Environment

Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy made landfall at 8pm ET on October 29, 2012 about 5 miles southwest of Atlantic City, NJ, as seen in this NOAA GOES-13 satellite colorized infrared image from the same time.

Jail the Planners for Not Preventing Sandy!

Ed Blakely indicts the planning profession for failing to protect our communities from the threat of a changing climate. How can we plan places that serve as bulwarks from the worst physical traumas, while providing economic and social resiliency?

November 5, 2012 - Edward J. Blakely

Large banyan tree in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Test Article 14

Test

April 8, 2025 - Todd Litman

Military humvee driving through gate at Fort Indiantown Gap Natl Guard training center in Pennsylvania surrounded by winter trees and dead leaves.

Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species

The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.

February 24, 2025 - Esri Blog

Large banyan tree in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Growing Green: How Parks and Trees Shape Honolulu’s Future

Honolulu is expanding its urban tree canopy through community-driven park revitalization efforts, emphasizing the environmental, social, and cultural benefits of trees in creating a more resilient and equitable city.

February 23, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Aerial view of dense historic urban area of Bradford, United Kingdom.

Clean Air Zone Nets Health Authority Over £30K per Month

A new study links the zone to a 25 percent drop in GP visits for lung and heart conditions in its first year alone.

February 20, 2025 - The Guardian

Orange and black "Road Closed" and "High Water" signs blocking a flooded roadway in Florida after a hurricane.

FEMA Suspends Flood Rebuilding Standard

The rule was designed to prevent the rebuilding of government-funded projects in areas prone to repeated floods.

February 20, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Firefighter in yellow uniform stands in grassy field monitoring wildfire in the Everglades, Florida.

Federal Funding Cuts Spark Concern Among Wildland Firefighters

Federal firefighting forces, already underresourced, are being slashed even as wildfires become a year-round problem.

February 19, 2025 - Pro Publica

Downtown Los Angeles viewed from Echo Park with lake with artesian fountain in foreground.

A Sustainable Future for LA: Updating the OurCounty Plan

Los Angeles County is updating its Sustainability Plan to refine its vision for climate action, environmental justice, and community well-being, with residents encouraged to participate by taking the OurCounty 2025 Update Community Survey.

February 19, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Close-up of narge eucalyptus tree.

Rethinking Fire-Resistant Landscaping: Which Trees Should We Plant?

Fire experts emphasize the need to replace highly flammable trees like Mexican fan palms and eucalyptus with fire-resistant species such as oak, sycamore, and toyon, while also strengthening home fire defenses to reduce wildfire risks in California.

February 18, 2025 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Small trees on city sidewlak with glass buildings in background.

Urban Forestry as a Pathway to Equity and Opportunity

Urban forestry job training programs are creating economic opportunities for underrepresented individuals while addressing workforce shortages and advancing tree equity in communities most impacted by environmental disparities.

February 17, 2025 - American Forests

Brick "USC University of Southenr California"  sign at entrance to campus

Sustainability Expert Becomes Dean of USC’s School of Public Policy

Chris Boone, a sustainability leader, becomes dean of the USC Price School of Public Policy, where he aims to advance interdisciplinary solutions and sustainability initiatives while building on the school’s legacy of public policy leadership.

February 17, 2025 - USC Today

Wildfire recovery area with small trees growing in burn areas in Angeles National Forest in California.

Resilient Communities, Healthy Ecosystems: A Balanced Approach to Wildfires

Effective wildfire mitigation in California requires a holistic approach that goes beyond large-scale vegetation removal, emphasizing home hardening, defensible space, strategic planning, and reducing human-caused ignitions.

February 16, 2025 - UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge

Aerial view of Kapi'olani Community College in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Community Colleges: A Pathway for Native Hawaiian Achievement and Growth

The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges provide Native Hawaiian students with transformative educational experiences, integrating academic success, cultural identity, and strong community support to help them find purpose and thrive.

February 14, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

Los Angeles, California skyline against mountains at sunset.

Building Resilient Communities: Insights from the LA County Cities Summit

The Los Angeles County Cities Summit convened local leaders to share strategies for advancing sustainability, addressing climate resilience, extreme heat, and other pressing environmental challenges through policy and community-driven solutions.

February 14, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Native American ruins at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in winter with snow.

BLM Approves Controversial Oil and Gas Leases on Navajo Land

The parcels are located near a sensitive archaeological site, but some Indigenous leaders approve of the move, which will bring in millions in revenue.

February 13, 2025 - High Country News

Community engagement event held outdoors to evaluate opinions on the renovation of MacGregor Park in Houston, Texas.

Public and Private Collaboration Advances Park Development in Houston

Houston may be known to some as a concrete jungle, but its greenspaces continue to expand thanks to combined support from the public, private, and philanthropic sectors.

February 13, 2025 - Beth White

Man sitting in chair along River Seine in Paris with fishing pole.

River Seine ‘Teeming’ With Life

Decades of restoration efforts are yielding positive results as dozens of species of fish return to the once-polluted waterway.

February 11, 2025 - Reasons to Be Cheerful

View of wooded area and homes in Altadena, California with hills and downtown Los Angeles, California in the distance.

Half of Altadena’s Black Homes Lost or Damaged in Eaton Fire

The community has higher Black homeownership rates than most of Los Angeles, but now faces an uncertain future as residents struggle to rebuild.

February 9, 2025 - The Guardian

Street with two-story buildings in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii.

Population and Economic Shifts in the Wake of the Maui Wildfires

The 2023 Maui wildfires have caused significant out-migration, reduced in-migration, and substantial economic losses, reshaping the island’s population and straining its recovery efforts.

February 6, 2025 - University of Hawai'i News

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.