Environment
California Faces Intense Heat Wave, Power Shutoffs
The state is bracing for a heat dome that will bring temperatures into the 120s and little nighttime relief.
Cities Replacing Fireworks With Drone Shows
Fireworks shows often lead to lost pets, disruptions for local wildlife, polluted water, and wildfires. Drone shows offer a safer celebration.
Minnesota Law Calls for Climate Impact Assessment for Highway Projects
The state’s department of transportation will have to consider potential greenhouse gas emissions and alter projects that don’t meet emissions reduction targets.
Will the Supreme Court’s Chevron Decision Impact Environmental Regulations?
By overturning the Chevron doctrine, the Supreme Court stripped federal agencies like the EPA of final say when interpreting ambiguous legislative policies, leaving future decisions up to judges.
Oil Industry Withdraws Ballot Measure, Shifts to Legal Fight Over California Well Restrictions
California's oil industry has withdrawn its ballot measure challenging a law that restricts oil and gas wells near homes and schools, opting to contest the law in court.
LA County Parks Celebrates 80 Years with Free Summer Programs
The department has launched the ‘Let’s Play Outside’ campaign as part of its celebration of eight decades of fostering connections between LA County residents and the great outdoors.
Vancouver City Council Eliminates Parking Mandates, Supports TOD
In a significant step for more diverse housing and transit-friendly development, the Vancouver City Council eliminated parking minimums and adopted a Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA) policy.
Repurposing Oil Fields Into Parks: Advancing Just Transition and Community Well-being
The concept of a "just transition" extends beyond workers to encompass broader social and environmental dimensions, including the restoration and regeneration of land and communities affected by oil extraction activities.
The Heat Is On: Rising Temperatures Strain Urban Infrastructure
This summer is predicted to be one of the hottest on record, and heat waves will likely put physical and social infrastructure to the test.
SCOTUS Watch: Power of Federal Agencies Likely to be Restricted
A 1984 landmark Supreme Court ruling empowering federal agencies to interpret statutes when there is uncertainty is being challenged. The outcome will impact federal regulatory authority throughout government, particularly environmental protection.
California Allocates $12.5 Million for Landfill-to-Park Transformation
The grant will help to convert a 142-acre site, a portion of the former Puente Hills Landfill, into Los Angeles County's first new regional park in over 30 years.
Mountain Road Collapses Force Isolation, Long Commutes
Threats to aging transportation infrastructure are putting remote communities at risk of being cut off from essential services.
Extreme Heat’s Far-Reaching Impacts
Heat is associated with worsened mental health, poorer test scores, and even higher car crash rates.
Managing Unsheltered Homelessness in San Jose
As California and other Western states await a SCOTUS ruling that will greatly affect how cities deal with tent encampments, a new stakeholder is causing big changes in how Northern California's largest city deals with its unsheltered population.
California's State Library Park Pass Program Renewed Amid Budget Challenges
Californians can continue to access state parks for free by borrowing passes from their local libraries, thanks to the renewal of a state program.
Alabama Funds Roof Replacements to Stave off Insurance Crisis
The Fortified roof program is helping tens of thousands of homeowners make their homes more resilient against hurricane damage.
Congestion Pricing Compromise?
A CBS News New York report suggests that Gov. Kathy Hochul is considering lifting her ‘indefinite pause’ on the Manhattan congestion pricing project if the $15 toll was lowered. Litigation threatened by the NYC comptroller may be a factor.
Study Highlights Equity Gaps in California's EV Incentives
A UCLA research team identifies gaps in incentive uptake and electric vehicle registration rates in disadvantaged communities.
Utah and Wyoming Sue BLM Over Conservation Rule
The states allege the agency overstepped federal regulations in its attempt to boost conservation efforts on public lands.
Revitalizing Sepulveda Basin: A Green Vision for An Urban Oasis
Developed through the input of thousands of community members, this is the first comprehensive plan by the City of Los Angeles for the 2,000-acre basin.
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
