property taxes

Homesteading 2010

A small town in Nebraska is reviving the Homestead Act, offering plots of land to people in order to cash in on property taxes down the line. Other places are following suit.

July 26, 2010 - The New York Times

Property Tax Revenue Downturn Hurting Cities

The economic recession is lightening up in some areas, but cities and municipalities will continue to struggle with the downturn in the economy for years, mainly because of falling property tax revenues.

July 15, 2010 - NPR

New Jersey Caps Property Tax Increases

Lawmakers in New Jersey have approved a bill that will limit annual property tax increases to 2%.

July 14, 2010 - The New York Times

California's Troubles Not the Fault of Prop 13

This article from City Journal suggests that California's much-reviled Proposition 13 limits on increases in property tax is not at fault for the state's crippling fiscal situation.

June 30, 2010 - City Journal

California's Prop 13 Benefits Older Generations, Punishes Younger

A new study from USC concludes that the benefits of California's Prop. 13, which froze property tax rates, are unequally distributed among generations of homebuyers.

September 28, 2009 - Urban Planning Research Blog

Killing the Community Preservation Act

Three Massachusetts towns are looking to kill a 3% property tax that has been funding open space purchases, historic restoration, and affordable housing construction.

April 10, 2009 - The Boston Globe

Cities To Take Hit As Property Taxes Drop

As the economy dives and housing values plummet, revenue from property taxes is expected to fall over the next few years, making things tough for many cities.

February 23, 2009 - Governing

The Cautionary Tale of Vallejo

Vallejo, CA declared bankruptcy last spring, felled by fiscal mismanagement and falling property taxes. Cities around the country are looking to Vallejo's example as they teeter near the edge.

November 26, 2008 - Governing Magazine

Preserving Land to Save Money

Voters in suburban Minnesota will vote on whether to invest $10 million to preserve a closed golf course. Or they could save the $10 million and allow a developer to build houses. But many say it will be cheaper in the long term to buy now.

October 22, 2008 - Minnesota Public Radio

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.