Environment

Are Electric Cable Cars the Future of Trucking?

John Metcalfe explores a new kind of hybrid vehicle that could revolutionize trucking and cut down air contaminants in one of the most polluted regions in the country.

May 19, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

America's Rivers Under Threat

Hillary Rosner speaks with Bob Irvin, president of American Rivers, on their newly released list of the most endangered rivers in the country.

May 17, 2012 - The New York Times Green Blog

Top 10 Websites - 2012

Our annual list of the 10 best planning, design, and development websites represents some of the top online resources for news, information and research on the built environment.

May 15, 2012 - Abhijeet Chavan

CA's Hydrogen Energy Power Plant Applies For Certification

HECA, the Hydrogen Energy California project, will do much more than burn H2 to produce 300 megawatts of emission-free electricity. This U.S. Dept. of Energy-backed project will store (sequester) carbon underground in Kern County's oil fields.

May 13, 2012 - Business Wire

The Bull Behind LA's Air Pollution

So you think cars are to blame for L.A.'s air pollution problems? That might be bull excrement, literally, reports David Biello.

May 11, 2012 - Scientific American

Decline in Recycling Hurts New Jersey's Environment and Budgets

Once at the cutting edge of the recycling revolution, the last decade has seen a precipitous drop-off in recycling in New Jersey. James M. O’Neill reports on the reasons for the decline and its effect on municipal finances.

May 11, 2012 - The Record

America's Greenest Colleges

The sustainability of an institution is becoming an increasingly important factor in decisions of where to attend college. As a result, Princeton Review has teamed up with the USGBC to produce a green guide to 320 U.S. colleges, writes Ben Schiller.

May 10, 2012 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Wasteland Turned Wonderland for Rowing in NJ

After decades of use as a landfill, Overpeck Creek's recent makeover has created a dream home for rowing crews from around the New York region, reports Juliet Macur.

May 9, 2012 - The New York Times

Should Taxpayers Have to Keep Waterfront Homes Afloat?

William Brangham takes a look at Norfolk, Virginia, where rising sea levels have made major floods increasingly commonplace – and increasingly burdensome for taxpayers.

May 3, 2012 - Grist

Why is the Sierra Club Opposing Atlanta's Transportation Tax Referendum?

Atlanta area residents will go to the polls on July 31st to vote on a one-cent sales tax increase that provides an opportunity to transform mobility and growth patterns for decades to come. So why is the Sierra Club of Georgia opposing the measure?

May 2, 2012 - Streetsblog D.C.

World Fails Clean Energy Report Card

A newly released report by the International Energy Agency hands out dismal grades to the nations of the world for their efforts in developing clean energy technologies. Brad Plumer shares the results.

April 30, 2012 - The Washington Post

D.C. Makes Plans to Go Green, Starting With Rooftop Farms

Tim Craig explores one developer's efforts to start the ball rolling on the capital's new 20-year sustainability goals.

April 27, 2012 - The Wahington Post

How Does Your Air Quality Rank?

Joanna Zelman reports on the good news and bad news contained in the American Lung Association's just released study, "State of the Air 2012." If you live in California, you may not want to read on.

April 27, 2012 - Huffington Post

Are Green Cities Sitting on a Golden Goose?

Copenhagen's leadership in urban sustainability gives them more than just a shining reputation. Bruce Katz considers how cities can cash in on environmental innovation.

April 26, 2012 - The Guardian

Oakland, CA: Zero Waste by 2020?

Anna Leidreiter explores the ecological principles underlying Oakland's dramatically successful waste reduction program, and echoes the refrain that modern cities must think about consumption and waste in cyclical terms.

April 26, 2012 - The Global Urbanist

The Biggest NYC Infrastructure Project You Haven't Heard of...

NYC's long-declining waterfront industry is expected to experience a new boom time, as the expansion of the Panama Canal will allow double the cargo and much larger ships to call at New York's harbor by 2024.

April 24, 2012 - MetroFocus

Germany, Japan Increase Coal Burning Post Fukushima

Japan was not the only nation to shutter its nuclear power plants after the March 11, 2011 Fukushima earthquake and tsunami. Germany followed suit. Consequently, both nations have seen a dramatic increase in coal burning, thus increasing emissions.

April 24, 2012 - Los Angeles Times

The Surprising Environmental Benefits of Size and Density

A recent article from Richard Florida shows that the size and density of cities offers considerable advantages to the environment, beyond what is commonly understood.

April 23, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

Southern Cities that Built Around Cars are Now Building Towards Sustainability

Cities like Atlanta, that have grown up in the age of the automobile and air conditioning, are making efforts to green their environmentally unfriendly buildings and spaces, explains Emily Badger.

April 22, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

On the 42nd Anniversary of Earth Day, Checking in With Its Founder

Greg Hanscom, senior editor at Grist, speaks with Denis Hayes, who coordinated the first Earth Day in 1970, when he was 25, about the big day, green building, and his prognosis for the planet.

April 22, 2012 - Grist

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.