Environment
Global Coal Consumption Grows After Three Years of Decline
The rise is attributed to Asian nations, particularly India and China, where coal-power plants are newer than in the West. It shows a growing disconnect between energy and climate goals, warned the International Energy Agency.
Trump Administration's Error-Riddled Fuel-Economy Rules
The official case for repealing car fuel-economy rules is so full of errors it will be hard to defend in court.
Chicago Wants Bike Sharing to Reach All Parts of City
The city recently received a grant that will help it grow its bike-share network, particularly into areas that have been underserved.
Energy Issues at Stake in New Mexico Land Commission Election
Unlike energy issues that will appear in the form of ballot initiatives on Tuesday in three western states, voters in New Mexico will cast their energy vote in their choice for state land commissioner, an arcane position with considerable authority.
U.S. EPA's Climate Change Website Still Missing in Action
It might take a new administration for climate change to be of concern to the federal government again.
An Urban Park Protected Through Design
Storm resilience is a key design element of Hunter’s Point South Park in New York.
State Gubernatorial Elections Have Environmental Consequences
The environment and climate change may not be top issues in the nation's hotly contested gubernatorial contests next Tuesday, but their outcomes can cause policy changes. Take North Carolina and the election of Roy Cooper, a Democrat, two years ago.
TEDx: How Will Autonomous Vehicles Transform Cities?
Nico Larco presents a TEDx Talk on the impacts AVs will have on cities, including impacts on land use, land valuation, and the environment. AVs are more than just a transportation issue, and planners need to prepare for the coming changes.
First Phase of Rail Park in Philadelphia Points to More Good Things to Come
A visit to the park highlights the creative reuse and design that is transforming an old railway into a vibrant public space.
Chicago's Low Income Neighborhoods Face Worst Pollution, Study Finds
A report from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that Chicago's South and West sides face more air pollution than the wealthier parts of the city.
Sacramento Hopes to Lead Transportation Emission Reductions by Example
As California tries to stem its increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, its capital, Sacramento, may prove to be a model for other cities as it embraces electric vehicles and strategies to reduce driving.
As Temperatures Increase, Maps Show Sea-Level Rise Will Devastate Cities
Data visualizations illustrate the catastrophic consequences of single-digit global temperature increases.
$31 Billion Hurricane Protection Plan Proposed for Texas
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has proposed a suite of coastal infrastructure projects—i.e., floodgates and seawalls—to shore up the coast of Texas against Hurricane- and sea level rise-aided water.
Solar in Michigan Facing Challenges From Net Metering Changes
New proposals targeting customers could derail solar energy’s future in the state.
When Academic Research Goes Bad
A 'misconduct investigation' decided that an industry-funded study, used by the EPA as the basis to roll back a regulation limiting the number of old engines that could be used in new truck chassis (i.e., "glider trucks"), was inaccurate.
Prime Minister Trudeau Extends Carbon Pricing Throughout Canada
A carbon tax-and-dividend plan goes into effect on January 1 in the four Canadian provinces that don't price carbon emissions. Revenues will be rebated to residents, small businesses, and public institutions as Climate Action Incentive payments.
The Most Carbon-Intensive Component of Electric Vehicles Deserves Attention
It's well known that an electric vehicle is only as clean, from a greenhouse gas perspective, as the electricity it consumes to power it. A new study finds that the electricity used in the manufacturing of car batteries also must be considered.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Continue to Decrease in the U.S.
President Trump and his cabinet have been busy rolling back environmental regulations and promoting coal burning, and now they claim credit for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions last year even greater than in 2016.
IPCC Report Sways Microsoft to Endorse Carbon Fee Initiative on Washington Ballot
A dire report on climate change issued by a United Nations panel influenced Washington-based Microsoft to take a position on a controversial state carbon fee, Initiative 1631. Oil companies are fighting back, citing wide exemptions from the fee.
As Disposal Wells Reach Capacity, EPA Considers Changes to Drilling Wastewater Standards
The oil and gas industries want to see wastewater regulations loosened as they consider pumping the water into streams and rivers.
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
