U.S. Department of Justice

Trump Administration

Trump Takes a Final Swipe at the Civil Rights Act

The Department of Justice has proposed a change to the interpretation of disparate impact in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and many anti-discrimination laws that followed.

January 7, 2021 - The Washington Post

Federal Government Intervenes to Halt Planned Supervised Injection Site in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania-based prosecutors and the Department of Justice in Washington are mounting a legal challenge to a proposed supervised injection site in the works in Philadelphia.

February 8, 2019 - WHYY

Air Pollution

EPA Enforcement Activities Hit 30-Year Low

Under the Trump administration, criminal prosecution of polluters is an historically rare activity.

January 21, 2019 - Associated Press

Campaign Rally

Sources: Trump Administration Considering an Attack on Disparate Impact

The Supreme Court upheld the disparate impact doctrine at the heart of fair housing rules, along with many other anti-discrimination policies, in 2015. Still, the Trump administration is looking for ways to undermine disparate impact.

January 9, 2019 - The Washington Post

Southwest Oregon

Surprise: Department of Justice Fights for an Expanded National Monument in Oregon

The U.S. Department of Justice is fighting a lawsuit that would overturn a decision by the Obama Administration to expand the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Southern Oregon.

July 27, 2018 - The Oregonian

EPA Loses Court Ruling After Failing to Identify Smog Nonattainment Regions

As a result of a federal court ruling on March 12, the Environmental Protection Administration will be compelled to do what it should have done by October 1: Identify regions of the country where the air quality violates smog standards.

March 18, 2018 - CALmatters

Redlining Map

Louisville Council Decision on Housing Development Subject of Discrimination Investigation

The U.S. Department of Justice is taking another look at a development decision made by the Louisville Metro Council in October 2017.

February 21, 2018 - Insider Louisville

Tailpipe

New Player in Dieselgate

Similar violation but new player—Fiat Chrysler, accused by U.S. EPA of willfully violating emissions standards for certain models of diesel Jeeps and Ram pickups. The charge comes a day after DOJ settled civil and criminal suits with Volkswagen.

January 13, 2017 - The New York Times

Birds Eye View of the George Washington Bridge

Bridgegate Implications for New Jersey and Beyond

In The New York Times Sunday Review, Matt Katz, a political reporter for WNYC and New Jersey Public Radio, gives an update on the federal trial for 'Bridgegate' and also paints a bleak picture for New Jersey, and maybe the United States.

October 3, 2016 - The New York Times - Sunday Review

Mosque

Department of Justice Steps in to Halt Religious Discrimination Through Zoning

As the U.S. Department of Justice takes action to protect the religious freedoms of Muslims in the United States, zoning decisions have proven a particularly common source of anxiety among Muslim communities.

August 10, 2016 - The New York Times

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Settles in Cheating Scandal to the Tune of $16 Billion

It's been less than a year since Volkswagen got caught installing software on cars to cheat emissions testing. Today the company settled out of court—paying the bulk of a $16 billion settlement to vehicle owners.

June 29, 2016 - KPCC

U.S. Department of Justice Bringing the Hammer Down on Volkswagen

A public apology wasn't going to cut it for Volkswagen after the car company was revealed to have cheated on emissions testing.

January 5, 2016 - U.S. Department of Justice

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.