Environment

Visualizing Worst-Case Scenario Sea Level Rise on the Texas Coast
Much of the state political leadership in Texas has been slow to accept the existence of climate change, much less the role of the state's economy, land use, and infrastructure planning in exacerbating the crisis. Maybe this will help wake them up?

A New Resilience Strategy for Toronto
Toronto is preparing for the worst of climate change, but also the stresses of affordability, congestion, and aging infrastructure.

Dakota Access Pipeline Owners Win Eminent Domain Appeal in Iowa Supreme Court
The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling that found that the Iowa Utilities Board was justified in giving the private owners of the Dakota Access Pipeline the use of eminent domain. Climate change was considered in the ruling.

LEED Spells Rent Premiums in D.C.
In the multi-family residential market of Washington, D.C., LEED-certified buildings ask higher rents of residents.

Revealed: Three Park Design Proposals for Key L.A. River Parcel
Three design proposals have been unveiled for the Taylor Yards parcel along the L.A. River.

Vancouver Official Says Pollution and Housing Shouldn't Mix
A motion in Vancouver, British Columbia, calls for reconsidering policies that site multifamily buildings on busy trucking corridors where diesel emissions are high.

Living Shorelines for Storm and Flood Protection
More coastal cities and communities are turning to the "soft" solutions of living shorelines—relying on "a combination of oyster reefs, oyster shells, rocks, marsh plants, and other natural materials can be an effective alternative to seawalls."

Copenhagen Update: On-Street Auto Parking Replaced by Bike Parking
Copenhagen may have already met its bicycling goal of 50 percent of modal share for commuting, but it needs to improve the share for all trips. With less funding available, the city is pursuing low cost strategies, such as auto parking removal.

Water Situation Changes for Sprawling Phoenix-Area Development, Delayed by the Recession
The Phoenix metropolitan area is growing again, but the water supply isn't. Many development plans derailed by the Great Recession won't find it easy to start where they left off.

Nancy Pelosi Not the Only Powerful California Woman Disrupting the Trump Administration
No issue is more important to California's air and climate regulators than ensuring that the state retains its ability to set tailpipe emission standards. Mary Nichols, the head of the Air Resources Board, has threatened to ban tailpipes.

Opinion: Funding for N.Y.C. Parks Should Be a Priority
New York City parks are in desperate need of maintenance and infrastructure improvements, and the city should make investments now to support these essential public spaces.

How Much Should Electric Vehicles Be Charged in Lieu of Gas Tax?
Currently, electric vehicles pay a $17.50 annual registration fee in Illinois. A bill to double the 19 cents per gallon gas tax, unchanged in almost 30 years, would also increase the EV fee over 57-fold to $1,000.

Report: Many States Spent Volkswagen Settlement Money on More Diesel Vehicles
When Volkswagen funded a $3 billion environmental mitigation trust as the result of a settlement in the cheating scandal three years ago, states could have used that money to fund things like electric buses.

The Ohio 'Clean Air' Energy Bill Cuts Out Wind and Solar Credits
Nuclear power is the big winner in a new comprehensive energy bill moving through the State Legislature in Ohio.

The Uncertain Flood Zone
Communities need accurate maps and more access to data to increase flood resilience—but right now FEMA's not providing that.

Asthma and Planning
Re-evaluating the role of planning in creating, and reversing, disturbing public health outcomes, like asthma rates among African-Americans in Philadelphia.

As EV Sales Soar, Transportation Emissions Continue to Increase
California has embraced electric vehicles like no other state, with success reflected in increased sales and registration data, yet transportation emissions have increased for the last four years, primarily from light-duty vehicles.

The Threat of Urban Flooding in Chicago
Chicago residents living in low-lying parts of the city dread the rainfall that too often brings flooding.

Environmentalists Urge Gov. Ron DeSantis to Veto Florida Toll Roads Bill
Florida has the distinction of having more toll roads than any other state. Environmentalists want Gov. DeSantis (R) to veto a bill that would build three new ones, adding over three hundred miles of asphalt through mostly rural, unpopulated areas.

And Now, Some Good News for the Environment
It's not all gloom and doom for the environment.
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