Environment
Energy Reliability on the Ballot in Texas
Texans will decide on November 7 whether to subsidize electricity generation to strengthen the power grid to prevent blackouts, but only with the construction of new natural gas power plants.
Austin Reveals New Zero Waste Plan
The city aims to eliminate the majority of landfill waste by 2040.
Urban Golf Courses: Publicly Subsidized, Privately Enjoyed
City golf courses, paid for by public dollars, are rarely used by the vast majority of residents. Some advocates want to see them opened to the public as parks or repurposed for housing.
Feds Weigh Expansion of San Gabriel Mountains National Monument
The White House is sending a top-level cabinet member who oversees the U.S. Forest Service to the San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles to hear public comments on the proposed expansion the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
How Extreme Heat Impacts Heart Health
A higher number of high heat days correlates with more cardiovascular deaths, according to new research.
East River Floodgates Rising in NYC
A tour of new infrastructure designed to protect the city’s East Side from catastrophic flooding.
How Cities Can Support Urban Gardeners
Urban agriculture can provide green spaces, fresh food, and healthy activities, but urban gardeners and foragers face many obstacles.
Norway’s EV Boom Could Entrench Car Dependency
The Scandinavian country is a pioneer when it comes to EV adoption, but there are downsides.
How Urban Design Impacts Public Health
With more and more people living in cities, designing equitably healthy urban spaces becomes a key question for policymakers.
The Life and Death of American Dams
Many of the nation’s largest dam projects are reaching the end of their useful lives, helped along by nature.
State Trust Lands Offer Opportunity for Affordable Housing
Western states that hold millions of acres in land trusts are working to turn some of them into affordable housing.
Bringing Circularity to the Construction Industry
Using more recycled materials could dramatically reduce carbon emissions and waste from construction projects.
Arizona Town Looks for New Water Sources, Insists Development ‘Full Steam Ahead’
While many Southwest cities are looking for ways to conserve water and limit growth as water supplies become strained, one town is pressing ahead with rapid development.
California State Law Calls on Coastal Regions to Create Resiliency Plans
Cities and counties at risk of flooding and erosion from sea level rise can access state funding to implement coastal resiliency plans.
San Francisco Required to Change Restrictive Housing Approval Policies
State agencies want the city to speed up its alarmingly slow permitting process.
New Riverfront Promenade Opens in Detroit
The East Riverfront now provides 3.5 miles of contiguous parks and trails on the formerly industrial waterfront.
When it Comes to Vehicle Travel, Less is More
Motor vehicle travel provides many benefits, but also imposes large costs on users and communities. With better planning people can drive less, rely more on non-auto modes, enjoy more access, and be better off overall as a result.
Former Landfill Doubles as Public Park, Energy Producer
Once the world’s largest dump, Freshkills Park now offers new city park space and powers local households with biofuel.
Misuse of Environmental Laws Betrays Their Intent
How laws written to protect natural resources and biodiversity are being reinterpreted by NIMBY groups to block development.
Vehicle Miles Traveled as a Metric for Sustainability
Motor vehicle travel benefits users but also imposes large economic, social, and environmental costs. With better planning, our needs can be met with less vehicle travel. A new ITE report describes why and how to optimize the amount we drive.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
