Opinions

Zoning Reform Skepticism
Ending single-family zoning, as more cities around the United States have begun to do, is too extreme a response to contemporary planning challenges, according to a recent opinion piece published by the East Bay Times.

Looking Ahead and Way Back as the U.S. Passes 200,000 Coronavirus Deaths
It's been eight months since the first confirmed infection from the novel coronavirus in Washington state. As deadly as COVID-19 is, Americans should reflect when 200,000 died in a single month from a far deadlier virus 102 years ago.

Mask Mandates Without Enforcement Amount to Half-Measures
Issuing a ticket to a pedestrian for not wearing a mask in Miami is like issuing a ticket to a motorist for not wearing a seatbelt, states a specially-detailed Miami police officer. Welcome to the "new normal" in this coronavirus hotspot.

Scrutinizing the Reality of Bernie's Energy and Climate Plans
CNN host Fareed Zakaria questions whether the goals of Sanders' ambitious Green New Deal are realistic.

Smart Growth America Promotes the Transportation and Climate Initiative
Former Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening penned a local opinion for The Washington Post in support of the TCI to advance funding of alternatives to driving and ask readers to shape the controversial initiative by submitting comments by Feb. 28.

Opinion Writers Oppose Trump's Proposed Changes to Fair Housing Laws
A former housing and urban development secretary and a professor of sociology oppose the Trump administration's proposed changes to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule.

Calling for Parking Reform in Dallas
An onion piece published by D Magazine makes an argument for less burdensome parking requirements as a way to deliver more affordable housing options in Dallas' housing stock.

Small Business, Co-Op Apartments Mixed Up in New York Bill
The debate about the Small Business Jobs Survival Act continues in New York City.

Connecting Public Health to Public Transit
Four chiefs of hospitals in the Detroit area pen an opinion piece in support of public transit as a key factor in public health outcomes.

Two Housing Bills Will Exacerbate California's Housing Shortage
SB 35 (Wiener) and AB 199 (Chu) make it more costly to build housing by requiring prevailing wages where applicable, pleasing construction unions but making affordable housing less affordable, opines CALmatters political columnist, Dan Walters.

Op-Ed: Out-Of-Town Architects Miss a Huge Opportunity
A Cleveland architect offers a scathing critique of the design choices made by one of the city's cultural institutions.

Seeking a Voice for Suburban Transit Interests in Dallas
An advocate for the Cotton Belt line to connect Dallas with suburbs to the north is tired of the project taking a backseat to the transit interests of the urban core.
Renewable Natural Gas and Electricity Should Power Los Angeles Bus Fleet
It's not one or the other but both, argues Denny Zane of Move LA in a guest commentary for the Los Angeles Daily News about the decision that Los Angeles County Metro will make on June 22 on the future of the nation's second largest bus fleet.
A Deadly Crash Is an Accident Because it Isn't Terrorism
Cable news networks interrupted broadcasts on Thursday morning with breaking news: a vehicle had just driven three block on the sidewalks in Times Square, New York, resulting in massive casualties. Anchors asked, "Was it terrorism or an accident?"

Fuel Efficiency Just Became Much More Important
Two widely cited University of Michigan transportation researchers urge consumers to drive more fuel efficient vehicles to reduce their own carbon emissions as President Trump works to relax vehicle fuel economy standards.

Why Elon Musk Is Wrong about His Boring Solution to L.A.'s Traffic Congestion
Herbie Huff of the UCLA's Lewis Center and Institute of Transportation Studies pens a well-reasoned opinion for the Los Angeles Times as to why a market-based strategy to manage demand is the best approach to traffic congestion in Los Angeles.

Duany on the Imperatives of Urban Design Codes
Andres Duany takes to the CNU's Public Square to argue for the critical need for codes in a built environment awash in mediocrity.
Trainjacking America's Finance Industry
Acela has improved connectivity along the Northeast Corridor, but is that actually a good thing? Aaron M. Renn argues that high-speed rail has actually hurt America by giving the finance industry a stranglehold over fiscal and monetary policies.
Poltical Courage & Raising The Gas Tax
Another column by New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman on the need to raise the gas tax - in this one, he compares the U.S. to Europe and concludes that the former are 'wimps' for not having the courage to raise gas or carbon taxes.
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