Despite the continuing violence in southern Iraq, international efforts are being made to restore what were once the largest wetlands in the 'Middle East.'
"Stretches of the former wetlands--said to have inspired the biblical story of Eden--are refilling, thanks to heavy rains earlier this year and to U.S. Army scientists and eager locals who opened floodgates and barrages....Throughout the former marshes, soils are heavily contaminated with salts and pesticides, wildlife has vanished, and native plants have given way to weedy invaders....And since the war, Iraq's many pressing needs, from security to reliable electricity, have stolen the spotlight from the marshes. Despite continuing violence in southern Iraq, groups are beginning to venture in to assess conditions on the ground."
Thanks to Connie Chung
FULL STORY: Water world
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
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
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
