Environment

Algae Bloom Shutting Down Mississippi Beaches
The Gulf Coast is facing the environmental threat of algae blooms that cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

The Surprising Benefit of Pop-Up Parks to Bio-Diversity
A new study finds that interim recreational use of underutilized sections of crowded cities can benefit more than just humans.

'Grim' Choices Facing California as the Pacific Ocean Rises
The Los Angeles Times published a massively ambitious account of the sea-level threat facing California.

To Solve Climate Change: Plant a Trillion Trees
A new study suggests planting enough trees to cover a landmass the size of the United States.

Scarce National Park Fee Money Will Fund Today's 'Salute to America'
The Trump administration's lack of concern for the National Park Service's growing maintenance backlog will be on display today, along with everything else.

Where, and Why, Allergies Are Worst
Your senses (or lack thereof) aren't deceiving you. Some cities really are worse for seasonal allergies than others, and some of the reasons are entirely preventable.

Air Quality Slips After Decades of Progress
Southern California has long been leader in air quality management, but lately the news has not been good.

The Search for Natural Silence
With more cars on roads and planes in the sky than ever before, finding truly noise-free places with pure natural sounds has become ever more challenging.

Climate Crisis, Housing Crisis on a Collision Course
Sprawl might relieve the housing crisis, but it would also exacerbate the climate crisis. Tough choices will be necessary in regions like San Diego, where the question of where to accommodate growth is very much in question.

20 Years of Dam Removal Projects
Dam removal has its benefits, according to the example set by a particularly historic dam removal in the United States, which took place on July 1, 1999.

What Went Wrong With Oregon's Climate Bill?
The Oregon Climate Action Program, which would have priced carbon emissions by establishing a cap-and-trade program similar to the one in California, was defeated on Saturday, the penultimate day of the 2019 legislative session.

More Detail on What Happened to 100 Resilient Cities
The Rockefeller Foundation has cited costs and a new strategic direction to explain why it abruptly cut off the program this year. While the work may live on in some form, the move underscores the risks of relying on private funding.

Op-Ed: 'Mammoth' New Parking Garages Belie Seattle's Green Talk
"Seattle is still a car town at heart," Danny Westneat writes, pointing to a number of gargantuan new parking garages like the 2,300-stall complex at Expedia's new headquarters.

Paddling the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, 50 Years After in Burned
One of the great environmental success stories in the nation, manifested by the joy of paddling a river.

New Jersey to Price Carbon Emissions from Electricity Generation
When the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection adopted new rules for power plants on June 17, the Garden State becomes the tenth to participate in a cap-and-trade program known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Urban Planning and the Democratic Debate Field
The Democratic Party will hold a two-day debate event, starting tonight. It's time to brush up on the positions of the leading candidates on policies and politics relate to housing, climate change, and infrastructure.

Nation's Largest Offshore Wind Farm Gets Green Light From New Jersey
There are still approvals necessary to get to the finish line, but the Ocean Wind offshore wind project took a big step forward late last week.

Saving Habitat: Just as Much for Humans as for Everything Else
Edward O. Wilson, famed for pressing for the conservation of half of the planet's land and oceans, recently turned 90 years old.

Carbon Neutrality: What Does it Mean, and Is it Possible?
Are 'zero carbon' goals the most effective way to cut greenhouse gases, or are they the most politically feasible strategies? NPR climate and environment reporter, Nathan Rott, explores the challenge in an interview on All Things Considered.

As the Mississippi River Rises, So Does the Threat to New Orleans
Climate change and channelization have made high water levels the norm along the river. But low-lying New Orleans lies in its path, and the consequences could be monumental.
Pagination
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service