Environment
Waste Management Best Practices (And Their Impact on Urban Planning)
Urban planners can play a role in ensuring the best possible waste management practices are implemented whenever possible.
Lake Erie Granted Legal Rights by Voters
Toledo, Ohio held a special election for voters to decide on the Lake Erie Bill of Rights.
Seattle Could Be at the Forefront of the Mass Timber Industry
Cross-laminated timber offers a multitude of environmental and economic benefits. With the state’s resources and Seattle’s construction needs, the city is the ideal location for mass timber production to take off.
White House Ends Talks with California Over Fuel Efficiency Standards
Ending the talks means litigation will have to settle the conflict over the two standards: California and 12 other states continue to use the Obama-era standard of 36 mpg by 2025, while the administration's rule freezes standards at 2020, or 29 mpg.
$738 Million Parks Levy on the Ballot for Seattle Area Voters
King County, Washington voters will vote on a parks levy reauthorization in August—at stake is $738 million over the six years to fund improvements to the Seattle area's parks, trails, and open space.
Electric Vehicle-Ready Parking Proposed for All New Seattle Buildings
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan proposed new electric vehicle parking requirements in the recent State of the City address, but the proposal is in keeping with the Seattle Climate Action Plan released in April 2018.
Does Climate Change 'Really' Pose a Threat to National Security?
The White House is planning to establish a new climate panel, headed by a well-known climate denier, to question the findings of the president's own intelligence agencies that climate change does indeed pose a national security risk.
Report Compares Emissions from Hundreds of Global Cities
The study gathers emissions reporting data from cities around the world.
Scientists Warn Mega-Storm Could Make 'Lakes' of California Cities
If you live in California, you've heard predictions of a disastrous earthquake dubbed "the big one." Now, scientists are warning of an epic rainstorm that could cause three times as much damage.
Voters to Decide the Legal Status of Lake Erie
Voters in Toledo, Ohio could grant personhood status to the polluted and abused Lake Erie.
Cities' Role in Climate Governance and Global Policy: A Dispatch from the Urban20
In a dispatch from the Urban 20 Mayoral Summit, Jocelyn Perry and Bill Burke-White write about cities' role in climate governance and public policy.
Coal, a Campaign Promise Unfulfilled
President Trump still touts coal and its return, but what’s happening in the real world suggests coal is on its way out for good.
Lyft Goes Greener With EVs
Lyft will add electric vehicles to its rental fleet and offer riders the option to request hybrid and electric vehicles.
San Antonio's Draft Climate Plan Receives Relatively Warm Reception
The public had its first chance to weigh in on a draft climate plan released in January, sending signals about the political viability of climate change action in the state of Texas.
Taking the Carbon Emissions Out of Buildings
Much of the focus on decreasing carbon emissions is on the electrical grid and vehicles. But, buildings are a huge contributor, and California is leading the way in making electrification a priority.
Gentrification in Post-Katrina New Orleans
An analysis of New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina shows that the neighborhoods most damaged were also the most likely to gentrify.
How to Treat Nature Deficit Disorder in L.A. Without Getting on a Freeway
Los Angeles is surrounded by beautiful nature in the form of hills, mountains, beaches, and deserts, but its notorious traffic can make it hell to get there. L.A. County Park Planner Clement Lau describes his favorite nearby nature doses.
Deep Economic and Racial Injustice Found in California Pollution Exposure
A new study confirms the facts of environment justice that has long been common knowledge in affected communities. Now the evidence can be mapped, as well.
L.A. Collects Green Bonafides By Canceling Plans for Natural Gas Power
The bell tolls for the Scattergood, Harbor, and Haynes power plants, after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti promises a transition to renewable energy. The city was going to spend $5 billion to transition to natural gas.
High-Speed Rail Not the Only Massive Public Works Project on the Chopping Block
California Governor Gavin Newsom wants to reduce the size of the $17 billion WaterFix project that plans for two tunnels under the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.
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
