Posts tagged Politics
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Byron Brown on cities in politics
Echoing many of the same points I just made in my last post is this AlterNet interview with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, who argues that the early primaries in non-urban states diminishes the discussion of urban issues: Keep reading…
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What’s wrong with empowering cities?
Discussing the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, Illinois Republican and NPV supporter Kirk Dillard said, “I’ve studied a myth among some Republicans that this empowers cities. The statistics do not bear that out.” Wait, Kirk, what’s wrong with empowering cities? Do all Republicans, or even Illinois Republicans, feel that cities should… Keep reading…
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Cities are more than just poverty
John Edwards has a plan to “revitalize urban America.” It encompasses many important goals, like creating affordable housing, ending poverty, and reducing crime. But this agenda also belies a common conception, especially among liberals, that equates cities with poor minority people, that helping cities means helping the poor, and uses the language of charity… Keep reading…
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Racial politics kept College Park Metro far from campus
It may be an urban myth that racism kept Metro out of Georgetown (while many residents did oppose a station, Metro planners hadn’t included the neighborhood in initial plans in the first place), but according to a graduate paper from 1994 that Rethink College Park found and put online, it played a significant role in the decision to locate College Park’s Green Line stop… Keep reading…
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Georgetown never blocked a Metro stop
Conventional wisdom says that the Washington DC Metro was supposed to go to Georgetown (after all, it barely misses it between Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom), but NIMBY residents in the 1970s blocked the station. But it’s not true. Keep reading…
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Conservatives for congestion pricing
“I can’t believe I’m saying these words,” wrote Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, “but I applaud the Bush Administration for their forward thinking on the issue of congestion and thank them for their willingness to work with local governments to address their unique problems.”… Keep reading…
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Even Beverly Hills wants a subway
That’s a headline you were very unlikely to see twenty, ten, or even five years ago, but things have changed. The LA Times is reporting that city officials are working to make sure that a subway through the Westside includes stops in Beverly Hills. “‘There is an incredible sea change of attitude from resistance to support for the subway,’ said… Keep reading…
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Bravo Gale
For many reasons, some known, some not known, the New York City Department of Transportation is still mostly stuck in the SimCity Classic phase of urban planning thinking, closer to Robert Moses than Jane Jacobs. While they did recently suggest, to the surprise of many observers, converting a segment of Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn to be pedestrian-only, DOT Commissioner… Keep reading…
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A conservative take on the importance of public spaces
Consider two groups of people, both of whom call themselves “conservatives.” One is the Republicans of Bush, Frist, DeLay, Enron, and the oil companies. They believe that unregulated business and low taxes are the cures for all ills. They also claim to believe in small government, but they really believe in big government that gives subsidies,… Keep reading…
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Congestion pricing: an idea whose time is coming
Congestion pricing in Manhattan below 60th Street is “being whispered in the ears of City Hall officials” according to the Times (in an article written by Sewell Chan!) It’s an idea that keeps popping up, for the simple reason that it’s an obvious, huge win. The only obstacles are inertia, and Queens councilmembers representing a small minority… Keep reading…