Alive and kicking: Eminent Domain

Eminent domain lurks into the 21st century with today's ruling from New York's highest court "that the state can seize private property" for Bruce Ratner's, Atlantic Yards, 22-acre development. Bruce Ratner didn't just win a major battle for his Atlantic Yards project, his win will give new hope to developers when financing becomes available. This ruling is a huge 22-acre reminder that eminent domain is alive and well and that it is a still a reality.

Eminent domain will always be the big elephant in the room. People talk about it, they throw it around to make sure it isn't truly needed, but with all of the negative press around eminent domain, how is it that it still happens? And, for how long will it be allowed to remain an option? If it does remain an option, how can government bodies properly manage it? Unfortunately, it's not a simple answer, it really depends on who you ask and the particulars of a given project.

More info: Ruling Lets Atlantic Yards Seize Land, New York Times

I'm prepping...to Plan

I'm finally going to do it...I'm finally going to apply to grad school for a Master's in Planning.

There are variations of the actual M.A. varies from institution to institution put for my goals these are the ones that have captured my interest:

• Master's in City Planning
• Master's in Environmental Design
• Master's in Urban Planning
• Master's in City and Regional Planning

I'm excited, I'm on the edge...but I'm still super excited. The next two months are going to be very intense, but I am taking everyday day by day.