Local Government

Local government yet to discover Paypal.

In Commerce, Criticism, Innovation, Internet, Local Government on 12 May 2008 with no comments

One of Terry Heaton’s criticisms of municipalities is that a lack of competition has kept them from adopting all those convenient little innovations that make internet commerce a relative breeze. It’s very difficult to find an online vendor asking you to use anything but your internet connection and a credit card to complete a transaction. [...]

High quality service provision is an economic development tool

In Commerce, Infrastructure, Local Government, Planning on 29 November 2007 with no comments

“The most important economic development tool in a municipal government’s toolbox is to do what you’re supposed to do: provide public services and do it well.” - Dr. John Matthews, in class tonight.
Forget tax incentives and selling your city’s soul for a Mercedes plant; firms are increasingly attracted by good roads, good police, good schools, [...]

Atlanta suburb elects white Republican to city council! Trust me, it’s newsworthy.

In Atlanta, Local Government, Politics, Social Progress on 28 November 2007 with no comments

Doraville [map, official, wiki], a suburb of Atlanta, has elected Brian Bates to city council. He meets three of the criteria for being a suburban politician in our state: he’s 1) white, 2) male, and 3) a Republican.
He’s also gay.
I’ve suspected real social progress would occur in Atlanta’s suburbs over the next decade, I just [...]

David Axe, on urban life in Mogadishu

In Africa, Axe, Local Government, Mogadishu, Slums, War on 27 November 2007 with 1 comment

David Axe, a good friend and fellow blogger, recently sent me the following guest post from Mogadishu [map, wiki].
Imagine a city with all the usual gripes: a growing population, ethnic tension, strained utilities, crime. Now cut off essentially all spending for 17 years. That’s right: no meaningful investment of any kind. No road repair. No [...]

Medellín is the new Bogota

In Bogota, Livability, Local Government, Medellín, Planning, Transportation on 15 November 2007 with 2 comments

It seems that common sense solutions are usually completely ignored by governments in Latin American cities, and it is refreshing to see that this isn´t the case with Medellín. The government is rebuilding its city for the inhabitants: they have discovered that when people have public spaces they can enjoy and where they can relax, [...]

Seattle cyclist shot in the lung by motorist

In Infrastructure, Local Government, Seattle, Transportation on 6 November 2007 with no comments

As Seattle grows and gas prices escalate, the city’s residents look for alternative ways to commute. Unfortunately for those who’ve discovered biking, the drivers are fighting back; one cyclist was recently shot in the lung with a BB gun. Now things are beginning to swing the cyclists’ way:
An expected City Council vote Monday on a [...]

The beautiful design for the new Prague library is under attack by the Czech president and the mayor of Prague

In Architecture, Design, Local Government, Prague on 29 October 2007 with no comments

Jan Kaplicky’s beautiful design for the new Prague library is under attack by both the Czech president and the mayor of Prague, reports Building Design Online.
But speaking to BD this week, Kaplicky — who last week took part in a head-to-head televised debate with the mayor — said that a forthcoming settlement between the warring [...]