Environment

Land Use Regulations on a Collision Course in California
The future of planning in California depends on how lawyers reconcile the Housing Accountability Act with the California Environmental Quality Act.

Climate Change Law: A Primer for Cities
A report from the Sabin Center provides a legal framework for municipal-level action on climate change policy.

California Ballot Measure Could Streamline Permitting for Water Projects
A coalition of farmers and desalination supporters is collecting signatures for a California ballot measure that would fast-track construction processes for water storage projects.

The Top Urban Planning Books of 2021
Planetizen's annual list of the top urban planning books of the year is here—maintaining a tradition that dates back to 2002.

Bay Area Looks To Expand Reservoir As Drought Deepens
The expansion of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Brentwood would increase storage capacity and create a more reliable water supply for Northern California communities.

Fighting Climate Change With Green Building Standards
Localities in Canada's Durham Region are implementing green building regulations to promote sustainable development and reduce resource use.

Bill Gates' Nuclear Power Company Takes Giant Step in Cowboy State
A Wyoming coal power plant will be transformed by a company backed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to run on nuclear power. With the signing of the bipartisan infrastructure act, $1.5 billion will help produce zero-emission power by 2028

San Diego County to Pursue Partnerships to Increase Recreational Access to Reservoirs
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this week to direct the Department of Parks and Recreation to work with outside agencies to keep regional lakes and reservoirs indefinitely open for recreational activities.

Key Lessons From COP26
Observers express cautious optimism as countries come together on climate goals, but developing nations say they need more support to mitigate the impacts of climate change already in progress.

Report: San Diego Transportation Plan Won't Meet Climate Goals
A regional plan announced by the San Diego Association of Governments will fall short of the city's goals to increase alternate mode trips to 50 percent, report finds.

New Drought Plan Would Mean Voluntary Cutbacks of Colorado River Water
California, Arizona, and Nevada are hammering out a plan to address the worsening drought along the Colorado River.

More Details of the $1.2 Trillion Federal Infrastructure Bill
There's plenty of room for analysis and discussion in a $1.2 trillion bill, so Planetizen's coverage of the historic bill continues.

San Diego County Seeks Funding for River Park
San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to spend up to $500,000 for a consultant who will seek out funding to complete the San Diego River Park.

Report: Embarcadero Needs to Rise 7 Feet to Resist Sea-Level Rise
A bombshell report details the adaptation measures that will be necessary to keep San Francisco's Embarcadero high and dry as the climate changes and sea levels rise.

The 15 Most Popular National Parks
America is home to 63 wonderful national parks. Find out which ones had the most visitors in 2020.

Partnership Formed to Create 100 Acres of New Park Space in Los Angeles
New park spaces to meet the needs of underserved communities are being planned along the Los Angeles River.

Assessing and Reversing Environmental Injustice in New York City
New York City launched its first ever environmental justice study just before the Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. The study took on a new urgency throughout the months and years that followed.

Key Details of the $1.2 Trillion Federal Infrastructure Bill
With President Joe Biden scheduled to sign the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act today in Washington, D.C., Planetizen shares insight into the fine print of the historic bill.

Grant Program Will Pay California Farmers To Repurpose Fallow Land
A new state grant program will help California farmers convert idle land to new purposes in an effort to mitigate the environmental and economic effects of drought on the state's Central Valley.

Proposed Toronto Highways Raise Environmental Concerns
Opponents of two new planned highways in greater Toronto argue the construction of new roads is 'short-sighted at best' and would threaten the region's greenbelt areas.
Pagination
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