lose Infrastructure Funding Over Immigration Policies

Politico explores some of the projects that could be scrapped as a result of being located in sanctuary cities.

March 2, 2017 - Politico

2016 TIGER Grants

2016 TIGER Grants Award $484 Million to 40 Winning Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the latest round of TIGER grants on July 28.

August 3, 2016 - Engineering News-Record

2015 Wildfire Season Breaks Records—Congress Sticks With the Status Quo

Congress could have had a landmark moment—but it stopped short of passing the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act. Meanwhile the wildfire season is wrapping up as the most expensive ever.

December 19, 2015 - USA Today

New Orleans Aerial

New Orleans Public Housing in Decade-Long Stall

In the aftermath of Katrina, President Obama's Choice Neighborhoods initiative promised thousands of new affordable units. But so far the Housing Authority of New Orleans hasn't proved up to the task.

July 6, 2015 - Next City

Baltimore Rail

Op-Ed: Maryland Governor Is No Friend to Transit

According to this editorial, Governor Larry Hogan's decision to halt a planned $2.9 billion light rail line betrays a politically-motivated preference for roads.

June 30, 2015 - Baltimore Sun

Cost of River Restoration Project Rising Quickly in Los Angeles

Questions are emerging about the funding equation for an ambitious $1 billion proposal to improve 11 miles of the Los Angeles River through some of the most urban parts of the city.

March 26, 2015 - Los Angeles Times

Powerful Political Forces Aligning Against Southwest Light Rail in Minneapolis

One of the most heavily-contested transit projects in the United States, the Southwest light rail line in the metropolitan Twin Cities area, is encountering increased levels of political opposition.

January 12, 2015 - MPR News

State Transportation Funding Falling Faster than Federal Transportation Funding

A new analysis form the Pew Charitable Trusts showed a 20 percent reduction in state spending on transportation between 2002 and 2011, compared to a 4 percent drop from the federal government over the same period.

September 26, 2014 - Governing

The Danger of Federal Money for Local Projects

Scott Beyer provides four reasons why federal money is the wrong policy mechanism for delivering the best possible transportation outcomes in the United States.

August 29, 2014 - Next City

City Council Hearing Prompts Opposition to Minneapolis' Light Rail Plans

The Southwest Corridor light-rail project appeared before the Minneapolis City Council last week, which prompted James Linbeck to write a scathing op-ed in opposition to the project.

August 28, 2014 - Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Incredible, Rising Cost of Forest Fires

The kicker in a recent article about the current realities of forest fires—and the cost of fighting them—in the United States: The federal government spends 624 percent more on fires than it did 20 years ago.

July 29, 2014 - The Washington Post - Wonkblog

Congress' Head-in-the-Sand Approach to Fire Management

The way Congress has appropriated funds for the prevention of forest fires, and fighting forest fires when they occur, guarantees that they will become more costly and dangerous in the future.

May 21, 2014 - Vox

Secretary Foxx Talks Funding (and Possibly Tolling)

A recent article by Yonah Freemark details the policy agenda of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, the former mayor of Charlotte and successor of well-regarded Transportation Secretary Ray La Hood.

April 26, 2014 - Metropolitan Planning Council - The Connector

How Infrastructure Investment Became Political Fodder

Andrea Bernstein traces how, in four short years, partisan politics have infected discussions about investment in infrastructure.

September 25, 2012 - Transportation Nation

Will D.C. Stand Up for America's Cities?

In his column Urban Nation, Harry Moroz argues for deeper involvement from the federal government in urban policy in order to give American cities the fighting chance they deserve to be healthy and enjoyable places to live.

September 19, 2012 - Next American City

Senate Approves Federal Funding for NJ Rail Tunnel

Despite cancelling the ARC Tunnel project last year, New Jersey may build an alternative tunnel using U.S. Senate funding.

November 15, 2011 - TheCityFix.com

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.