Daniel Akst argues that large retail stores such as Wal-Mart are good for the environment.
"From an environmental perspective, there is in fact much to dislike about the chains...My own view is that, from a save-the-earth standpoint at least, shopping at these stores isn't evil. It may even make the environment better...
Stores like Wal-Mart and Target offer one-stop shopping for families, surely obviating many car trips. By offering only giant quantities, Sam's Club minimizes both shopping trips and packaging -- it doesn't even offer grocery bags...
Large chains are also easier to monitor -- and pressure -- than a thousand local lumberyards or toy stores, in part because they are public companies, with all the disclosure and press scrutiny that that entails...
..for environmental and other reasons, it is much better not to [buy local]...By bringing economies of scale to the distribution of goods and leveraging the differing productive capacities of nations, modern mass merchandisers have found a good way to make the world richer."
FULL STORY: The Wrong Target

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

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Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

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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
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