Environment

Greener Taxis in NYC

Just in time for the transit strike, we learn that Big Apple taxis will be cleaner and more energy efficient -- and the SUVs should be able to handle the increased passenger loads as well.

December 22, 2005 - Sustainable Industries

How Kyoto Protocol is Transforming The Energy Business World-wide

The Kyoto Protocol is transforming the energy business across the world -- some areas will profit while others miss out.

December 21, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

Boise River Greenbelt Expansion Envisioned

The acclaimed Boise River Greenbelt will connect parks, downtown, neighborhoods and surrounding cities. Greenbelt advocates plan for exapansion of popular recreation amentities.

December 20, 2005 - The Idaho Statesman

The New Field Of 'Road Ecology'

In road ecology, transportation engineers and biologists cooperate on projects so fewer animals are struck by cars.

December 20, 2005 - The Christian Science Monitor

First 'Smog Fee' On New Development

San Joaquin Valley, CA, air quality officials may become the first in the nation to force builders to pay air pollution fees for new development.

December 20, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

Protest Over Development in Rural China Turns Deadly

The fatal rioting over a proposed coal plant shows that rural residents who are bearing the environmental and social costs of China's hyper-development may be running out of patience.

December 19, 2005 - The New York Times

Do Social-Environmental Economic Performance Indicators Work?

A new report reviews how well the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Economic Performance Indicators have been applied by 33 companies, including GE, McDonald's, Novo Nordisk, Shell, Starbucks, and Toyota.

December 17, 2005 - GreenBiz

Alaska's Shrinking Lakes

Researchers from at the University of Alaska Fairbanks find that Alaska's lakes are shrinking at a dramatic rate.

December 17, 2005 - KTUU.com

Developers To Pay For Air Pollution Caused By Sprawl

Air pollution control meant looking at tailpipes and smokestacks. Not anymore. San Joaquin Valley is first in nation to take into account air pollution created by urban sprawl.

December 16, 2005 - The Fresno Bee

Hurricane Katrina Swept Away Environmental Rules

In the name of rebuilding, government agencies waived environmental rules in the hurricane-hit Gulf Coast.

December 16, 2005 - Abhijeet Chavan

EPA Considers Easing Clean Air Act

To reduce its "regulatory burden" the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers exempting some companies from reporting small releases of toxic pollutants.

December 16, 2005 - The Washington Post

Farmland or McMansions?

Suburban and exurban developments are pushing traditional land uses aside at a rate of more than a million acres of rural land per year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

December 15, 2005 - Common Dreams

Cities Adopt Cheaper, Simpler Recycling

Single-bin system spreads to 22 states, but critics say it creates more trash.

December 14, 2005 - The Christian Science Monitor

A More Accurate Forecast of Oil Prices...

Changing its earlier predicts, the Energy Dept. forecasts oil will remain at $50 a barrel for years and may boost the use of fuel-efficient cars and alternate fuels.

December 14, 2005 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Poor, Blacks, More Likely To Breathe Polluted Air

Twelve years after a government initiative to address environmental injustices, AP analysis of government pollution, health and census data suggests that little has changed.

December 14, 2005 - CNN.com

Combating Global Warming Needs U.S. Participation

A foot-dragging U.S. was not able to bring the process at the recent Montreal Climate Change Conference to a halt.

December 13, 2005 - The New York Times

U.S. Part Of Global Warming Problem

At the Montreal Global Warming Conference, the United States continues its petulant stand.

December 13, 2005 - The Houston Chronicle

Studying Surburbia

Suburban ecosystems are one of the last frontiers for scientists trying to understand how people change the natural world.

December 11, 2005 - The Mercury News

Southern California Restores Its Natural Past

At least five major sites in Southern California are working hard to restore and maintain nature preserves.

December 11, 2005 - The Los Angeles Times

Gas Tax Proposed In California To Reach Global Warming Goals

Governor Schwarzenegger's Climate Action Team drafts a report calling for a "public goods charge" (don't call it a gas tax!)with the goal of reducing greenhouse gases, as opposed to reducing congestion

December 10, 2005 - San Jose Mercury News

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.