Nevada
Las Vegas Paying Residents To Remove Lawns
With Lake Mead already down to two-thirds capacity, water officials in fast-growing Southern Nevada have spent over $80 million to 'encourage' residents to rip up sod and "xeriscape" their yards.
Building Incentive's Appeal Is Unlucky Break For Las Vegas
A highly favorable tax incentive for green building in Las Vegas could cost the city up to $50 million per year -- an unintentionally high price tag for a program few were expected to take advantage of.
Growth Keeps Las Vegas Water Chief Busy
This report from NPR looks at the city of Las Vegas, the high value of water in the desert, and the water chief who is trying to control the growing city's consumption.
Booming Town Seeks Water From Reluctant Neighbor
An 11-year drought in the Southwest U.S. has a growing small town in Nevada looking to pump water from nearby Beaver Dam, Arizona. Many in the Arizona town are upset over the proposed water-snatch, which they say limits their own ability to develop.
Making the Desert Bloom, But for How Long?
Mike Sabel takes an in-depth look at the future of Las Vegas, its enormous growth, and what happens when the water runs out.
Is Downtown Renewal A 'Fool's Errand'?
The Economist reports on how San Jose, CA and Las Vegas, NV, have tried -- and failed -- to revive their downtowns.
Water Wars In The New West
Las Vegas, the driest metro region in the U.S., needs water as it grows rapidly. Where is it going to come from?
Falling Transit Ridership? Just Report It Less Often!
The almost three-year-old, four-mile, privately built and run, driverless Las Vegas Monorail has seen its ridership plummet by more than 30% since increasing its adult fare by 67%, so it will report ridership numbers quarterly rather than monthly.
Citizens Feeling Left Out Of Casino Planning
Residents are upset that plans for a waterfront casino in Sparks, Nevada, were not revealed to the public early enough in the planning project. Many fear that by the time a public hearing is held, the citizen voice will have no power to make changes.
Sharing The Burden Of A Drought
In an agreement that could shape the way multi-state water sources are managed, Arizona and Nevada have formed a deal that would distribute between the states the burden of any water shortages in the Colorado River.
Regional Plan Causes Infrastructure Concerns In Reno
A proposed regional plan in Reno, Nevada, is looking to make big steps towards increasing the area's density and environmental friendliness. But opponents are worried that a rise in density will create major infrastructure problems.
A New LEED Hub In Las Vegas
An 18 million square-foot hotel and commercial resort in Las Vegas is set to become the largest LEED-certified project in the U.S. when it opens in 2009. Other builders are expected to follow the green path in Nevada, where tax breaks are generous.
Las Vegas Could See Shipping Container Homes Soon
A local architect and developer is making plans to provide affordable homes using recycled steel shipping containers.
Viva Las Vegas Architecture
A 60s-era motel lobby is getting the star treatment from local preservationists eager to save a piece of the city's former glory.
EPA's Million-Year Regulation
EPA is expected to issue a regulation for Yucca Mountain, Nevada -- the proposed site for a massive nuclear waste repository -- that will extend one million years into the future. A universal warning sign that will last 10,000 years is selected.
Friday Funny: First Advertising Visible From Space
Kentucky Fried Chicken became the world's first logo visible from outer space by unveiling a record-breaking 87,500 square feet, updated Colonel Sanders logo in the Area 51 desert. Will cities need to begin regulating space advertising?
Las Vegas Running Out Of Land
With development encroaching on mountains, Indian lands, and protected species' habitats, projections are that the city will run out of room to grow.
Utah Ranchers Fight To Block Nevada Water Pumping
Officials in Nevada have made plans to pump water in from a remote and untouched location near the state's border with Utah. Ranchers and environmentalists in Utah are not too happy about it.
Second Homes In Tahoe Basin Force Out Local Workforce
As more wealthy Bay Area residents purchase second homes to vacation in the Tahoe basin, long-time residents and workers find themselves priced-out, moving to less expensive, rural Nevada and commuting long distances, or out of the area entirely.
Series Covers 'Planning In The West'
A series of articles and reports addressing growth in the Western United States, including Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Idaho and other states.
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
