Environment

Cans

Recycling Is Cancelled

Trouble in the global market means trouble at home when it comes to recycling. Municipalities are having trouble paying the extra cost for recycling programs as China stops accepting U.S. waste.

March 19, 2019 - The New York Times

Low-Energy Lightbulb

Light Bulbs, a Key Factor in National Energy Savings

Improved light bulbs have led to huge decreases in residential energy use. Changes to federal standards, however, will likely stymie future progress.

March 16, 2019 - The New York Times

Sangre de Cristo Mountains

A Direct Line From Forest Management to Water Supply

Urban water suppliers have had to learn quickly that fire ecology is a major concern in maintaining a secure water supply system.

March 15, 2019 - Yale Environment 360

Fargo, North Dakota

Stormwater Project the First Public-Private Partnership for the Army Corps

A $2.75 billion plan to build a channel for flood waters around Fargo, North Dakota is described as one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the country.

March 13, 2019 - Governing

A Black woman stands in front of a home holding an umbrella and smiling.

Five Years of 100 Resilient Cities

It's been five years since the Rockefeller Foundation launched the 100 Resilient Cities initiative. A new analysis by the Urban Institute evaluates the accomplishments of 100 Resilient Cities so far.

March 13, 2019 - 100 Resilient Cities

Shipping Container Housing

Shipping Container Farms Growing in the U.S.

Hydroponic farming company Square Roots will expand thanks to a partnership with Gordon Foods.

March 12, 2019 - Curbed

President Donald Trump

Trump's Budget Would Cut Funding for HUD, Transportation, EPA, More

Presidential budgets usually arrive with zero chance of being adopted without changes, but still important to consider as a reflection of the Executive Branch's priorities.

March 11, 2019 - The Washington Post

Electric Charging Stations

U.S. Risks Becoming Backwater for Electric Vehicle Sales

Auto analyst John Voelcker discusses the electric vehicle market in the U.S. on NPR. Ominous clouds belie the excellent sales figures for last year, and policies pushed by Trump only ensure that motor vehicles will continue to gulp more gasoline.

March 11, 2019 - NPR

New York City, New York

Preventing Crime, One Park at a Time

Deborah Marton, executive director of the New York Restoration Project, connects parks and open space to improved public safety.

March 11, 2019 - Deborah Marton

Car Production Line

Auto Industry Reluctant to Support Trump Plan to Freeze Fuel Economy Standards

The auto industry appears to be balking at supporting the Trump administration's plan to freeze vehicle emission standards at 2020 levels even though they initially asked Trump to loosen the rigorous Obama-era fuel efficiency rule that goes to 2026.

March 10, 2019 - The Washington Post

Environmental Destruction

Land Use Linked to Mass Species Extinction

A new study puts a number of the risk of land use to the planet's biodiversity.

March 9, 2019 - Quartz

Water Storage

Surface Storage Skepticism

California has used all its good dam sites, according to this column. And dams are unaffordable.

March 8, 2019 - The Mercury News

Youth Protest

The Climate Change Lawsuit That Won't Go Away

The now-famous children's lawsuit, featured on 60 Minutes last Sunday, was not filed against President Trump—he just inherited it from his predecessor. Both administrations have tried to have the case dismissed.

March 6, 2019 - CBS News: 60 Minutes

California Governor

Yes, Trump Can Recoup the $3.5 Billion Awarded to California High-Speed Rail

The beleaguered project is still very much alive, despite some media claims to the contrary. As for the Trump administration's claim to two grants awarded to the now-$77 billion project, the state has a deadline to meet if it wants to keep them.

March 4, 2019 - Capital Public Radio

Utah Public Lands

Op-Ed: Congress Passes Public Lands Bill, Ducks Harder Questions

The Natural Resources Management Act enjoyed bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. But it left out contentious issues like wildfires, greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting wildlife corridors.

March 4, 2019 - High Country News

Wastewater California

California Bill Would Increase Wastewater Recycling

In California, a billion gallons of water ends up in the ocean every day. A new bill seeks to curb this practice by requiring treatment facilities to increase recycling and reuse efforts.

March 2, 2019 - Los Angeles Daily News

ng1_3717

Renewables Accelerator to Help Cities With Transition to Clean Energy

Cities across the country have ambitious goals to move to renewable energy, but support at the federal level is lacking. A new program will assist cities with procurement and regulation of renewables.

March 1, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

California

California's Push to Electrify Its Building Stock

Developers, environmentalists, and other experts discussed the challenge of achieving all-electric homes and businesses at VerdeXchange 2019.

March 1, 2019 - The Planning Report

recycling

Recyclables Headed to Incinerators or Landfills

China's decision to halt imports of most recyclables from the United States has caused turmoil. With few markets for their recyclables, Philadelphia is sending half of them to a waste-to-energy incinerator in Chester not designed to burn them.

March 1, 2019 - The Guardian

Green New Deal

Climate Action and the Green New Deal: Interview with Rep. Mike Levin

Long before winning the congressional seat in California's 49th District, Mike Levin advocated for clean energy and a green economy.

February 28, 2019 - The Planning Report

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.