Public Policy

Photo by Raul Pacheco-Vega licensed under Creative Commons

The many local governments in the Washington region take actions every day that affect our downtowns and neighborhoods and the quality of life in our cities and counties. Greater Greater Washington writes about the public policies that influence our region and how they promote (or prevent) a growing, inclusive region with walkable urban neighborhoods.

Many different types of public policy influence where and how people live, work, and play. Education, which is one of the biggest reasons people choose a place,can help ensure the success of the next generation. And the environment is vital to preserving a livable region for our descendants.

Public safety and social justice issues affect how people of different backgrounds interact in our public places and whether people feel welcome. Health, food, and jobs are all vital parts of making our region thrive. And our governments make many budgetary and fiscal decisions that shape all of this.

  • Weekend links: Tall poles and walkability

    Giant stone pole needs massive security?; Really tall pole for your phone?; Non-ugly building joining 14th Street; DC’s good for more than just politics; Walkable is desirable; LaHood on livability; Remaking the market; From seedy to trendy; Flat roofs.  Keep reading…

  • For ANC in Ward 1

    Ward 1 is DC’s densest, and gentrifying row house neighborhoods make up the majority of the ward. Retail, parking, and transit are all key issues in its numerous commercial corridors, and local ANCs play a big role.   Keep reading…

  • Should the FTA regulate urban transit agencies?

    Imagine if Metro had to pay a fine for every safety standard violation.  What if Metro officials and operators lost licenses to work in transit if they repeatedly violated safety standards?  These ideas could become reality if the FTA gains the ability to regulate public transit agencies.  And while many Washingtonians regard this as a no-brainer, there are…  Keep reading…

  • Overreactions already beginning to nonexistent bomb plot

    Following news that the FBI orchestrated its own, fake Metro bombing plot to catch a potential terrorist, Metro transit police are already pondering instituting useless “security theater” methods like random bag searches. Bag searches look good but don’t do anything. Anyone can simply turn around and enter a different station. If someone wanted to bomb…  Keep reading…

  • Breakfast links: Down in the tunnels

    Entrance’s prospects still foggy; Where’s the “safety culture”?; NextBus and reroutes don’t mix; If transit causes gentrification, why not in PG?; Green Fort Lincoln (except the parking ocean); Road closures in DC this weekend; Questions about place.  Keep reading…

  • For ANC in northern Ward 6

    Northern Ward 6 contains the rapidly-growing Mount Vernon Triangle, NoMA and H Street areas. These are some of the most dynamic in DC and very likely will see the greatest amount of change in the near term. Development is coming to the rail yards north of Union Station, a number of vacant lots in NoMa and the Mount Vernon Triangle are getting filled in, a streetcar is coming to H Street,…  Keep reading…

  • Metro security on the radio

    The Center for Public Integrity’s John Solomon and I discussed Metro security on the Kojo Nnamdi show today. We didn’t quite get time to get into the photography angle, but both agreed that resources are best spent on police officers and investigators to catch potential terrorists, not on “security theater” (or as John called it, “sugar pills”)…  Keep reading…

  • For ANC in Ward 8

    Ward 8, the poorest ward in DC and often the most misunderstood or overlooked, needs a voice. It needs strong community leaders who want to devote their energy to improving the ward’s neighborhoods and building consensus among residents.   Keep reading…

  • Breakfast links: Governors versus transit

    Purple Line money’s there, just not there; Christie cancels ARC, again; Another near miss on Metro uncovered; Where will Ward 8 go?; What to do with Bruce Monroe?; How to make ANCs lean less anti; Old Town Alexandria meters get cheaper; Use a car tire to inflate a bike tire; And….  Keep reading…

  • Suspected terrorist no reason to fear photography

    Yesterday, the news broke that an Ashburn, Virginia man was allegedly planning to detonate explosives on the Metro. The alleged plotter, Farooque Ahmed, was arrested for providing material support to a terrorist organization. According to the FBI, the public was never in danger. Apparently, agents of the Bureau posed as members of al-Qaeda as a part of the investigation. The…  Keep reading…

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