Environment

Chicago Lake Michigan Trees

Trees Are Worth the Investment

Trees improve cities by controlling temperature, absorbing water and carbon dioxide, and adding beauty.

May 12, 2018 - The Conversation

San Francisco Bay

Climate Change Already Obvious in California

We've all seen the maps that show the water rising around the edges of costal and waterfront communities as sea-level rise and climate change take effect. A new report shows the effects that have already changed the state of California.

May 12, 2018 - Sacramento Bee

Kupapa‘u Point

Friday Eye Candy: Mount Kilauea’s Volcanic Activity, Past and Present

Newly released images from NASA's terra satellite chronicles the history of lava on Hawaii's Big Island.

May 11, 2018 - Quartz

Compost Pile

Home Composting Goes to Washington

Washington, D.C. approved a set of incentives for home composting at the end of March.

May 10, 2018 - Waste Dive

Gateway Arch

Reconnecting St. Louis to its River

According a recent article in the Riverfront Times, perceptions of the Mississippi River among St. Louis residents are poor, but a collection of "river evangelists" and patient business owners are working to change that reality.

May 10, 2018 - St. Louis Riverfront Times

Colorado Water

Growth Requires New Water Supply Solutions in Colorado

Colorado cities located north of Denver consider the future of water as the region grows. New infrastructure and new partnerships will be necessary to meet demand for water in the future.

May 9, 2018 - The Denver Post

Beacon

How the Lights in Our Cities Became Too Bright

“Why are lighting designers and experts nearly unified in their belief that outdoor lighting in past years has been excessive?”

May 7, 2018 - Metropolis Magazine

View of solar panels on roofs

California to Require Solar on New Residential Buildings

The California Energy Commission will decide on new energy standards for residential construction this week.

May 6, 2018 - The Orange County Register

Governor of Wisconsin

Another EPA Rollback, Tailor-Made for Gov. Walker and Southeast Wisconsin

Politics and economics win over public health in Racine County as the EPA exempted the area around the Foxconn's massive facility from meeting stricter ozone pollution standards, saving the company from investing in smog-reducing equipment.

May 5, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Sprinkler Sprawl

As Drought Returns to Texas, Report Recommends Stricter Rules on Outdoor Water Use

A report from a coalition of nonprofits recommends, among other restrictions, allowing outdoor watering only twice per week.

May 5, 2018 - The Texas Tribune

Delay Sign

Op-Ed: 'Public Mood' Has Turned Against Cars in Cities

A survey of recent planning decisions demonstrates that cities are no longer necessarily looking to more and bigger highways to solve their traffic problems.

May 4, 2018 - The New York Times

Stormwater Infrastructure

Friday Funny: Adopt a Drain, Name a Drain

This is the first and only time you will be actively encouraged to get your mind into the gutter.

May 4, 2018 - Houston Chronicle

Tailpipe

California and 16 States Sue EPA Over Decision to Rollback Vehicle Emissions Rule

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt had announced the rollback of greenhouse gas emission and fuel economy standards on April 2. While the auto industry supports the move, not all auto executives agreed.

May 3, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Hays Woods

New Task Force to Start Planning for Pittsburgh's Newest, Largest Park

A plan for a 660-acre park, originally put forward in 2016, now has institutional backing.

May 2, 2018 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Train Buffs: Do You Know What a ZEMU Is?

In addition to commuter trains hauled by an electric or diesel-powered locomotive, there are EMUs and DMUs, and come 2021, for the first time in North America, there should be a ZEMU thanks in part to a $30 million California transportation grant.

May 1, 2018 - California Assembly Press Release

Pinksy Pollution Pod

Exhibition Offers a Taste of Air Pollution

A London art exhibit lets visitors experience a simulation of the polluted air from five cities around the world.

April 30, 2018 - CityLab

Carpool Lane Sticker

Electric Vehicles to Lose Important Perk in Southern California

One of the major reasons for purchasing an electric vehicle in California is the ability to use a carpool lane as a solo driver and use an express lane toll-free. The latter perk will soon disappear for solo-occupant EVs on two freeways.

April 30, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Bryant Park

Downtown Won't Kill You

Despite the stress and pollution of urban life, even the most dense, traffic-clogged cities may be as healthy as streetcar suburbs.

April 30, 2018 - Michael Lewyn

New York

Op-Ed: The Real Estate Industry Is Actually Fighting Emissions

Efstathios Valiotis of Alma Realty argues that the New York real estate industry has made strides to curb emissions and been a leader in fighting climate change in the city.

April 27, 2018 - Crain's New York Business

Oil Rigs

Global Reverberations from EPA Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards

Relaxed U.S. fuel economy standards, as Environmental Protection Administration chief Scott Pruitt announced on April 2, would have effects extending far beyond the United States.

April 27, 2018 - The New York Times

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.