Environment

Most Americans Unaware of Flood Risks, Study Finds
The lack of disclosure laws in most states has led to an overvaluation of homes located in floodplains across the country.

Bill Requiring Zero-Emissions Car Sales by 2035 Passes New York Legislature
The bill also calls for increased investment in charging infrastructure and financial incentives for consumers.

Can the U.S. Preserve 30 Percent of its Lands and Waters?
The Biden administration released its preliminary report on a plan to conserve 30 percent of the nation's lands and waters by 2030, one big, ambitious component of the administration's climate plans.

Southern California's Water Conservation and Storage Efforts Paying Off
The region has poured over a billion dollars into storage infrastructure and demand management policies in anticipation of worsening drought conditions.

'Indirect Source Rule' Would Clean Up Warehouses in Southern California
Dr. Joe Lyou, CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air, walks through the legal necessity of South Coast AQMD's proposed Indirect Source Rule, which aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission technologies and fleet electrification.

How Arizona Is Preparing for the Coming Water Shortage
Arizona will lose one-fifth of its water allotment from the Colorado River in 2022 as cuts from the river's Drought Contingency Plan take effect.

Biden Administration Hits Automotive Emissions Reset Button
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rolled back Trump administration reductions of auto emission standards enacted by the Trump administration, and is taking first steps toward a new emissions agreement with automakers.

A Comment for the L.A. River Master Plan
Five themes proposed to achieve justice and sustainability for the Los Angeles River and its surrounding communities.

Florida Highway Project Faces Opposition From All Sides
Critics worry the proposed 330-mile corridor would encourage sprawl, harm wildlife, and saddle the state with decades of debt.

Your Not-So-Friendly Neighborhood Oil Well
Much of California's oil and gas extraction takes place in residential neighborhoods, posing significant health risks to entire communities.

More Need Than Ever for Drought Resilience on the Colorado River
The effects of climate change are already cutting deeply into the lifeblood of the U.S. West—the Colorado River.

Exxon Wants 'Financial Incentive' for $100 Billion Carbon Capture Hub
The company's proposed $100 billion carbon capture project would require a "large-scale" public-private partnership and could capture up to 100 million tons of carbon per year.

Houston Residents Want to Build Pocket Parks on City-Owned Lots
In a park-poor neighborhood, vacant lots provide an untapped opportunity for small-scale parks.

Finding New Uses for the 'Vine That Ate the South'
Visually striking and aggressively invasive, kudzu has been choking the Southeast for decades. Now, designers, chefs, and activists want to find ways to make it useful.

Biden Pledges Big Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions
At the "Leaders Summit on Climate" today, President Joe Biden has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States by 50-52 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2030.

Cities as a Climate Change Solution
With the urban exodus hysteria of the early pandemic in the rearview mirror, urban apologists are staking high ground on urban soil.

Opinion: Regional Growth Requires Regional Planning
To avoid the pitfalls of disconnected, car-centric suburbs, local governments must proactively plan for sustainable development in growing areas.

Opinion: Federal Infrastructure Plan Must Prioritize Transit Investment
The Biden administration must combine increased funding with policies that mandate and encourage transit-oriented planning.

Light at the End of the Tunnel Reveals the Work to Come
The latest edition of an ongoing compendia of articles trying to make sense of the deep uncertainties of the pandemic—and what it all means for the future of cities.

2021 Most Endangered Rivers List Highlights Environmental Justice
The annual list of endangered rivers created by American Rivers has always documented pollution and other threats like dam construction, but this year, the confluence of water and systemic racism warrants extra attention.
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