World
Global issues, U.N., etc.

Cities Replacing Fireworks With Drone Shows
Fireworks shows often lead to lost pets, disruptions for local wildlife, polluted water, and wildfires. Drone shows offer a safer celebration.

Addressing AI’s Massive Energy Needs
How policy can support ‘efficiency-forward’ approaches to AI growth.

New TV Series Highlights Sustainable Aquaculture
Hope in the Water explores the groundbreaking work of dedicated fishers, aqua farmers, and scientists who are seeking to harvest aquatic species to feed our growing population while protecting the oceans.

Cities Awarded for Data-Driven Projects
The What Cities Works Certification recognizes cities for using data to solve real problems.

Nation's First Nuclear Power Plant in Nearly Half a Century Breaks Ground in Wyoming
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had shovel-in-hand for the groundbreaking of his company's small-scale nuclear power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, on June 10.

How Social Infrastructure Gets More People on Bikes
Bike infrastructure isn’t just about bike lanes: safe, supportive spaces where adults can learn to ride and repair bikes are a key component.

Cities Are Interested in Adopting Generative AI. What’s Stopping Them?
Only a fraction of cities interested in using generative artificial intelligence to enhance how they operate have made moves to adopt to the technology. What are the obstacles to adoption and what can be learned from local governments who’ve already taken the leap?

How Zoning Affects Greenhouse Gas Emissions
As the urgency of the climate crisis increases, a paper in the Notre Dame Law Review argues that increased density is not a universally effective strategy to reduce emissions and that different strategies are needed for low-carbon places versus high-carbon ones.

Cohousing as a Solution to High Housing Costs and Social Isolation
Living arrangements designed to encourage social interaction and provide shared facilities can lower the cost of living and build more friendly, supportive neighborhoods.

Planting for the Future: The Urban Trees of Tomorrow
How urban forest managers are preparing urban tree canopies for tomorrow’s climates.

AI’s Thirst for Energy Threatens Electric Grids
The rapidly growing demand for electricity could lead to shortages and is already impacting where data centers are built.

Study: AI Can Help Build Support for Car-Free, Car-Lite Infrastructure
Study participants were more likely to support sustainable transportation projects when shown AI images of what the completed real-life infrastructure would look like, suggesting generative AI could be a useful tool for planners.

Book Review: Shifting Focus from Car-Free to Car-Lite Cities
Instead of aiming to make cities better for bikes, a new book argues we should be making cities better with bikes using a car-lite, not a car-free approach.

What Does Sustainability Mean in Space?
NASA is developing a sustainability strategy to clean up space debris and plan for the future as near-earth orbit becomes more cluttered.

Just Transition: Bringing Equity to the Clean Energy Conversation
A new report from the Environmental Defense Fund offers a roadmap for countries, energy companies, and other stakeholders to navigate the complexities of transitioning to clean energy while ensuring equity at every step of the process.

How Urban Form Impacts Housing Affordability
The way we design cities affects housing costs differently than you might think.

Balancing Road Diets With Emergency Access
Examples from the Netherlands show how bike lanes and traffic calming can coexist with effective emergency response.

Industry Leaders: Automakers Must Cut EV Battery Weight in Half
Experts call for lighter batteries, diversification of fuels, and a shift away from private cars and towrad public transit.

Elevating the ‘Small Stuff’ in Urban Design
Chuck Wolfe recaps arguments in favor of increased attention to incidentals — from benches to bollards — in urban development practices.

Shifting the Male Perspective on City Planning
Urban spaces and transportation system are largely designed and managed by men, but cities are starting to recognize the unique challenges women and children face.
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