Environment
The Climate One-Two Punch
Like a boxer, cities are wielding their one-two punch in the fight against climate change. One punch aims to protect people from the oppressive heat, while the second punch strikes at the source of global warming by reducing overall GHG emissions.
Do Water Parks Belong in the Desert?
Three planned Phoenix-area developments have drawn criticism for wasteful water use, but how do water parks compare to other municipal uses?
Creating a New Park as a Space of Hope and Healing
The County of Los Angeles is allocating funding to help transform a former foster youth facility into a new community park in El Monte, one of the most park-poor cities in the county.
In Extreme Heat Waves, Cities Need 'Social Resilience' to Help the Most Vulnerable
This summer's heat waves wreaked havoc on physical infrastructure, but also highlighted vulnerabilities in our social support systems.
Tree Equity Score: The U.S. Needs 522 Million More Urban Trees
As climate change intensifies the urban heat island effect, poorer neighborhoods bear the brunt of tree canopy inequity.
California Wildlife Crossings Get New Funding
The state is budgeting $61 million to build wildlife crossings that increase biodiversity, help species thrive, and save both human and animal lives.
Water Thieves are Compromising California's Water Supplies
Theft by illegal marijuana grow operations is straining California's already dwindling water supplies and endangering local communities as authorities lock hydrants and restrict access to water sources.
Opinion: Replacing Nuclear Plants Amounts to 'Treadmill Decarbonization'
Shutting down one form of clean energy with plans to replace it with another keeps us running in place, or worse, falling behind on decarbonization goals.
Redlined Neighborhoods Suffer More From Extreme Heat
The recent heat wave in the Pacific Northwest highlighted how historical inequities still affect the health and well-being of low-income and marginalized communities.
Colorado River Dams Could Stop Producing Hydropower
Officials are releasing water from upstream reservoirs as water levels in the river's major reservoirs fall to historic lows.
Los Angeles County Gets a C+ on Sustainability Report Card
UCLA released a report about how land use, biodiversity, and looming environmental threats affect the health and well-being of Los Angeles County residents.
The 'INVEST in America Act' Would Help States Kick the Highway Habit
While Congress debates its bipartisan infrastructure deal, a House-approved bill, the INVEST in America Act, waits in the wings with the potential to alter the direction of transportation planning in the United States.
U.S. on Track to Reduce Emissions by 2030, Report Says
The latest edition of the Rhodium Group's "Taking Stock" report accounts for the uncertainties of Covid-19 recovery while charting the trends in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
The World's Economic Bailout Came With Huge Environmental Costs
The world collectively spent on $17 trillion economic stimulus during the pandemic. The vast majority of that spending will make climate change and other environmental pollution much worse.
Flood Buyouts Exacerbate Inequality in Harris County, Texas
New research shows that less affluent households disperse farther to find affordable homes, leading to a loss of community and social capital.
Reimagining One of Los Angeles County's Most Popular Gardens
Learn more about the new Descanso Gardens Master Plan which is visionary, thoughtful, comprehensive, and visually stunning.
Chicago Faces its Own Climate Challenges
Historically stable Lake Michigan has seen its water levels fluctuate dramatically over the last decade, posing increasingly urgent threats to lakeside property and causing severe droughts and flooding.
Biden Administration's Energy Hypocrisy Exposed
World Oil, an energy publication, slightly annotated a Bloomberg News article to expose the hypocrisy of the Biden administration: curtailing oil production at home while pushing to increase it abroad.
The Inequities of Beach Access
Over 80% of Californians live within an hour’s drive of a beach, but that does not mean that everyone has easy access to beaches.
E-Bike Sales are Booming in the U.K. and U.S.
As more people buy e-bikes for regular commuting and transportation, cycling advocates are calling for cities to beef up investment in safe infrastructure.
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
