Environment
Greening China's 'SuperBlocks'
Rapid economic and physical development are posing problems for China's environment. But a new eco-friendly development model may soon replace the heavily resource-reliant "SuperBlock" development pattern.
Connecting The Dots In Coastal Planning And Design
Climate change and rising sea levels will greatly threaten many of the world's cities and should be considered when planning and designing for coastal areas. But this article argues that planners and designers haven't yet "connected the dots".
The Fire Last Time...And The Time Before That And The Time Before That...
In this reprinted excerpt from his 1999 book The Ecology of Fear, Mike Davis recounts the fire-prone history of Malibu and shows that development there has succumbed to repeated disastrous fires.
Is Carbon Trading Just Corporate Greenwashing?
Proponents say carbon trading is an essential market-based strategy for combating global warming while critics argue that it provides cover for corporate polluters.
Neighbor Of Thirsty Georgia Faces No Water Restrictions
Droughts are causing many Georgia municipalities to tightly restrict water use, but just across the border in Alabama is a city that has plenty of water to spare.
Seattle Hits Kyoto Targets
Seattle has shown that Kyoto Protocol-level reductions in greenhouse gases are practical and achievable, and won't hurt the economy. But with car use rising, much more needs to be done.
Think About Site And Climate Before Approving Projects
In response to the latest Southern California wildfires, site locations and climate must be more carefully considered by the people who build and approve subdivisions, writes Christopher Hawthorne.
Lake Superior Threatened By Development
The health of Lake Superior is facing a serious threat from pollution and runoff caused by development along its shores, according to a panel of scientists.
Water Limits Northeast Florida Growth Beyond 2030
Groundwater supplies in Northeast Florida may only be able to support growth until 2030, when demands on water will overshoot available resources.
Report Claims More Transit Means Fewer Emissions
A government report claims that greatly expanding Britain's transportation infrastructure will not work against its goal of reducing carbon emissions, but will actually help push transit technology to be more environmentally-friendly.
Analysis of LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Projects
Criteron Planners, a certification reviewer for the LEED for Neighborhood Development program, offers its analysis of LEED-ND pilot project locations and areas.
Survey Reveals Americans Preference For Transit Development
A new survey from Smart Growth America notes that three-fourths of Americans think improving public transportation is a better long term solution than building roads.
Earth Headed For Environmental 'Tipping Point'
A recent 540-page report from the United Nations outlines the mega-problem of climate change, warning that failure to act may cause irreversible damage.
Making Communities 'Fire Smart'
Canada has already seen devastating urban forest fires, and some communities are preparing for the worst by adopting "FireSmart" principles into their bylaws.
The Sustainability Century
Leading climate change scientist Tim Flannery talks about impact of global warming, the silencing of science, micro wind turbines, geothermal energy, compressed-air cars and what the California fires have in common with those in Greece and Australia.
Tackling Climate Change With Land Use
This opinion piece looks at how technology alone can't be depended on to solve the environmental threats of climate change. Land use and development patterns must also be addressed.
Environment Faces Sacrifice As Alberta Explores Oil Reserves
Oil reserves in Canada have the mouths of investors watering, and many Canadians willing to accept the vast environmental degradation that will result from the oil's extraction.
From Red to Green: China's Awkward Embrace of Alternative Energy
China's rapid development is creating a demand for electricity that far outpaces the ability of suppliers to insert alternative energy sources -- those with fewer greenhouse gas emissions -- into the supply chain.
Flip That Brownfield
As brownfield redevelopment escapes from its "avoid-at-all-costs" stigma, Sustainable Industries offers a look at five common remediation and redevelopment projects for the country's brownfields.
The Struggle To Clean Up Cairo's Air
Cairo has one of the most severe air pollution problems in the world. Now efforts are underway to clean up the source of much of this pollution, the brick manufacturing industry.
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
