Climate Change

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.

Lumber Prices Spike; Housing Prices Follow
The cost of lumber has more than doubled in the past year, according to industry sources, adding more than $24,000 to the cost of a new home.

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.

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.

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.

GOP Counterproposal Aims to Restore the Infrastructure Status Quo
Of the $568 billion in spending proposed by the "Republican Roadmap," $299 billion would go to infrastructure for cars.

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.

Drought Takes Hold of the American West
The megadrought continues, with contingency plans differing by location.

6 Principles to Manage Wildfire Risk With Effective Housing Policy
The connection between housing policy and climate change is made clear by the increasing damage of wildfires in California.

$536 Million for Wildfire Prevention Proposed in California
After a series of horrible fire seasons and another lackluster rainy season, the state of California is in need of new approaches to wildfire suppression and prevention.

France to Ban Flights for Trips That Can Be Made by Train
One form of climate action gained major momentum in Europe over the weekend.

Falling Transit Ridership 'Disastrous' for Greenhouse Gas Reductions
With ridership at record lows and agencies struggling to stay afloat, public transit around the world will need robust investment to recover after the pandemic.

The Six Principles of Community CoDesign
The methodology calls for authentic participation and a willingness to engage stakeholders in a "collaborative and empathic" placemaking process.

Minnesota and California Take Steps to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled
The two states both approved measures that will set VMT reduction goals and create enforcement mechanisms to promote more climate-friendly policies.

The Benefits of Covering Canals With Solar Panels
Research claims that installing solar panels over California's extensive canals could greatly expand the state's renewable energy production and reduce evaporation.

Anticipation, Costs Rise as Details of Biden's Infrastructure Plan Emerge
The Biden administration's highly anticipated infrastructure spending plan is expected to go public this week. After weeks of speculation about the size and focus of the plan, recent reports reveal a growing package and new revenue streams.

Canadian Supreme Court Upholds Carbon Tax
A historic ruling in Canada allows the federal government to supersede the efforts of provinces in fighting the causes of climate change.

Seattle's 'Electrification Blueprint' Sets Ambitious Goals
The city's new transportation plan focuses on eliminating carbon emissions in its transportation sector, reducing congestion, and boosting public transit.
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